Understanding Networks

Question 1

Internet

Answer 1

A group of interconnected networks

Question 2

World Wide Web (5 bullet points)

Answer 2

A collection of web pages
Stored on computers all over the world
Accessed via the internet
No central storage
No owner

Question 3

URL

Answer 3

URL is a web address. Each URL / web address is unique

Question 4

Domain

Answer 4

A unique address to identify the website (e.g. –> .nl .fr .de .gov .edu .org .cz .es .com)

Question 5

IP Address

Answer 5

It’s a computers own unique address. Data can be sent to these address to display a web page, for example

Question 6

DNS (Domain Name Server)

Answer 6

A DNS converts a web address/URL into the correct IP address for the computer that the website sits on

Question 7

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)

Answer 7

HTTP defines the rules used by web browsers and servers to exchange information

Question 8

Data packets

Answer 8

Data transmitted over the Internet is broken down into smaller chunks or packets to be sent. The destination and sender’s addresses are added. Each packet is numbered, sent separately, then put in the right order again at the other end

Question 9

Download

Answer 9

Copying data from one device to another that is usually smaller (usually done via the internet)

Question 9

Bandwidth

Answer 9

The amount of data that can be carried at a time

Question 9

Packet switching

Answer 9

Packets take the fastest route to their destination. This can differ for each packet. All the packets are then reassembled to the proper order at the destination.

Question 10

Upload

Answer 10

Transferring data from one device to another, often to one that is larger or somewhere else (server, the internet)

Question 11

Wireless connectivity (6 bullet points)

Answer 11

Must be close to a WiFi hotspot or router
Slower than a wired connection
Interference from walls and furniture
Greater security risk
No need to be physically connected
Can connect mobile devices

Question 11

Broadband

Answer 11

A high-speed connection to the internet that has replaced the use of dial-up connections (Fibre optic glass thread is used in modern cables, with up to 1,000 fibres in a single cable).

Question 12

Buffering

Answer 12

Buffering occurs when a movie or music track plays faster than it downloads. Your computer stores some of the file in a buffer until it can begin playing the whole video or track

Question 13

Ring topology (1 advantage, 3 disadvantages)

Answer 13

Advantages:
- One-way system so not affected by heavy traffic
Disadvantages:
- Cable failure anywhere will affect the whole network
- Need to ‘break’ the ring in order to add a new device
- All devices must be switched on

Question 13

Bus topology (2 advantages, 2 disadvantages)

Answer 13

Advantages:
- The simplest and cheapest to install and extend
- Failure of one device does not affect the rest of the bus network
Disadvantages:
- If the main bus cable fails then the whole network will fail
- Performance of the network slows down rapidly with more nodes or heavy network traffic

Question 14

Star topology (3 advantages, 2 disadvantages)

Answer 14

Advantages:
- Fastest performance
- Easy to install and to expand with extra nodes
- A failure in the minor cables will only affect one node
Disadvantages:
- Uses the most cable which makes it more expensive
- An extra hub or switch further increases the cost

Question 15

LAN (Local Area Networks, 3 bullet points + examples)

Answer 15

A network that covers a small geographical area
Usually operate on a single location or within a
single organisation
Use cables and radio waves to connect
Examples include:
- School network
- A home or small business network

Question 16

WAN (Wide Area Networks, 2 bullet points + examples)

Answer 16

A network that exists over a large-scale geographical area
Uses cables, telephone lines, satellites and radio waves
to connect
Examples include:
- International banking systems and ATM machines
- The Internet

Question 17

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Networks)

Answer 17

A wireless computer network that links 2 or more devices to form a local area network within a limited area

Question 18

NIC (Network Interface Card, 3 bullet points)

Answer 18

• can be wired or wireless
• essential to connect to a network
• inside computers, tablets and mobile phones

Question 19

Router (2 bullet points)

Answer 19

• Traffic policeman for data packets
• Sends them on their way in the best direction

Question 20

Hub (2 bullet points)

Answer 20

• Central, multi-plug adaptor for computers and printers in a network
• Enables communication between devices

Question 21

Switch (2 bullet points)

Answer 21

• Smart multi-plug adaptor
• Reduces network traffic and increases speed