Maheen Hannan 6709 11049
BTEC LEVEL 3 IT UNIT 9: ASSESSMENT 1
Computer network theory.
ST FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE
0
,Maheen Hannan 6709 11049
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2
What is the assessment about? .......................................................................................................... 2
The context. ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Task 1 ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Describe types of networks available (and how they relate to particular standards and protocols).
(P1) ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
The context. .................................................................................................................................... 3
Networks ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Topologies ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Standards and protocols ................................................................................................................. 8
Access methods .............................................................................................................................. 9
Task 2 .................................................................................................................................................... 10
Describe why different network standards and protocols are necessary. (P2) ................................ 10
The context. .................................................................................................................................. 10
Explanation of what protocols are. ............................................................................................... 10
Explanation of what standards are. .............................................................................................. 10
OSI 7 Layer .................................................................................................................................... 11
TCP-IP 4 Layer ............................................................................................................................... 13
Main protocols .............................................................................................................................. 14
Needed standards ......................................................................................................................... 14
Task 3 .................................................................................................................................................... 16
Explain the key components for client workstations to connect to a network and access network
resources and the functions of interconnection devices. (P3 & P4)................................................. 16
The context. .................................................................................................................................. 16
Practical uses of interconnection devices. .................................................................................... 16
Requirements for a client workstation to connect to a network. ................................................ 18
Media Types .................................................................................................................................. 21
Task 4 .................................................................................................................................................... 27
Compare benefits and disadvantages of peer-to-peer network and client/server networks. ......... 27
The context. .................................................................................................................................. 27
Peer-to-peer vs client/server networks. ....................................................................................... 27
1
,Maheen Hannan 6709 11049
Introduction
What is the assessment about?
This is an assessment for the Level 3 BTECT IT course Unit 9. This unit is based about computer
networks. Throughout this assessment I will show an understanding of the different types of
network, the associated protocols and standards and the key components required for a network.
The context.
Screw-Up fixings are a medium-sized organisation. They manufacture and distribute a wide
range of screws, bolts and other fastenings to building and DIY industries. They have grown
considerably over the last ten or so years, but in recent times they have seen very little
growth, and some of their competitions have done considerably better than them during
the preceding year.
Indeed, Screw-Up Fixings are acutely aware that one of their major clients has started to
order products from a competitor. They understand that they need to move quickly to try to
win the business back, and more importantly, prevent the loss of any further business to
their competition.
The board of directors believe that recent downturn in business is due to the company
being slow to adopt new technology, and, as none of the board has a technological
background, you have been assigned the task of advertising the board on the best ways of
using technology to make their business more effective.
You are required to use a word processing and other appropriate presentation packages to
demonstrate your network knowledge to the board of directors. This will increase your
reputation and confidence amongst all the staff at Screw-up Fixings.
2
, Maheen Hannan 6709 11049
Task 1
Describe types of networks available (and how they relate to particular standards
and protocols). (P1)
The context.
1) Explain using diagrams where necessary, the different types of networks available
and topologies used (include WAN technologies).
2) Explain how each type of network relates to particular network standards and
protocols.
3) Describe network access methods, Ethernet and Token Ring.
Networks
LAN
LAN is a local area network that connects computers with in a building or organisation. This
allows computers to communicate and share resources with each other, they are usually
used within schools and colleges because in a LAN, devices and resources can be shared. For
example, in the LAN a device such as a printer can be shared by all or most of the computers
connected to the network. A LAN is only accessible by those inside the building or
organisation and cannot be accessed for outside. Making a LAN is fairly cheap, to create a
LAN all that is needed are Ethernet cables, a network access method (or an adapter) and a
central hub.
WAN
WAN is a wide area network that connects several LANs from organisations or buildings.
This allows computers to communicate and share resources with each other from different
3
BTEC LEVEL 3 IT UNIT 9: ASSESSMENT 1
Computer network theory.
ST FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE
0
,Maheen Hannan 6709 11049
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2
What is the assessment about? .......................................................................................................... 2
The context. ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Task 1 ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Describe types of networks available (and how they relate to particular standards and protocols).
(P1) ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
The context. .................................................................................................................................... 3
Networks ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Topologies ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Standards and protocols ................................................................................................................. 8
Access methods .............................................................................................................................. 9
Task 2 .................................................................................................................................................... 10
Describe why different network standards and protocols are necessary. (P2) ................................ 10
The context. .................................................................................................................................. 10
Explanation of what protocols are. ............................................................................................... 10
Explanation of what standards are. .............................................................................................. 10
OSI 7 Layer .................................................................................................................................... 11
TCP-IP 4 Layer ............................................................................................................................... 13
Main protocols .............................................................................................................................. 14
Needed standards ......................................................................................................................... 14
Task 3 .................................................................................................................................................... 16
Explain the key components for client workstations to connect to a network and access network
resources and the functions of interconnection devices. (P3 & P4)................................................. 16
The context. .................................................................................................................................. 16
Practical uses of interconnection devices. .................................................................................... 16
Requirements for a client workstation to connect to a network. ................................................ 18
Media Types .................................................................................................................................. 21
Task 4 .................................................................................................................................................... 27
Compare benefits and disadvantages of peer-to-peer network and client/server networks. ......... 27
The context. .................................................................................................................................. 27
Peer-to-peer vs client/server networks. ....................................................................................... 27
1
,Maheen Hannan 6709 11049
Introduction
What is the assessment about?
This is an assessment for the Level 3 BTECT IT course Unit 9. This unit is based about computer
networks. Throughout this assessment I will show an understanding of the different types of
network, the associated protocols and standards and the key components required for a network.
The context.
Screw-Up fixings are a medium-sized organisation. They manufacture and distribute a wide
range of screws, bolts and other fastenings to building and DIY industries. They have grown
considerably over the last ten or so years, but in recent times they have seen very little
growth, and some of their competitions have done considerably better than them during
the preceding year.
Indeed, Screw-Up Fixings are acutely aware that one of their major clients has started to
order products from a competitor. They understand that they need to move quickly to try to
win the business back, and more importantly, prevent the loss of any further business to
their competition.
The board of directors believe that recent downturn in business is due to the company
being slow to adopt new technology, and, as none of the board has a technological
background, you have been assigned the task of advertising the board on the best ways of
using technology to make their business more effective.
You are required to use a word processing and other appropriate presentation packages to
demonstrate your network knowledge to the board of directors. This will increase your
reputation and confidence amongst all the staff at Screw-up Fixings.
2
, Maheen Hannan 6709 11049
Task 1
Describe types of networks available (and how they relate to particular standards
and protocols). (P1)
The context.
1) Explain using diagrams where necessary, the different types of networks available
and topologies used (include WAN technologies).
2) Explain how each type of network relates to particular network standards and
protocols.
3) Describe network access methods, Ethernet and Token Ring.
Networks
LAN
LAN is a local area network that connects computers with in a building or organisation. This
allows computers to communicate and share resources with each other, they are usually
used within schools and colleges because in a LAN, devices and resources can be shared. For
example, in the LAN a device such as a printer can be shared by all or most of the computers
connected to the network. A LAN is only accessible by those inside the building or
organisation and cannot be accessed for outside. Making a LAN is fairly cheap, to create a
LAN all that is needed are Ethernet cables, a network access method (or an adapter) and a
central hub.
WAN
WAN is a wide area network that connects several LANs from organisations or buildings.
This allows computers to communicate and share resources with each other from different
3
