GCSE Computing - Networks Exam Practice Questions with complete Solutions 100% Pass
LAN - Answers Local Area Network. A group of connected computers that are owned and operated by a
single organisation. Covers a small geographical area such as a house, office or school. Used to share
resources such as printers, enable applications such as email and to make management of computers
easier.
WAN - Answers Wide Area Network. A network that is used to connect sites that are far apart from each
other such as connecting shops to the head office.
WAP - Answers Wireless Access Point. A device to enable WiFi enabled computers to connect to a LAN.
IP - Answers Internet Protocol. The rules that govern how packets of data are routed across a network.
MAC - Answers Media Access Control. A way to uniquely identify a device on a network. The MAC
address is assigned to a device at the time it is manufactured and cannot be changed.
Topology - Answers A map of computers on a network.
Server - Answers Any computer that provides services to others on a network. Typical server roles are e-
mail server, web server, file and print server and database server.
Peer to Peer - Answers Type of network where all computers can be both clients and servers. Usually
used in smaller installations where the cost of a dedicated server would be too high.
Protocol - Answers Set of rules for structuring and/or sending data on a network.
Client / Server - Answers A type of network where roles are either to provide services or to access them.
The computers that provide services are called servers and those that use these services are called
clients. Common examples would be a web server serving web pages and a browser as the client, a mail
server and a mail client or a database server and an application.
Bus Network - Answers One of several topologies. All devices are connected to a single 'backbone' cable.
Advantages: Low cost, easy to install, small quantities of cable required, easy to extend.
Disadvantages: Single point of failure (the backbone), difficult to troubleshoot, performance drops off as
traffic increases.
Star Network - Answers One of several topologies and the most common on modern LANs. Devices are
connected to one (of possibly several) hubs and switches. All collision issues are dealt with by the hub or
switch.
, Advantages: Failure of device or cable only affects a single device, consistent performance, easy to
extend, secure.
Disadvantages: Lots of cable required so expensive, hub or switch failure can cause major problems (but
even these are fairly easy to overcome!).
Switch - Answers A device that enables several computers to connect to each other and exchange data
(you also need cables!). A switch is different to a hub in that it knows what devices are connected on
which cables and will only send the data along the cables that have destination devices attached to
them. Reduces the chances of collisions.
Hub - Answers A device that enables several computers to connect to each other and exchange data
(you also need cables!). A hub receives data along one cable and transmits it across ALL the others
connected to it. This can lead to collisions.
Router - Answers A network device that will connect a LAN to a WAN, or a WAN to another WAN. The
router makes decisions about which connection data should be sent along.
Network Interface Card
NIC - Answers A NIC is a device that is added to a computer to enable it to communicate with other
devices on a network. A NIC can be wired are wireless. Many devices have a NIC built in to them.
Wireless Network - Answers A network that allows devices to pass data between them using radio
waves. The most common standard for LANs is WiFi but Bluetooth and NFC are other types. When
roaming you could use the 3G or 4G wireless standards.
Advantages: Mobility
Disadvantages: Insecure (anyone can listen to your wireless signals), short range (approx. 50m).
Wired Network - Answers A network where the data passing between devices is guided through a
transmission medium such as copper cable or fibre optics. Most LANs use the RJ45 / Cat5e standards
and WAN connections are mainly created using fibre optics.
Advantages: Range from 100's to 1000's of metres, secure, reliable.
Disadvantages: Cables can be difficult and/or expensive to install, lack of mobility.
LAN - Answers Local Area Network. A group of connected computers that are owned and operated by a
single organisation. Covers a small geographical area such as a house, office or school. Used to share
resources such as printers, enable applications such as email and to make management of computers
easier.
WAN - Answers Wide Area Network. A network that is used to connect sites that are far apart from each
other such as connecting shops to the head office.
WAP - Answers Wireless Access Point. A device to enable WiFi enabled computers to connect to a LAN.
IP - Answers Internet Protocol. The rules that govern how packets of data are routed across a network.
MAC - Answers Media Access Control. A way to uniquely identify a device on a network. The MAC
address is assigned to a device at the time it is manufactured and cannot be changed.
Topology - Answers A map of computers on a network.
Server - Answers Any computer that provides services to others on a network. Typical server roles are e-
mail server, web server, file and print server and database server.
Peer to Peer - Answers Type of network where all computers can be both clients and servers. Usually
used in smaller installations where the cost of a dedicated server would be too high.
Protocol - Answers Set of rules for structuring and/or sending data on a network.
Client / Server - Answers A type of network where roles are either to provide services or to access them.
The computers that provide services are called servers and those that use these services are called
clients. Common examples would be a web server serving web pages and a browser as the client, a mail
server and a mail client or a database server and an application.
Bus Network - Answers One of several topologies. All devices are connected to a single 'backbone' cable.
Advantages: Low cost, easy to install, small quantities of cable required, easy to extend.
Disadvantages: Single point of failure (the backbone), difficult to troubleshoot, performance drops off as
traffic increases.
Star Network - Answers One of several topologies and the most common on modern LANs. Devices are
connected to one (of possibly several) hubs and switches. All collision issues are dealt with by the hub or
switch.
, Advantages: Failure of device or cable only affects a single device, consistent performance, easy to
extend, secure.
Disadvantages: Lots of cable required so expensive, hub or switch failure can cause major problems (but
even these are fairly easy to overcome!).
Switch - Answers A device that enables several computers to connect to each other and exchange data
(you also need cables!). A switch is different to a hub in that it knows what devices are connected on
which cables and will only send the data along the cables that have destination devices attached to
them. Reduces the chances of collisions.
Hub - Answers A device that enables several computers to connect to each other and exchange data
(you also need cables!). A hub receives data along one cable and transmits it across ALL the others
connected to it. This can lead to collisions.
Router - Answers A network device that will connect a LAN to a WAN, or a WAN to another WAN. The
router makes decisions about which connection data should be sent along.
Network Interface Card
NIC - Answers A NIC is a device that is added to a computer to enable it to communicate with other
devices on a network. A NIC can be wired are wireless. Many devices have a NIC built in to them.
Wireless Network - Answers A network that allows devices to pass data between them using radio
waves. The most common standard for LANs is WiFi but Bluetooth and NFC are other types. When
roaming you could use the 3G or 4G wireless standards.
Advantages: Mobility
Disadvantages: Insecure (anyone can listen to your wireless signals), short range (approx. 50m).
Wired Network - Answers A network where the data passing between devices is guided through a
transmission medium such as copper cable or fibre optics. Most LANs use the RJ45 / Cat5e standards
and WAN connections are mainly created using fibre optics.
Advantages: Range from 100's to 1000's of metres, secure, reliable.
Disadvantages: Cables can be difficult and/or expensive to install, lack of mobility.
