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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science, Topic 4:
Networks Questions and Verified Answers
Q: LAN - local area network
ANS: A network of computers within the same building, such as a school, home or
business. It is not necessarily connected to the internet.
Q:
WAN - wide area network
ANS: When LANs are connected. Can connect organisations based in different
geographical places. The internet is an example of this.
Q:
Network topologies: bus
ANS: Each computer and network device are connected to a single cable or
backbone
Q:
Network topologies: star
ANS: Each device on the network has its own cable that connects to a switch or hub.
A hub sends every packet of data to every device
Q:
Network topologies: mesh
ANS: All of the devices on the network are interconnected with one another.
Q:
Network topologies: ring
ANS: Each device (eg workstation, server, printer) is connected in a ring so each one
is connected to two other devices
Q:
MAC (media access control) address
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ANS: Each unique piece of hardware on a network has this type of address. Ensures
that data is directed to the correct computer.
Q:
Data packets
ANS: A piece of information sent over a network. Messages have to be broken down
before they are transferred.
Q:
Server
ANS: A computer that holds data to be shared with other computers. A web server
stores and shares websites.
Q:
WWW
ANS: All the interlinked HTML pages that can be accessed over the Internet
Q:
The internet
ANS: Global communication network that allows computers to connect and
exchange information
Q:
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
ANS: Organisation that provides access to the internet
Q:
Router
ANS: Connects different networks together. Read address information and forward
the messages to the correct network. Used to transfer data between a home network
and the internet.
Q:
Firewall
ANS: Network security system that checks incoming and outgoing data, deciding to
allow or disallow the data from entering or leaving the network
Edexcel GCSE Computer Science, Topic 4:
Networks Questions and Verified Answers
Q: LAN - local area network
ANS: A network of computers within the same building, such as a school, home or
business. It is not necessarily connected to the internet.
Q:
WAN - wide area network
ANS: When LANs are connected. Can connect organisations based in different
geographical places. The internet is an example of this.
Q:
Network topologies: bus
ANS: Each computer and network device are connected to a single cable or
backbone
Q:
Network topologies: star
ANS: Each device on the network has its own cable that connects to a switch or hub.
A hub sends every packet of data to every device
Q:
Network topologies: mesh
ANS: All of the devices on the network are interconnected with one another.
Q:
Network topologies: ring
ANS: Each device (eg workstation, server, printer) is connected in a ring so each one
is connected to two other devices
Q:
MAC (media access control) address
, Page | 2
ANS: Each unique piece of hardware on a network has this type of address. Ensures
that data is directed to the correct computer.
Q:
Data packets
ANS: A piece of information sent over a network. Messages have to be broken down
before they are transferred.
Q:
Server
ANS: A computer that holds data to be shared with other computers. A web server
stores and shares websites.
Q:
WWW
ANS: All the interlinked HTML pages that can be accessed over the Internet
Q:
The internet
ANS: Global communication network that allows computers to connect and
exchange information
Q:
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
ANS: Organisation that provides access to the internet
Q:
Router
ANS: Connects different networks together. Read address information and forward
the messages to the correct network. Used to transfer data between a home network
and the internet.
Q:
Firewall
ANS: Network security system that checks incoming and outgoing data, deciding to
allow or disallow the data from entering or leaving the network
