chapter 4

Question 1

Define a network.

Answer 1

A system that connects computers and other digital devices together to share data and resources.

Question 2

What is a LAN?

Answer 2

Local Area Network; connects computers in close proximity using cables.

Question 3

What is a WLAN?

Answer 3

Wireless Local Area Network; a LAN accessed using radio wave communications.

Question 4

State one advantage of WLAN over LAN.

Answer 4

Allows user mobility while remaining connected / Allows multiple mobile devices to connect.

Question 5

What is a WAN?

Answer 5

Wide Area Network; connects separate LANs over a large geographical area (e.g., cities, countries).

Question 6

Give an example of a WAN.

Answer 6

The internet.

Question 7

State two differences between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Answer 7

Wi-Fi has range up to 100m, Bluetooth 10m / Wi-Fi supports many users, Bluetooth fewer / Wi-Fi has high security, Bluetooth lower / Wi-Fi has fast data transfer, Bluetooth low.

Question 8

What is a NIC?

Answer 8

Network Interface Card; a circuit board that allows a computer to communicate over a network.

Question 9

What is a MAC address?

Answer 9

Media Access Control address; a unique number burned into a NIC to identify the device.

Question 10

What is a modem?

Answer 10

Modulator-Demodulator; converts computer signals to analogue for telephone line transmission and vice versa.

Question 11

What is a hub?

Answer 11

A device that connects multiple devices to form a LAN; broadcasts messages to every computer on the network.

Question 12

What is a switch?

Answer 12

A more efficient version of a hub that checks data packets and sends them only to the appropriate computer.

Question 13

How does a switch work?

Answer 13

Connects computers to make a LAN / Each device has unique MAC address / Switch reads recipient’s MAC address in packet / Sends data to that specific device.

Question 14

What is a bridge?

Answer 14

A device that connects one LAN to another LAN using the same protocol, making them function as a single LAN.

Question 15

What is a data packet?

Answer 15

A small unit of data broken down for transmission between devices.

Question 16

What are the three sections of a data packet?

Answer 16

Packet header / Payload (actual data) / Trailer/footer (end marker and error detection).

Question 17

What is packet switching?

Answer 17

The process of transmitting data packets from one device to another through several pathways across a network.

Question 18

What is a router?

Answer 18

A network component that examines data packets to obtain their destination address and forwards them accordingly.

Question 19

State two functions of a router.

Answer 19

Route data packets / Connect networks to the internet / Store computer addresses / Forward packets based on routing table.

Question 20

How does a router route data packets?

Answer 20

Reads destination IP address in packet / Searches routing table / Forwards packet to next router / Continues until reaching target device.

Question 21

What is an IP address?

Answer 21

Internet Protocol address; a numeric ID that gives the location of a device on the internet.

Question 22

What is the difference between dynamic and static IP addresses?

Answer 22

Dynamic IPs are assigned temporarily by the network; static IPs are permanently assigned.

Question 23

What is a routing table?

Answer 23

A data structure in a router that determines the best path for forwarding data packets across a network.

Question 24

What is an ISP?

Answer 24

Internet Service Provider; a company that provides users with access to the internet.

Question 25

Define cloud computing.

Answer 25

The delivery of computer services (like software and storage) over the internet from remote servers.

Question 26

State two advantages of cloud computing.

Answer 26

Lower maintenance costs / Software automatically upgraded / Employees can work from anywhere / Data automatically backed up.

Question 27

State two disadvantages of cloud computing.

Answer 27

Requires internet access / Organization has less control / Provider's servers may be targeted by hackers.

Question 28

What is audio conferencing?

Answer 28

A conference call where all participants dial into a central system that connects them.

Question 29

State one advantage of audio-conferencing over video-conferencing.

Answer 29

Simpler interface / Less equipment needed (cheaper) / More flexibility / No lip sync issues.

Question 30

State one disadvantage of audio-conferencing.

Answer 30

Cannot see visual aids or body language / Harder to control meeting / Less personal.

Question 31

What is web-conferencing?

Answer 31

A form of real-time communication where multiple users connect via internet and see the same screen.

Question 32

How does web-conferencing differ from video-conferencing?

Answer 32

Web-conferencing uses web browsers and internet, shows individuals via webcam; video-conferencing uses dedicated software, can show groups, has better quality.

Question 33

State one advantage of web-conferencing.

Answer 33

Reduced cost (less hardware) / Simpler interface / Can be used on more devices.

Question 34

What is video-conferencing?

Answer 34

A system providing high-quality video and audio for meetings, allowing groups at one location to be viewed.

Question 35

State two advantages of electronic conferencing.

Answer 35

Saves travelling time and cost / Meetings can be called on short notice / Allows document sharing and collaboration / Enables remote work.

Question 36

State two disadvantages of electronic conferencing.

Answer 36

High initial cost / Never as successful as face-to-face / Reliant on hardware/software (can malfunction) / Different time zones.

Question 37

A school wants to connect computers in three buildings on campus. What type of network should they use?

Answer 37

LAN (Local Area Network).

Question 38

A multinational company needs to connect offices in London, New York, and Tokyo. What type of network is this?

Answer 38

WAN (Wide Area Network).

Question 39

Why would a café choose WLAN over a wired LAN for customer internet access?

Answer 39

To allow customers to connect their mobile devices wirelessly and move around while staying connected.

Question 40

What device converts digital signals to analogue for transmission over telephone lines?

Answer 40

Modem.

Question 41

What device prevents data packets from being broadcast to every computer on a network?

Answer 41

Switch.

Question 42

Why is a router essential for home internet access?

Answer 42

It connects the home LAN to the internet (WAN) and routes data packets to their correct destinations.

Question 43

What is the purpose of a MAC address?

Answer 43

To uniquely identify each network device at the hardware level.

Question 44

Why might a business choose cloud computing instead of buying its own servers?

Answer 44

To reduce maintenance costs, have automatic software updates, and allow employees to work remotely.

Question 45

A company needs to hold a meeting with staff in three countries. What are two benefits of using video-conferencing?

Answer 45

Saves travel costs and time / Allows face-to-face interaction without travel.

Question 46

Why might audio-conferencing be preferred over video-conferencing in some situations?

Answer 46

When participants need more privacy, have poor internet bandwidth, or only require voice communication.

Question 47

What is the main difference between a hub and a switch?

Answer 47

A hub broadcasts data to all devices; a switch sends data only to the intended recipient.

Question 48

What information is contained in a packet header?

Answer 48

Destination address, packet number, originator's address.

Question 49

Why is packet switching an efficient method of data transmission?

Answer 49

It allows data to travel via multiple pathways, reducing congestion and increasing reliability.

Question 50

What does ISP stand for?

Answer 50

Internet Service Provider.

Question 51

What device would you use to connect two separate LANs in the same building?

Answer 51

Bridge.

Question 52

What is the role of a NIC in a computer?

Answer 52

To enable the computer to connect to a network.

Question 53

Why does each device on a network need a unique IP address?

Answer 53

So that data packets can be correctly routed to and from that specific device.

Question 54

What is the function of a routing table?

Answer 54

To store information about known networks and the best paths to reach them.

Question 55

How does a router handle a data packet with an unknown destination address?

Answer 55

It uses its default route (usually to the ISP).