NETWORKS

Question 0

What are the factors that influence the choice of a network?

Answer 0

1. Cost of network
2. Size of organisation
3. How the system will be used
4. Linking to existing systems
5. Performance required from the system
6. Security issues concerned with the network

Question 1

Advantages of networks

Answer 1

1. Printers can be shared - save money
2. Program’s can be shared
3. Data can be shared between all work stations
4. Users can communicate with each other
5. Users can email
6. You don’t have to use the same computer
7. Can monitor the work of individuals
8. Can control (access rights) what workers do on the computers

Question 2

Advantages of WIFI

Answer 2

1. Able to set up a simple network LAN at home
2. Freedom of working anywhere within range of signal
3. No need for cables

Question 3

Disadvantages of WIFI

Answer 3

1. Power consumption is high, laptops will use battery quickly.
2. Security issues with encryption of data
3. Maybe health problems - radio waves?
4. Have limited range - further you are the weaker the signal
5. Possible interference with other signals

Question 4

Disadvantages of networks

Answer 4

1. Expensive to purchase and maintain - large businesses would employ staff/technicians to maintain the system.
2. If a network breaks down everybody is affected
3. Special security measures are needed to stop users from using program’s and data that they shouldn’t have access to.

Question 5

Advantages of a bus network

Answer 5

1. Cheapest + easiest system to set up + install
2. If one computer breaks others will work
3. Easy to add on other workstations

Question 6

Disadvantages of a bus network

Answer 6

1. Because there is only one cable supplying all the computers the transmission of data is slow going backwards + forwards
2. The performance of the network slows down when there are more users
3. If cable fails - computers from that point will not work

Question 7

Advantages of a client server system

Answer 7

1. Work is backed up centrally
2. Better security + management systems
3. Processing tasks will be quicker than peer to peer systems

Question 8

Disadvantages of a client server system

Answer 8

1. Set up costs are expensive
2. Require specialist personnel to manage the system
3. If server breaks all computers will be affected

Question 9

Advantages of a peer to peer system

Answer 9

1. Initial set up costs are low
2. Simpler to set up + maintain
3. Less chances of crashes because it doesn’t depend on a central server

Question 10

Disadvantages of a peer to peer system

Answer 10

1. Data can be difficult to find
2. Security + back up not centralised so more difficult to control
3. More difficult use, users will have to be trained to use the system

Question 11

Explain a peer to peer system and what are the uses

Answer 11

A group of workstations networked together no central server used. Each workstation communicates with each other, data can be shared from one computer to another.

USES - small office or companies - less than 15 computers

Question 12

Explain a client server system and what are the uses

Answer 12

This system is set up with a central server that stores all the data and controls the use of all the workstations connected,

USES- medium to large organisations, more than 15 computers

Question 13

Advantages of a ring network

Answer 13

1. Network not dependant on central computer

2. Each computer has the same access as the others so no ones computer can hog the network

Question 14

Advantages of a star network

Answer 14

1. Fault tolerant - if one of the cables fail, then the other computers can still be used
2. Easy to add extra computers - without disturbing the network

Question 15

Disadvantages of a ring network

Answer 15

1. If there is a break in the connection then the whole network fails
2. Faults are difficult to locate
3. It is impossible to keep the network running whilst equipment is added or removed because there is only one path for the data to follow

Question 16

Disadvantages of star network

Answer 16

1. Higher cost - the large amount of cabling needed makes it more expensive
2. Dependence on the central server

Question 17

What is network management software?

Answer 17

• enables system manager to control all of system
• keeping track of software updates
• security patches are current and working
• able to install and uninstall software
• able to monitor the use of all workstations

Question 18

How can software systems be used to reduce security threats? \ what are the security strategies?

Answer 18

1. Use of passwords
2. Virus checkers [deliberate and accidental]
3. Firewalls to prevent hacking [deliberate]
4. Encryption - keep data a secret when sent over a network - bank details etc

Question 19

What are user accounts?

Answer 19

• created by system manager so that only people who are allowed to use the system can access the system
• manager can control access rights - only certain things can be done on the system - cannot install software etc access certain data or folders
• users can change passwords + desktop settings + manage their files and work

Question 20

What are log ins and audit trails?

Answer 20

• every time user logs in software would record every activity carried out under the log in name and password
• all files accessed and edited
• all documents printed
• Internet pages visited

( system can be used to monitor staff and used as evidence of abusing system or even hacking attempts made)

Question 21

Regular back ups of data

Answer 21

• save the work on a regular basis
• take discs off site in case of fire or theft
• make more than one copy of backups [raid system]
• grandfather father and son method

Question 22

Disaster planning, what could go wrong?

Answer 22

1. Software bugs - virus
2. Hardware breaking down
3. Deliberate damage - planting virus, vandalism, bomb, fire , hacking
4. Accidental damage - deleting files accidentally

Question 23

Reasons for disaster planning

Answer 23

1. Get the system work again ASAP
2. Minimise disruption to company
3. Can lose money - possibility of bankruptcy
4. Losing data can cause loss of customer confidence
5. Prosecution if negligence can be proven

Question 24

Regular back ups of data?

Answer 24

1. Save the work on a regular basis 2. Take discs off site in case of fire or theft 3. Make more than one copy of back ups [raid system] 4. Grandfather father and son method

Question 25

Compare and contrast relative advantages and disadvantages of ring and star topologies

Answer 25

Advantages of ring - network mot dependant on central computer, each computer has the same access as others so no one can hog the network Advantages of star Fault tolerant - if one of the cables fails, then the other computers can still be used Load tolerant - extra computers can be added without much loss in performance because all computers have their own path to the server Easy to add extra computers - extra computers can be added without disturbing the network Disadvantages of ring If there is a break in the connection then the whole network fails Faults are difficult to locate It is impossible to keep the network running whilst equipment is added or removed because there is only one path for the data to follow Disadvantages of star Higher cost - the large amount of cabling needed makes it more expensive Dependence on the central server

Question 26

A network manager uses remote management when managing the network. Describe four tasks that the network manager could do using remote management

Answer 26

- see which users are using the network - check on emails being sent when should working - check in which sites employees visit - check on hardware to see what needs upgrading - check to see right number licenses - guide users through problems

Question 27

Peer to peer and client server are two types of computer network compare and contrast the two types of network

Answer 27

Peer to peer cost saving no server is needed, so a, computers can be the same, client server more expensive - servers are expensive to buy Peer to peer status - all machines have same status no network manager is needed - all users take responsibility for the network, client server - on machine more important than the rest need specialist knowledge Easy to set up - they are the simplest of computer networks, can be set up by anyone (peer to peer) , (client) network operating systems require technical knowledge to set up and maintain Peer to peer - no reliance on a server no worry about the server breaking down, client server - if server breaks down network is unusable Lower operating costs - less set up and maintenance costs, (client) cost of setup and maintenance is higher Peer responsibility - users decide what resources other can use on their computer, users need little specialist know,edge as administration is performed centrally