HIGHER COMPUTING COMPUTER SYSTEMS

NETWORKING CLASS TEST

1. (a) Five computers have been donated to Millside Library for public use. Name two types of transmission
media which may be used in networking. Which one would you recommend to connect the computers
within the library? Give a reason for your choice.

(bi) It is proposed to connect Millside Librarys network to Millside High Schools network. Why is this
described as an internetwork rather than a wide area network?

(bii) Describe one benefit this could bring to the library users and one benefit it could bring to the school
pupils.

2. Describe two differences between the characteristics of the data communication on an office LAN compared
to data transfer on a WAN.

3. Describe an application of each of the following, making clear the main use of the relevant network: LAN,
Intranet, WAN, Internet.

4. May local area networks work at 100 Mbps. What does Mbps stand for?

5. Describe a characteristic which you might expect of a network workstation that you would not expect of a
mainframe terminal.

6. Name one type of server that a network may have.

7. One of the servers on a network is a fileserver. Name two other types of server that might be connected to
the network and describe its purpose.

8. Draw and label a diagram of a mesh network with five nodes.

9. Explain how the topology of a mesh network includes protection against the consequences of channel
failure.

10. A network is configured as a star topology. It contains four computers and a switch.
Draw a labelled diagram of this star topology. You should clearly show the location of the switch.

11. Describe one advantage of using a star topology compared to a bus topology.

12. What is the effect of the central node on a star network failing?

13. Describe a router.

14. LANs may use a hub or a switch. Explain the difference between a hub and a switch.

15. Explain why using a switch rather than a hub may improve the performance of a network.

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16. South Ayrshire Council want to network their stand-alone computers. What piece of hardware will need to
be present in their computers to allow this to happen and describe its purpose?

17. A group of students are planning to connect their computers together so they can play a multi-player
network game. They could choose either a client-server or a peer-to-peer model for their network. Explain
the terms client-server and peer-to-peer

18. Describe two advantages and one disadvantage of a client-server network compared to a peer-to-peer
network.

19. (a)Ettrickbank College is planning the installation of 200 new computer workstations and three servers.
Unlike its original suite of computers, these will be networked. State whether the network is a peer-to-per or
client-server network. Justify your answer.

(b) Explain how the security of user files can be ensured for this network.

20. A recent development in communications technology is Bluetooth. Explain the term Bluetooth.

21. Wifi is another transmission method. Describe two advantages of WiFi over Bluetooth.

22. Describe two reasons that have contributed to the widespread use of networks.

23. Developments in browser software have contributed to the increase in the use of networks.
Describe two of these developments.

24. A company LAN is to be connected to the Internet. Describe two possible problems which could arise from
connecting the LAN to the Internet.

25. Name and explain two legal implications of using computer networks. Your answer should make reference to
UK legislation.

26. (a) A group of friends get together and set up a network of their computers in order to play some multi-
player games. One of the friends begins to copy the game from the server to his own hard drive. What piece
of legislation covers this activity?

(b) Describe a situation where the copying of a piece of software from one computer to another would be
legal.

27. An organisation has to store personal data about its customers. Name the Act of Parliament and describe
two conditions which the company must satisfy in order to protect their customers.

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