Stretch tasks Networks

Round 1: Quiz Blitz

1. LAN A local area network covers a small area, and the organisation owns the equipment.
2. Router A router connects different networks together and sends data between them.
3. Switch A switch connects devices within one network and forwards each piece of data only to its destination.
4. True It is the largest wide area network in the world.
5. Malware can spread quickly between computers; If the server fails, everyone is affected Connection brings risk: malware travels the same routes as everyone's work, and a central server is a single point of failure.
6. Someone needs physical access to a cable to intercept the data A wireless signal travels through the air, even outside the building. Tapping a cable means getting to it.
7. A cable straight to the router Wired connections are faster and more consistent, and do not weaken with distance or walls.
8. The laptop's wireless NIC → A wireless access point → A switch → The router → The internet The NIC transmits, the WAP joins the laptop to the network, the switch passes data inside it, and the router sends it out.
9. Lets a device connect to a network A network interface card is the hardware that lets a device connect to a network at all.
10. True A wireless access point turns the wired network into a wireless one that devices can join.
11. wide area network A wide area network covers a large area, such as a whole country.
12. Everyone's work is backed up in one place, without relying on each user Central backups happen automatically. Relying on a thousand students to back up their own work does not.

Round 2: Quick Fire

1. • To share files and work
   • To share hardware such as printers
   • To share one internet connection
   • To back up everything centrally
   • To manage accounts and updates from one place
   • So users can log in at any computer
   Model answer

   So that students and staff can share files and work, and share hardware such as printers, which saves money.

2. • A router connects different networks, such as a home network and the internet
   • A switch connects devices within one network, sending data only to the right device
   Model answer

   A router connects different networks together, such as a school network and the internet, and directs data between them. A switch connects the devices within one network and sends data only to the right device.

3. • Advantage: devices can move freely, with no cables
   • Disadvantage: slower, less reliable or less secure
   Model answer

   An advantage is that devices can move around freely, with no cables. A disadvantage is that it is less secure, because the signal travels through the air, and slower, as it weakens through walls.

4. • A WAN covers a huge area and long distances
   • So it uses lines owned by telecoms companies, which it rents
   Model answer

   A WAN covers a huge area, hundreds of miles here, and it would be far too expensive for one company to lay its own cables. Instead it rents connections from telecommunications companies such as BT.

Round 3: Big Think

1. • One printer can be shared, which saves money
   • One internet connection can be shared
   • Staff can share files and work together
   • All the data can be backed up centrally
   • Updates and security can be managed in one place
   Model answer

   Once the computers are networked, one printer can be shared, which saves money on five printers and their ink. They can also share one internet connection rather than paying for five. Staff can share files and work together on the same documents, all the data can be backed up centrally every night, and updates and security can be managed in one place.

2. • Customers' devices could bring malware that spreads across the network
   • Someone could reach the till or intercept card payment data
   • The wireless signal reaches outside the building
   • Put customers on a separate guest network
   • A firewall blocks traffic that breaks its rules
   • Encrypt the Wi-Fi and protect it with a strong password
   • Free Wi-Fi does bring customers in
   • A reasoned conclusion
   Model answer

   Free Wi-Fi would attract more customers, but sharing the till's network is risky. A customer's laptop could carry malware that spreads across the network to the till, and a skilled attacker could try to reach the till system or intercept card payment data. The wireless signal also reaches outside the café, so anyone nearby could try to connect. These risks can be reduced by putting customers on a separate guest network that cannot reach the till, protecting the network with a firewall, and encrypting the Wi-Fi with a strong password. Overall, the café should offer Wi-Fi, but only on a separate guest network.

This or That

1. WAN A wide area network covers a large area. A local area network covers one site, such as a school.
2. Share the printer and save money Sharing hardware such as printers is one of the main reasons for networking computers.
3. Server A server is a powerful computer that provides services. A switch connects devices within one network.
4. Wireless signals fade with distance and walls A wireless signal weakens the further it travels and every wall it passes through.
5. It can spread quickly to other computers One downside of a network is that malware spreads quickly between connected computers.
6. Everyone who relies on it If the server fails, everyone who uses its files or services is affected.
7. The organisation that uses it A LAN's equipment belongs to the school or business that runs it.
8. Accounts and updates are managed in one place Central management means one change reaches every computer on the network.

Memory Match

• A 4 LAN: Covers one site, such as a school
• B 3 WAN: Covers a large area, such as a country
• C 1 Router: Connects different networks and directs data
• D 2 Switch: Sends data to the right device within one network
• E 6 NIC: Lets a device connect to a network at all
• F 5 WAP: Lets devices connect without cables