Task 1 An introduction to computer networks

Questions:
1. Describe what a computer network is.

2. Find an image that shows a picture example of a network and paste it into the space below:

3.What are computers that are not linked to a network described as?

4.List 3 ways that can be used to connect computers to a network.

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5.List 3 reasons why it is beneficial to create networks.

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6. Describe 4advantagesand 4 disadvantages of connecting computers to a network:

Advantages of networks Disadvantages of networks

7. Describe 3advantages and 3 disadvantages of connecting computers to the internet:

Advantages of connecting Disadvantages of connecting

computers to the internet computers to the internet
 Task 2 Types of network computers
Questions:
3. List the 2 different types of network computers.

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2. Describe what a servercomputer is.

3. Find an image that shows a picture example of a server computer and paste it into the space
below:

4.Describe what server computers do.

5. There are different types of server computers. In the table below, list 4 examples of server
computers and describe their function:

Server computers Their function

6. Server computers provide ‘services’ to the client computers on the network. In the table below,
name and describe 4 of these services:

Service Description

7. Describe what a clientcomputer is.

8. Find an image that shows a picture examples of client computers and paste it into the space
below:

9.List 4functions that client computers are used to carry out.

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10. Find an image that depicts how a server computer communicates with client computers and
paste it onto the next page (as large as you can).
 Task 3 The different types of networks
Questions:
1. List the 4 different types of networks.

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2. What is LAN an abbreviation of?

3. Describe 4 features of a LAN.

Features of a LAN
1.
2.
3.
4.

4. Draw an imagethat shows how a LAN is setup, photograph it and paste into the space below:

5.Describe 4 advantages and 4 disadvantages to setting up a LAN.

Advantages of a LAN Disadvantages of a LAN

6. What is WLAN an abbreviation of?

7. Describe 4 features of a WLAN.

Features of a WLAN
1.
2.
3.
4.

8. Explain what a router is and describe its role in a WLAN.

A router is…

A routers role
is…

9. Draw a picture that shows how a WLAN is setup, photograph it and paste into the space below:

10. Describe 4 advantages and 4 disadvantages to setting up a WLAN.

Advantages of a WLAN Disadvantages of a WLAN
11. What is WAN an abbreviation of?

12. Describe what a WAN is.

13. What is the largest WAN in the world?

14. Describe what the internet is made up of.

15. List the 4 different ways that computers and devices can connect to a WAN.

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16. Draw a picture that shows how a WAN is setup, photograph it and paste into the space below:
17. Describe 4 advantages and 4 disadvantages to setting up a WAN.

Advantages of a WAN Disadvantages of a WAN

18. What is WPAN an abbreviation of?

19. What is another, more commonly used, name for a WPAN.

20. Describe 3 features of a WPAN.

Features of a WPAN
1.
2.
3.

21. List the 4devices that can commonly be used to connect to a WPAN.

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22. Draw a picture that show how a WPAN is setup, photograph it and paste into the space below:
 23. Describe 4 advantages and 4 disadvantages to setting up a WPAN.

Advantages of a WPAN Disadvantages of a WPAN

Task 4 Network Devices

Questions:
1. List 7pieces of hardware that are used to build a network.

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2.Describe what routers are used for.

3.Routers can be described as being ‘intelligent’ devices. Explain 3 functions that routers perform
that make them intelligent.

Routers are intelligent because:

1.
2.
3.

5. What does IP address stand for?

5.Explain what an IP address is.

6.How does a router store IP addresses?

7.Explain how a router uses IP addresses and a routing table to send data to its correct destination.

10. Find an image that shows how routers use IP addresses to send data to the correct destination
and paste it below:

11. Describe what network interface cards are used for.

10.Describe the difference between a wired network interface card and a wireless network
interface card.

11.Find 2images that show how wired and wireless network interface cards connect computers to a
network and paste it below:
12. Describe what network cables are used for.

13.Describe 2 advantages that network cables hold over forming networks with wireless technology.

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14. Describe what hubs are used for.

16. Hubs can be described as being ‘unintelligent’ devices. Explain why hubs are considered
unintelligent.

17. Why would a network connected using a hub run very slowly?

17.Find an image of a network connected through a hub and paste below (Make sure to highlight
the problem of too much data flowing around the network in the image).
18.Explain what a switch is used for.

19. Switches are said to be ‘intelligent’ devices. Explain 3 functions that switches perform that make
them intelligent.

Switches are intelligent because:

1.
2.
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3.

20.Find an image of a network connected through a switch and paste below (Make sure that the
image shows how switches use MAC addresses to control data flow).

21. Explain what a bridge is used for.

22. Find an image of 2networks connected through a bridge and paste below:
23. Explain what modems are used for.

24.What does modem stand for?

25.Explain how modems can convert data between analogue and digital so that it can be
transmitted over telephone lines.

26.What is the purpose of an analogue to digital converter (ADC)?

27. What is the purpose of adigital to analogueconverter (DAC)?

28.Explain the difference between a router and a modem.

29. Find an image showing how a modem can convert data between analogue and digital and paste
below:
 Task 5 The difference between the Internet and Intranets
Questions:
1. List the 2 types of network environments:

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2.Describe whatthe internet is.

3.The internet has lots of different uses. List 7 of these uses:

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6. What type of network is the internet?

5.List 3 things that you need to access the internet:

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6.Explain what an internet service provider (ISP) is?

7. Find an image that shows how a computer can be connected to the internet using a router and
an ISP. Paste the image into the space below:

8. Describe whatan intranet is.

9.List 5 uses of an intranet:

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10.An intranet is said to be private. What does this mean?

11.What do you need before you can access an intranet?

12.Loginids are one of the things needed before you can access an intranet. Explain another
function that a login id is used for.

13.Find an image of an actual intranetin use and paste it below:

14.Find an image representation of an intranet, showing how it is private to connections from the
internet and paste it below:

15.Make 4 comparisons between intranets and the internet in the table below:

Intranet Internet

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 Task 6 Using different computers to connect to the internet
Questions:
1. List the 4types of devices that we commonly use to connectto the internet:

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2.In the image below, list at least 2 advantages and disadvantages of connecting to the internet
using a tablet.

Advantages Disadvantages
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3. In the image below, list at least 2 advantages and disadvantages of connecting to the internet
using a laptop.

Advantages Disadvantages
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4. In the image below, list at least 2 advantages and disadvantages of connecting to the internet
using a desktop pc.

Advantages Disadvantages
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5. In the image below, list at least 2 advantages and disadvantages of connecting to the internet
using a smartphone.

Advantages Disadvantages
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 Task 7 Comparing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Questions:
1. Name the technology that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi use to connect devices together.

2.How are Wi-Fi signals broadcast?

3.What is a hotspot?

7. Which network device is used to connect devices together wirelessly?

5.What is the typicalsignalrange of a router?

6.Explain what an internet service provider (ISP) is?

9. List what you would need to connect devices together using Wi-Fi.

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10. Explain what Bluetooth is.

11. What is the typical range of data transferred over Bluetooth?

12. List what you would need to connect devices together using Bluetooth.

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11.Describe 3 uses of Bluetooth in the table below:

Uses of Bluetooth
1.
2.
3.

12.Make 5 comparisons between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Bluetooth Wi-Fi
 Task 8 Setting up a small network
Questions:
1. List the different hardware you would need to set up a small network.

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2.List the different software you would need to set up a small network.

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3.Describe what an ISP is and what it is used for when setting up a small network.

4. Describe what a firewall is and why it is needed.

5. Describe what anti-virus softwareis and what it is needed.

6. Describe what a web browser is and why it is needed.

7.In the table below, explain the steps needed to set up a small network:

How to set up a small network

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8.Print this sheet and, in the space below, draw a graphical representation of a small network.
Make sure to include computers/devices, cables, wireless signal, router, firewall and the
internet.