GCSEComputer ScienceAQAExam Questions9. Fundamentals of Computer NetworksFundamentals of Computer Networks

Fundamentals of Computer Networks (AQA GCSE Computer Science): Exam Questions

Exam code: 8525

2 hours30 questions

Select a download format for Fundamentals of Computer Networks

Scroll for more

Select an answer set to view for
Fundamentals of Computer Networks

Easy
Medium
Hard
1a
1 mark

PANs and LANs are two different types of network.

Describe one difference between a PAN and a LAN.

How did you do?

1b
1 mark

Give one example of where a PAN could be used.

How did you do?

1c
2 marks

When two computers on a network communicate with each other they need to use the same protocol.

Define the term network protocol.

How did you do?

1d
2 marks

Identify one choice to indicate the most suitable protocol to use in the situation described.

Used to retrieve email stored on a server.

  • HTTP

  • HTTPS

  • FTP

  • SMTP

  • IMAP

Choose your answer

1e
1 mark

Used to make a payment securely when purchasing goods from a website.

  • HTTP

  • HTTPS

  • FTP

  • SMTP

  • IMAP

Choose your answer

1f
1 mark

Used to send an email from a client machine to an email server.

  • HTTP

  • HTTPS

  • FTP

  • SMTP

  • IMAP

Choose your answer

2a
2 marks

Identify two choices to show which statements are true about LANs.

  • LANs always use the Ethernet protocol.

  • LANs always use wireless technology.

  • LANs are usually controlled or owned by a single organisation

  • LANs connect a maximum of 150 devices.

  • LANs cover one room, building or site

Choose your answer

2b
2 marks

HTTP is an example of a network protocol.

Define the term network protocol.

How did you do?

3a
1 mark

Computer networks can be installed using wired or wireless technology.

State one wireless method used to connect devices on a Personal Area Network (PAN).

How did you do?

3b
1 mark

Identify one choice to indicate the application layer protocol used for sending emails from a client device to a mail server.

  • FTP

  • HTTP

  • SMTP

  • UDP

Choose your answer

4a
2 marks

Define the term computer network.

How did you do?

4b
2 marks

Identify two choices that are correct statements about network protocols.

  • A protocol is a set of rules.

  • All protocols only work with specific hardware.

  • All protocols transmit data secure

  • Ethernet is a family of protocols.

  • Wi-Fi is a single protocol.

Choose your answer

5a
1 mark

LANs and WANs are two different types of network.

Describe one difference between a LAN and a WAN.

How did you do?

5b
1 mark

Give one example of where a LAN could be used.

How did you do?

1a
2 marks

Most schools have a computer network.

Some schools allow teachers to access the school network from their home computers.

Give one reason why some schools allow this and one reason why some schools do not allow this.

How did you do?

1b
3 marks

State three advantages of using a computer network.

How did you do?

1c
3 marks

TCP/IP is a protocol used in networking. There are 4 layers in the TCP/IP stack.

Complete the table by placing the four layers of the TCP/IP stack into order (1-4) where 1 is the top layer and 4 is the bottom layer.

Layer

Order (1-4)

Transport

Link

Internet

Application

How did you do?

2a
2 marks

Describe two differences between a PAN and a WAN.

How did you do?

2b
2 marks

State two differences between a bus topology and a star topology.

How did you do?

2c
2 marks

The application layer and the transport layer are two of the layers within the TCP/IP model.

What are the names of the other two layers of the TCP/IP model?

How did you do?

3a
2 marks

Describe two differences between a Local Area Network (LAN) and a Wide Area Network (WAN).

How did you do?

3b
3 marks

Give three advantages of using a wireless network instead of a wired network.

How did you do?

3c
2 marks

Explain the purpose of the HTTPS protocol.

How did you do?

4a
2 marks

Explain how a firewall can be used to improve the security of a computer network.

How did you do?

4b
2 marks

Authentication and MAC address filtering can be used to improve network security.

Explain how one of these security methods works.

How did you do?

5
2 marks

Explain one data privacy concern an organisation would need to consider when setting up a wireless network.

How did you do?

1
2 marks

Explain why it would not be appropriate for the café to use MAC address filtering on their wireless network.

How did you do?

2
9 marks

Table 4 shows three layers of the TCP/IP model and some protocols that operate at each of these layers.

Table 4

Layer

Protocol

Application layer

HTTP
HTTPS
SMTP
IMAP
FTP

Transport layer

TCP
UDP

Internet layer

IP

Describe the role of one protocol from each layer in Table 4.

You must state which protocol you are describing.

How did you do?

3
4 marks

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using a star topology versus a bus topology for a small office LAN network.

How did you do?

4
4 marks

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using a bus topology for a small office network.

How did you do?

5
5 marks

Explain how the concept of layers in network protocols provides advantages for data transmission, using the TCP/IP model as an example.

How did you do?