Requirements for Connecting to a Network (Edexcel IGCSE ICT): Flashcards
Exam code: 4IT1
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- FrontIdentifying Devices
Define IP address.
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Cards in this collection (42)
Define IP address.
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier given to devices which communicate over the internet (WAN), making it possible to deliver data to the right device.
How is an IP address allocated to a device?
It can be allocated by a network administrator or assigned dynamically by a DHCP server.
How is an IPv4 address written?
IPv4 is written as 4 blocks of denary numbers between 0 and 255, separated by full stops, with each block one byte and each address 4 bytes.
How is an IPv6 address written?
IPv6 is written as 8 blocks of 4 hexadecimal digits, separated by colons, with each block 2 bytes and each address 16 bytes.
Why was IPv6 needed?
IPv4 provides just over 4 billion unique addresses, which is not enough for over 7 billion people with countless devices each.
Define MAC address.
A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a universally unique identifier given to devices which communicate over a local area network (LAN).
When is a MAC address assigned to a device?
Any device containing a Network Interface Card (NIC) has a MAC address assigned during manufacturing.
How is a MAC address written, and what do its parts mean?
A MAC address is 12 hexadecimal digits grouped in pairs; the first three pairs are the manufacturer ID number (OUI) and the last three pairs are the serial number of the network interface card.
Give three uses of a MAC address.
MAC addresses can restrict or allow access to a network, identify a device on a network, track a device, and assign static or fixed IP addresses.
MAC addresses make it possible for to efficiently forward data to the intended recipient.
MAC addresses make it possible for switches to efficiently forward data to the intended recipient.
Describe two differences between IP addresses and MAC addresses.
An IP address is dynamic and can change while a MAC address is static and cannot change; an IP address is used to communicate on a WAN or the internet while a MAC address is used on a LAN.
True or False?
When a device moves to a different network, its MAC address changes.
False.
The MAC address stays the same when a device moves network; it is the IP address that changes.
Define device name.
A device name is a way for users to describe or name a device so that it is easier to identify on a network.
Why are device names not used by devices to communicate?
Device names are not always unique; they are set by users in the device's operating system or from a router.
Name the two most common types of cable in a wired network.
The two most common are Ethernet and fibre optic.
What does Ethernet cable carry, and over what kind of network?
Ethernet is a wired networking standard that carries electrical signals between devices on a local area network (LAN).
Ethernet uses cables (CAT5) to allow duplex communication.
Ethernet uses twisted pair cables (CAT5) to allow duplex communication.
Why is fibre optic the most secure option for sending sensitive data?
Fibre optic cable does not suffer from interference, and it also carries data at much higher speed and bandwidth over long distances without degradation.
What does a wireless access point do?
A wireless access point (WAP) allows wireless devices to connect to a local area network, connecting to a switch or hub via an Ethernet cable.
Why might a building need more than one wireless access point?
The range of a WAP is limited, so multiple access points are used to give complete coverage of a home or business.
State three tasks carried out by a router.
A router receives packets, forwards packets, maintains a routing table, identifies the most efficient path to the destination, and assigns IP addresses to devices.
Define gateway.
A gateway is a device that bridges the connection between two different types of network, translating between different network protocols.
What does a switch do, and why is it called an active device?
A switch allows multiple wired devices to connect to a LAN, and it is active because it can inspect network data and route it to the correct device, reducing traffic on the network.
What does a booster do?
A booster amplifies a network signal in order to extend the normal range, and can be used with both wired and wireless networks.
True or False?
A wireless access point can never act as a booster.
False.
A wireless access point can be configured to act as a booster, in what is known as repeater mode.
Define server.
A server is a dedicated computer that shares its resources with the devices that connect to it, which are known as clients.
Name five common types of server.
File, web, print, authentication and application servers.
What does an authentication server do?
It stores usernames and passwords that can be checked when a user logs in, and authenticated users receive a certificate that allows access to resources.
What does a print server do?
A print server manages print jobs and organises the queue so that individual printers are not overloaded.
Define web browser.
A web browser is a software application used to locate, retrieve and display content on the World Wide Web.
Name four common features of a web browser.
A home page, the ability to bookmark favourites, a history of visited websites, and hyperlinks that allow users to navigate between pages.
Define Internet Service Provider (ISP).
An Internet Service Provider is a company that provides access to the internet to users and businesses.
How does an ISP provide internet access, and how is it paid for?
The ISP leases equipment and telecommunication lines to users, and generally charges a subscription fee.
Define search engine.
A search engine is a tool that locates and displays web pages related to the search terms entered by the user.
Name the three stages by which a search engine works.
Crawling, indexing and ranking.
What happens during the crawling stage?
Web crawlers scour the internet daily to retrieve new websites.
What happens during the indexing stage?
Websites are categorised based on the content of their web pages, keywords and metadata.
What happens during the ranking stage?
Websites are ranked and listed on search engine pages, depending on many factors, so that the most relevant results are displayed.
How does filter software decide whether to allow a website?
It uses two lists stored in a database, and the URL entered by the user is compared against both lists.
URLs on the are allowed and the website can be viewed, while URLs on the blacklist are blocked.
URLs on the whitelist are allowed and the website can be viewed, while URLs on the blacklist are blocked.
True or False?
A URL that appears on neither the whitelist nor the blacklist is blocked.
False.
URLs that cannot be found on either list are allowed.
Who uses filter software, and why?
Filter software is used by schools and parents to protect children from accessing age inappropriate content, and administrators can add and remove URLs from the lists.
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