What are the disadvantages of computer networks?

Malware and hackers can spread through a network more easily than to a standalone computer. Networks cost money to set up and need specialist staff to manage.

What is a Personal Area Network (PAN)?

A PAN connects devices close to one person, usually within a few metres. A phone linked to wireless earbuds by Bluetooth is an example.

Why is Bluetooth suited to a PAN but not to a LAN?

Bluetooth is designed for short distances, typically around ten metres. Bluetooth uses little power, which suits small battery devices such as headphones.

What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?

A LAN connects devices across a small geographical area such as a school, office or home. A LAN is usually owned and managed by one person or organisation.

AQA GCSE Computer Science 8525

Algorithms

Topic overview Algorithms, decomposition and abstraction Pseudo-code, flowcharts and trace tables Efficiency of algorithms Linear search and binary search Bubble sort and merge sort

Programming

Topic overview Data types Variables, constants and assignment Sequence, selection and iteration Arithmetic, relational and Boolean operators Arrays and records Input, output, string handling and random numbers Subroutines and structured programming Validation, authentication and testing

Data Representation

Topic overview Number bases and why hexadecimal is used Converting between binary, decimal and hexadecimal Units of information: bits, bytes and prefixes Binary addition and binary shifts Character encoding: ASCII and Unicode Pixels, bitmaps and colour depth Bitmap image file size calculations Digital sound: sampling rate and sample resolution Data compression: Huffman coding and run-length encoding

Computer Systems

Topic overview Hardware, software and the operating system Logic gates, truth tables and Boolean expressions Programming languages and translators The CPU and the fetch-execute cycle Types of memory and embedded systems Secondary storage and cloud storage

Computer Networks

Topic overview Network types and topologies Wired and wireless networks Network protocols The TCP/IP model and its layers Network security methods

Cyber Security

Topic overview Cyber security, common threats and penetration testing Social engineering: blagging, phishing and shouldering Malware: viruses, trojans and spyware Methods to detect and prevent cyber security threats

Relational Databases and SQL

Topic overview Relational databases and keys SQL SELECT queries SQL INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE

Ethical, Legal and Environmental Impacts of Digital Technology

Topic overview Ethical issues in digital technology Legal issues, privacy and surveillance Environmental impacts of digital technology

Computer Networks

Network types and topologies

3 things to know
Paper 2

Overview

The benefits and drawbacks of networks, PANs, LANs and WANs, star and bus topologies and their strengths and weaknesses, and which suits a given organisation.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What are the drawbacks of a star topology and of a bus topology?

Key term

What is a computer network?

Evaluation

What are the advantages of connecting computers in a network?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is a computer network?
Model answer
A computer network is two or more computers or devices connected together so they can communicate. Connected devices can share data and resources.
2
What are the advantages of connecting computers in a network?
Model answer
Users can share files, printers and an internet connection. Users can also communicate easily, and data can be backed up centrally.
3
What are the disadvantages of computer networks?
Model answer
Malware and hackers can spread through a network more easily than to a standalone computer. Networks cost money to set up and need specialist staff to manage.
4
What is a Personal Area Network (PAN)?
Model answer
A PAN connects devices close to one person, usually within a few metres. A phone linked to wireless earbuds by Bluetooth is an example.
5
Why is Bluetooth suited to a PAN but not to a LAN?
Model answer
Bluetooth is designed for short distances, typically around ten metres. Bluetooth uses little power, which suits small battery devices such as headphones.
6
What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?
Model answer
A LAN connects devices across a small geographical area such as a school, office or home. A LAN is usually owned and managed by one person or organisation.

See the rest and revise

Other ways to work this

The same content, four other ways.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.

1Closed book

2Open book

3Closed book

The 3-step method, run for you

Answer cold, learn it, then prove it stuck. Levo tracks the jump between your first attempt and your last.

Algorithms

Programming

Data Representation

Computer Systems

Cram a whole paper in one sitting

Sort every topic into what you know and what you do not, then drill only the weak ones.

The table one extra row.

gainslosescopies

Blank Blitz makes facts automatic

Rapid timed gap-fills on the terms and numbers you need to recall without thinking.

AThe algorithm outputs 1.

BThe variable x falls from 5 to 3 to 1.

CThe loop stops because 1 is not greater than 1.

Build It gets the exam shape right

Assemble a full-mark answer from its marking points, in the order an examiner wants them.

ASC means sorting from smallest to largest, or A to Z.

TrueFalse

Test It catches misconceptions

Spot the fault in a statement. The traps are the mistakes students actually make.

721941163128510

Brain Breaks between sessions

Short focus games to reset attention, so the next set lands better than the last.

Every question in Computer Networks, on a schedule.

Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.

Start revising, £5 a month See how the method works

Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.