1 Computer 1 enters the URL www.ocr.org.uk into a web browser.

This is then converted into the IP address of the

webserver that hosts the website.

Explain how the URL www.ocr.org.uk is converted into the IP address.

[3]

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 2(a) Hope has a network in her house. The main devices are shown in the diagram.

Devices on the network do not currently have Internet access.

Identify one device that Hope can use to connect her home network to the Internet.

[1]

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 (b) The network has one wireless access point in the kitchen that transmits data on the 5 GHz frequency.

(i) When the laptop is in the kitchen, it has better network performance.

Explain why the laptop’s network performance is lower in the bedroom.

[2]

(ii) State two ways Hope could improve the wireless network performance in the bedroom.

[2]
(c) Explain why Hope’s network uses a peer-to-peer model and not a client-server model.

[3]

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 (d) Some of Hope’s files are stored on the cloud.

Describe the benefits and drawbacks to Hope of storing her files on the cloud.

Benefits

Drawbacks

[6]

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 (e) State whether Hope’s network is a LAN or a WAN. Justify your choice.

Choice

Justification

[3]

3(a) Amir has a home network that includes two laptop computers, four mobile phones, and two televisions.

Identify the type of network Amir has at home.

[1]

(b) The network uses a star topology with a central switch. The switch has an integrated wireless access point
(WAP).

(i) Describe the similarities and differences between a switch and a router.

Similarities

Differences

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 [6]

(ii) Draw the star topology for Amir’s home network. Clearly label each device.

[3]

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 4 Eve’s computer has system software including an Operating System and Utility Software.

Eve stores her computer program on the cloud whilst working on it.

(i) Describe the benefits to Eve of storing the program on the cloud.

[3]

(ii) Describe the drawbacks to Eve of storing the program on the cloud.

[3]

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 5 The owners of a large bakery have a Local Area Network (LAN) with a star topology. They order their supplies
over the Internet. When data is transmitted from the bakery to the supplier, network protocols are used.

Give two reasons why the bakery may use a star network topology for their LAN.

[2]

6(a) A law company currently use a Local Area Network (LAN) linked to a Wide Area Network (WAN).
They want to upgrade their system to utilise cloud storage.

Define what is meant by a Wide Area Network.

[1]

(b) Explain two advantages to the law company of storing their data in the Cloud.

[4]

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 (c) Explain two disadvantages to the law company of storing their data in the Cloud.

[4]

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 7(a) An office has a LAN (Local Area Network). The office has four employees who each have a laptop. The office
also has one server and one networked printer.

The office is set up as a star network with a switch at the centre. All devices are connected to the network using
cables.

(i) Draw the devices and connections in the office star network. All devices must be clearly labelled.

[3]

(ii) Describe the role of the switch in the office network.

[2]

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 (b) The office introduces a WAP (Wireless Access Point) to allow network access to wireless devices.

The office manager has noticed that the performance of the network has recently decreased.

(i) Describe how introducing wireless access could have slowed down the network.

[2]

(ii) Identify two other factors that can affect the performance of a network.

[2]

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 8 The IP address 192.149.119.226 is linked to the website with a URL of https://www.ocr.org.uk

When https://www.ocr.org.uk is entered into a browser, the website homepage is loaded.

Describe the relationship between the website URL (https://www.ocr.org.uk), the IP address and the webserver.

[5]

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 9(a) A house has computers in each room and a central router. Every room allows both Ethernet and WiFi
connections to the router.

Identify if the house network is a LAN (local area network) or a WAN (wide area network).
Justify your choice.

Network type:

Justification:

[3]
(b)

(i) Describe the purpose of the router in the house’s network.

[2]

(ii) Identify two additional items of network hardware, apart from cables and a router, that may be used within
the house network.

[2]

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 (c) A user enters a uniform resource locator (URL) into a web browser on one of the computers in the house.
A system is then used to find the IP address of the web server associated with the URL.

(i) Name the system which matches URLs to IP addresses on the web.

[1]

(ii) The following statements describe what happens after the IP address has been found and returned to the
user’s computer.

There are five missing statements in the table.

Write the letter of the missing statements from the table in the correct place to complete the description.

1 The request is put into packets

3 The packets are sent across the network

6 If they have not arrived:

7 A timeout is sent to request the packets are resent

8 If they have arrived:

10

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 Letter Statement
A The server checks if all the packets have
arrived
B The packets are put in order
C The request is processed by the web server
D The packets are received by the host server
E Each packet is given the address and a number
[5]

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 10
A small island has 100 people living on it. The island has just been connected to the Internet, after
previously having no Internet or mobile phone signal.

Discuss the impact on the island’s inhabitants and businesses of getting access to the Internet.

In your answer you might consider the impact on:

inhabitants
businesses
ethical issues
privacy issues

[8]

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 11(a) A company, OCR Supermarkets, has supermarket stores throughout the country. The computers for each store
connect to the central office using a Wide Area Network (WAN).

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

Difference 1:

Difference 2:

[2]
(b) OCR Supermarkets use a client-server network to connect the checkout computers to the store's server.

Describe two benefits to OCR Supermarkets of using a client-server network instead of a peer-to-peer network.

Benefit 1:

Benefit 2:

[4]

12(a) A law firm currently use a Local Area Network (LAN) linked to a Wide Area Network (WAN). They want to
upgrade their system to utilise cloud storage.

Define what is meant by a Wide Area Network.

[1]

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 (b) Explain two advantages to the law firm of storing their data in the cloud.

[4]
(c) Explain two disadvantages to the law firm of storing their data in the cloud.

[4]
13 Zoe is organising a LAN-party. Her friends will each bring a computer to the party so that they can play games
against each other.

Describe what is meant by a Local Area Network (LAN).

[2]

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 14 The owners of a large bakery have a Local Area Network (LAN) with a star topology. They order their supplies
over the Internet. When data is transmitted from the bakery to the supplier, network protocols are used.

The owners of a large bakery have a Local Area Network (LAN) with a star topology.

Explain four reasons why the bakery may use a star network topology for their LAN.

[4]

15 A school has all of its computers in a local area network (LAN).

State two benefits of a LAN.

[2]
16 A bank uses a local area network to connect all the computers in its head office.

State two ways the local area network can be used to monitor the work of employees.

[2]

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 END OF QUESTION PAPER

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

1 i 1 mark per bullet to max 3 3 Request sent to DNS is NE without saying

the URL is sent.
URL sent to DNS // request sent to
DNS for/with URL Only penalise missing or incorrect term for
DNS looks up/finds to IP in its DNS once then FT
database
DNS returns IP
IF not found, DNS sends to higher level
DNS

ii 1 mark per bullet to max 3 3 Do not award MAC address

e.g.
Examiner’s Comments
Destination IP/address Question (c) required candidates to apply
Sender IP/address their understanding of virtual memory and
Packet Number convert this into an algorithm. Candidates
Packet size tackled this question well; they considered
Number of packets the possible answers and many selected
Error detection method/value correct responses. The most challenging
aspect was to check if NOT (data required
is in RAM).

Candidates were given the opportunity to

argue whether a tablet is an embedded
system, or not. With either answer being
acceptable but candidates were required to
justify their choice. This required
application of the question to the scenario
of the tablet. Candidates often gave
generic definitions of what an embedded
system, without any application to the
tablet and whether this meets the definition
of an embedded system or not.

Total 3

2 a Modem // router 1 Mark first given

b i 1 mark per bullet to max 2 2

Wifi signal/bandwidth will be

weaker/less because // 5GHz is only
short range
…bedroom further away from WAP
than kitchen
….to get to bedroom has to go through
floor/walls etc.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

ii 1 mark per way e.g. 2 Reduce interference is NE - they need to

say how this can be achieved
Change to 2.4Ghz
Install a signal booster // another WAP Examiner’s Comments
// mesh wifi Candidates found this challenging and
Move WAP closer to the bedroom often repeated the question in different
Remove obstructions // by example ways. For example some stating that they
Reduce number of devices connected can access the files faster because it's
Change channel to one not being used defragmented. Candidates needed to delve
in locality into why it is faster, considering the
movement of the read head and
positioning of the files.

Misconceptions
Candidates associated the word 'issues'
with negative points, whereas positive and
negative points should be covered.

Increasing the network frequency will

increase the strength.

In response to Question (c)((ii), candidates

often stated that increasing the frequency
will allow the signal to travel further.
Candidates were mixing up the amount of
data that can be sent at a time, with the
distance that signal can travel.

Question (c)(ii) asks candidates to explain

how the wireless network performance can
be improved. Some candidates described
using wired connections, which did not
answer the question.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

c 1 mark per bullet to max 3 3 Be careful MP1 is not just saying it does
e.g. not need to connect to the server - the MP
is that there is no server.
No server (required for client-server)
Computers are directly connected to Accept reasonable points in reverse.
each other
Computers are independent / equal Examiner’s Comments
Decentralised The use of bold indicates that that idea
Computers will have software must be present. It can be expressed in a
installed/updated individually // no variety of ways, but that idea must be
central installation/updates present. For example, in Question (d) 'No
Computers will need own security // no server required'. The word 'no' does not
central security need to be present but the idea that there
Computers will have their own files // is not a server is needed, e.g. ‘The network
no central file storage doesn't need a server’, meets this.
Less initial cost / maintenance
Specialist required to setup client-
server
Easier to add new devices
Lesser need for file sharing
If any device fails/is removed the
remainder can continue

d 1 mark per benefit to max 4, 1 mark per 6 Mark breadth and depth of knowledge.
drawback to max 4 1 mark for each valid point/expansion.
e.g. Allow specific examples as expansions for
each point.
Benefit Mark benefits to max 4 first, then look for
max 4 from drawbacks
Can access files from any device
… e.g. they can instantly access the
data from laptop and mobile phone
Can access files from anywhere // Can
access from anywhere with access to
the Internet
Can pay for auto-backups // don’t have
to backup manually
Security may be higher than at home
May be free of cost
… you do not need to buy more
hardware
Easier/quicker to share files with others
More available storage space on her
device
Easier to increase storage capacity
(not memory)
Can be used a backup in case of data
loss

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

Drawback

Cannot access files if no Internet

access
Not in control of security (bod less
secure)
… data may be hacked/stolen
May cost monthly fee
… which could be more long term than
buying hardware
May not be a backup // if cloud storage
fails you have lost your data
Data must be transferred to computer
to read
…. may be intercepted
Connection may be slow
… therefore takes time to
upload/download
May be issues as to who owns the data
If stop paying / leave subscription other
storage for files needs to be found
If login details are forgotten/lost may
not have access to files

e 1 mark for LAN 1 mark per bullet for 3

justification to max 2

Small geographic area

They will own the hardware //
dedicated hardware // do not need to
use outside hardware // controlled by
Hope

Total 17

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

3 a LAN // Local area network 1

b i 1 mark per bullet 6

Max 4 for similarities, max 4 for differences
Similarities:

They both connect devices

…they receive data from the devices
…they determine the correct
destination for the data
…they transmit the data to its
destination

Differences:

A switch uses MAC addresses

A router uses IPs
A switch corrects nodes/computers
A router connects networks/Internet
A router stores the addresses of
devices attached…
…a switch records the addresses as
they are accessed // a switch has to
look for correct address before sending

ii 1 mark per bullet 3 Connections can be wired or any

identifiable wireless connection.
Clearly labelled switch Ignore any additional devices
2 laptops, 4 phones, 2 TVs
All devices connected to switch and
nothing else

Total 10

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

4 i 1 mark per bullet to max 3 3

e.g.

She can access the program from

anywhere
… does not need to carry a storage
device with her
Security/backup is (likely) managed for
her
…does not need to manually backup
his work

ii 1 mark per bullet to max 3 3

If there is no Internet access he cannot

access his work
Transmission may not be secure
…his work could be intercepted
Security is out of his control
…it may not be backed up/kept safe

Total 6

5 It is easy to add a new node or device 2 1 mark to be awarded for each correct
Fewer data collisions can occur (AO2 1b) reason to a maximum of 2 marks.
If a node or device fails it does not
affect the rest of the network Any valid comparisons to other topologies
A signal does not need to be can be awarded marks.
transmitted to all computers in the
network

Total 2

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

6 a The computers are geographically 1 1 mark only to be awarded for a correct

remote/ distanced/ more than a mile (AO1 1a) definition.
apart
Communication medium is not owned Accept responses such as the company
by the law firm doesn’t own the infrastructure.

Do not accept ‘Network over a wide area’

or similar arrangement of wording.

b Two advantages from: 4 1 mark to be awarded for each correct

(AO2 1b) advantage, with a mark for a discussion of
It would offer additional storage (1) so the advantage related to the law firm. To a
the company can take on more cases maximum of 2 advantages.
(1)
It is a very efficient method of backing The total number of marks to be awarded
up data (1) and so saves the firm time for this task is 4 marks.
and money (1)
It would allow their employees to work Responses which are not contextualised
from anywhere (1) so they can take will gain a maximum of 1 mark per
cases from other countries (1) advantage (to a maximum of 2
It is environmentally friendly (1) advantages).
Easy to increase availability of storage
(1)
You don’t need specialist network skills
(1) so the firm don’t need to employ
more staff (1)
The third party provides security (1) so
the company saves money on staff and
software/hardware (1)
The third party provides backup (1) so
the company saves money on staff and
software/hardware (1)
Cheaper as don’t need own
infrastructure (1)

Each advantage needs to be

contextualised to gain 2 marks.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

c Two disadvantages from: 4 1 mark to be awarded for each correct

(AO2 1b) disadvantage with a mark for a discussion
You need a constant internet of the disadvantage related to the law firm.
connection (1) which lawyers who To a maximum of 2 disadvantages.
travel a lot may not always have (1)
Reliant on third party to carry out The total number of marks to be awarded
security procedures (1) but the firm are for this task is 4 marks.
still legally responsible if things go
wrong (1) Responses which are not contextualised
Reliant on third party for back up will gain a maximum of 1 mark per
connection (1) disadvantage (to a maximum of 2
Data stored in the Cloud will be disadvantages).
vulnerable to hacking and other threats
(1) which the firm have no control over
(1)
Issues regarding data ownership (1)
Implications of Data Protection Act (1)

Each disadvantage needs to be

contextualised to gain 2 marks

Total 9

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

7 a i 1 mark per bullet 3 Printer may be connected to the server

AO2 1a or to the switch.
Four laptops/computers, a server and (3)
printer present and clearly identifiable Accept PC for laptop
(positions do not matter)
Switch as a device clearly If the candidates has given
identifiable… server/switch or switch/server in the
…all devices directly connected to the centre, mark the first one in their list.
switch and only the switch (FT from If they give server/switch, they do not
MP2) get MP2, but allow access to MP3.

e.g. Examiner’s Comments

Most candidates were able to gain at least

1 mark by drawing the required elements.

Fewer candidates were able to correctly

label the central device as the switch;
many incorrectly labelled this as the server,
or server/switch. This error demonstrates a
misunderstanding that all devices connect
centrally to a server, instead of a device
such as a switch.

Some candidates did not clearly label their

devices or did not fully apply the scenario
to the diagram i.e. labelling 'device' instead
of the specific laptop, printer, server as
required.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

ii 1 mark per bullet to max 2 Do not award information, penalise

AO1 1a once.
To connect the devices together (1)
Receives data/packets/traffic AO2 1a Do not award packet switching out of
Direct/send data/packets/traffic only to (1) context.
its destination
Creates/generates a list of devices Accept MP3 by example
connected to it as it receives signals
Uses MAC addresses of devices Examiner’s Comments
connected to it
This question required an understanding of
the purpose and function of a switch in a
network.

A surprising number of candidates thought

that the switch turns the network on and
off.

The better answers conveyed that signals

were transmitted from the devices to the
switch, and that the switch then transmitted
the signals to the destination.

A small number of candidates were able to

demonstrate and understanding of how the
switch records the MAC addresses of the
devices attached to it and then uses these
to forward data packets.

b i 1 mark per bullet to max 2 2 Bod - wireless has less bandwidth

AO1 1b
Wireless transmission is slower than (1) Examiner’s Comments
cabled AO2 1b
More devices/users could be (1) This question required an understanding of
connected e.g. mobile phones // the differences between wired and wireless
increase in traffic transmission.
…reducing bandwidth available for
each user // insufficient bandwidth for Many candidates were able to correctly
users/demand identify that wireless transmission is
Wireless can be limited by interference usually slower than wired transmission.
…such as walls that disrupt the signal
// from other wireless networks/users Many candidates were also able to explain
potential interference in wireless
transmission and what can cause this
interference.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

ii 1 mark per factor 2 Do not accept wireless/wired

e.g. AO1 1a connections
(2)
Bandwidth available Bod answers such as cable length
Number of users (using the network at
the same time) Examiner’s Comments
(Number of) data collisions
Interference // by example e.g. walls This question required candidates to
Distance data has to travel // signal consider what other else could affect the
strength performance, other than a wireless versus
Amount of data being transferred wired network.
Applications being used
Server/CPU performance There were some excellent responses
Using a hub instead of a switch demonstrating a range of knowledge such
as differences in bandwidth, the number of
users (and collisions), the type of hardware
used and even the topology of the network.

Total 9

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

8 1 mark per bullet to max 5 5 Do not award 'the IP goes to the

AO1 1b webserver'
The website is hosted on a webserver (3)
The website/webserver has an IP AO2 1b Allow domain name in place of URL
address (2)
(Browser) sends URL to DNS 'DNS finds the IP of the URL it is given'
URL has a linked IP gets 2 marks, 1 for URL has linked IP
DNS finds IP and 1 for DNS finds the IP
If DNS cannot find the IP it passes
request to higher DNS MP 11 do not accept webserver loads
…if not found return error the webpage on the user's computer
IP address sent back to the
browser/computer Examiner’s Comments
(Browser) sends request to
IP/webserver This question provided an opportunity for
Webserver processes request for the candidates to demonstrating their
website/webpage understanding of the links between URLs
…webserver sends the and IPs, and how websites are stored on
webpage/file/data to the user web servers that have a URL and IP
address.

The better answers gave a detailed

explanation of how a URL is converted into
an IP address through a domain name
server.

Some candidates did not explain the

relationship, instead giving the purpose of
URLs as being user friendly, instead of
detailed how it relates to the IP address
and web server.

Exemplar 5

This candidate has given a good

description of how a website is loaded, with
the computer contacting the web server of

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

the website.

They have also included (briefly) details

about a domain name server being used to
convert the domain name into the IP
address.

Exemplar 6

This candidate begins by describing why a

URL is used instead of the relationship
between the required parts.

They do further down begin to detail how a

web server stores the website and that this
server sends the website back to the
computer.

Total 5

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

9 a 1 mark for LAN 3 Do not allow – in a local area, local needs

1 mark per bullet for justification to max 2 AO2 1a to be quantified in some way.
(2)
Small distance/geographical area by AO2 1b
example e.g. same building/house (1) No marks for WAN.
Connected by own
hardware/infrastructure
// not connecting through Internet
// no hired/third-party infrastructure
// dedicated connection

Examiner’s Comments

Most candidates were able to correctly

identify the network as being a LAN. Many
of these were also able to justify it based
on the size of the network. Fewer
candidates were able to justify the network
beyond its size. Some candidates looked
to the next question and took the idea of
the network being wireless or using
Ethernet connections as meaning it was a
LAN, not understanding that a WAN can
also make use of these connections.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

b i 1 mark per bullet to max 2 2 Controls flow of data as BOD for bullet 1.
AO1 1a
Directs packets/data to destination // (1)
directs packets/data in a network AO1 1b Bullet 1 needs to refer to the router
Receives packets/data from the (1) directing the destination e.g. it is making a
network/Internet decision/choice on where to send it.
Forwards packets/data to other
computers on the network/Internet
Connects (different) networks together Bullet 4 - it has to be referring to the
// e.g. joins home network to Interne connection between the Internet and home
Has (public) IP address for LAN network, or forwarding of data between
Designates (private) IP addresses to them. Just referring to accessing Internet is
network nodes not enough.

Do not allow information for data/packets

Examiner’s Comments

This question required candidates to

demonstrate their understanding of a
router and its purpose in a network.
Candidates need to have an understanding
of the purpose of the hardware in a
network as to the roles is performs, and
how it does this. Less able candidates
gave generic descriptions such as ‘it
connects devices together’, or ‘lets a user
go on the Internet’. These are not in-depth
enough to explain the actual purpose of the
router, i.e. to receive packets from a
computer, read the address and forward
the packet to its destination. Similarly, with
access to the Internet, the router receives
the package to go onto the Internet,
packets it appropriately for the new type of
network and then sends it onto the new
network. The more able candidates were
able to describe the purpose of directing
packets to their destination, as opposed to
sending it arbitrarily to other devices.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

ii 1 mark per item to max 2 2 Accept modem, power line adapter,

e.g. AO1 1a Ethernet jack
(2)
Network Interface card / NIC Must be an item of network hardware
Wireless access point / WAP
Wireless network interface card / WNIC
/ wi-fi card
Bridge
Switch
Hub
Repeater // wireless extender/booster
Server
Examiner’s Comments

Many candidates were able to identify at

least one device, most commonly switches
and hubs.

c i Domain Name Server // DNS. 1 Allow Server/service/system

AO1 1a
(1)

Examiner’s Comments

This question required an understanding of

a Domain Name Server/System to convert
URLs to IPs. Few candidates were able to
identify this system, with many making
guessing such as HTTP. Many candidates
did not attempt to answer this question.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

ii 1 mark for each letter in the correct place 5

1 The request is put into packets AO1 1b
2Е (5)
3 The packets are sent across the network
4D
5А
6 If they have not arrived:
7 A timeout is sent to request the packets
are resent
8 If they have arrived:
9В
10 С

Examiner’s Comments

This question required an understanding of

how packets of data are sent across a
network. Candidates were required to read
through the statements and order them
logically. The more able were able to
identify the appropriate sequence. Less
able candidates confused some of the
statements, such as identifying the request
as being processed before the packets
were received.

Total 13

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

10 Mark Band 3-High Level 8 The following is indicative of possible

(6–8 marks) AO2 1a factors/evidence that candidates may refer
The candidate demonstrates a thorough (4) to but is not prescriptive or exhaustive:
knowledge and understanding of a wide AO2 1b Indicative Content:
range of considerations in relation to the (4)
question; the material is generally accurate Inhabitants
and detailed. The candidate is able to
apply their knowledge and understanding Connection with the rest of the world
directly and consistently to the context Access to more information
provided. Evidence/examples will be Up-to-date with news
explicitly relevant to the explanation. E-commerce
The candidate is able to weigh up both Communication with people
sides of the discussion and includes Can be used in schools/for education
reference to the impact on all areas Cost (Devices and connection)
showing thorough recognition of
influencing factors.
There is a well-developed line of reasoning
which is clear and logically structured. The
information presented is relevant and
substantiated.
Businesses
Mark Band 2-Mid Level
(3–5 marks) Sell products to wider audience//more
The candidate demonstrates reasonable customers
knowledge and understanding of a range Purchase items from wider range/more
of considerations in relation to the places
question; the material is generally accurate Competitive prices
but at times underdeveloped. Tourism can be advertised
The candidate is able to apply their Online bookings for hotels
knowledge and understanding directly to
thecontext provided although one or two
opportunities are missed. Ethical issues
Evidence/examples are for the most part
implicitly relevant to the explanation. Access to inappropriate/illegal content
The candidate makes a reasonable Lead to social pressure to be online
attempt to discuss the impact on most and get technology
areas, showing reasonable recognition of Cost
influencing factors. Introduces digital and social divide
There is a line of reasoning presented with Threats
some structure. The information presented
is in the most part relevant and supported
by some evidence.

Privacy issues
Mark Band 1-Low Level
(1–2 marks) Tracking of IPs/devices
The candidate demonstrates a basic Social media
knowledge of considerations with limited Unwanted images and videos of
understanding shown; the material is basic people may be put online

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

and contains some inaccuracies. The Risk of threats e.g.

candidate makes a limited attempt to apply phishing/pharming/virus
acquired knowledge and understanding to
the context provided.
The candidate provides nothing more than
an unsupported assertion.
The information is basic and
communicated in an unstructured way. The
information is supported by limited
evidence and the relationship to the
evidence may not be clear.

0 marks
No attempt to answer the question or
response is not worthy of credit

Examiner’s Comments

Most candidates tackled this question well,

demonstrating a good understanding of the
potential issues and structuring an
appropriate response. The most common
responses were given as essays, with the
more able candidates allocating a
paragraph to each to areas given in the
questions.

The question required a discussion of the

impact of the Internet on both the
inhabitants and businesses. A discussion
of the impact requires both positive and
negative impacts. The more able
candidates tackled each area in turn,
giving the positive and negative sides to
each area.

Less able candidates provided limited

depth in their responses, giving an
example of a drawback to a business but
not then expanding this to explain the
potential impact.

More able candidates were able to

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

evaluate the impact and gave a reasoned

conclusion that summarised their findings.

There were some answers where

candidates assumed that without the
Internet the inhabitants had no means of
communication, access to and/or
knowledge of the world beyond their island.

Exemplar 7

This candidate began by describing the

advantages to business, and then the
benefits to inhabitants in paragraph 2.
They have identified a drawback to
inhabitants, and a general drawback of
security risks – covering privacy/ethical
issues. The candidate has covered at least
three of the bullet points given in the
question and given both positive and
negative impacts. It was not credited with
full marks because it was felt there could
have been further expansion e.g. how the
lack of security could impact the
businesses, and an overall conclusion as
to the impact.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

Exemplar 8

This candidate has given a point of

relevance in the first paragraph, but not
explained how this is an impact. They have
also attempted to give a privacy issue, but
this is vague. The second paragraph states
that inhabitants can now be educated, but
they could be without the Internet – this is
not an impact; if they had explained that it
gives easier access to a greater range of
information then this would have been
more relevant. They have identified that
businesses can grow through greater
distribution, but again this is not expanded
suitably into a positive impact. The
candidate has given a couple of points of
relevance and attempted to explain them,
but it is lacking depth and clarity. There are
two areas covered. This is a low-medium
level response, but the relevant points
allowed it to gain access to the medium
band.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

Exemplar 9

The candidate has given a number of

points which are all relevant. They have
covered at least three of the bullet points.
The response lacked depth for each point,
so despite there being a number of points,
these were not explained as to their
impact. This is therefore restricted to the
middle band.

Total 8

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

11 a WAN is over a large geographical area 2 NB Examples of infrastructure / hardware

/ needs to are allowed for
transmit over a large distance // WAN e.g. satellite, phone lines, Internet
a LAN is over a small geographical Allow LAN as Ethernet for second bullet
area.
WAN uses external
hardware / infrastructure / cables / NOT wide area for WAN
network //
LAN has its own Examiner's Comments
infrastructure / cables / network /
hardware due to distance / Many candidates were able to correctly
practicalities identify the difference in size between a
WAN and a LAN. The better candidates
also identified the difference in hardware,
or ownership of the hardware used.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

b 2 marks per benefit 4 Do not allow:

-easy to share data
E.g. -“more secure”

All files can be stored centrally Examiner's Comments

… so workers can access files from
any computer This question was not answered well, with
… all computers can update the central few candidate able to demonstrate an
database / file understanding of client-server and peer-to-
… Peer-to-peer files might be stored peer networks. The most common
on their own computers / spread response was the central storage of data,
across many computers although this was often not expanded to
explain why this is a benefit.

Backups are central

… all data is backed up each time
… individual computers do not need to
backup their own data
… Peer-to-peer may need to perform
their own backups.

Monitor clients
…to ensure they are working correctly

Upgrade software centrally

…so you do not have to install on each
computer individually
Central security (antivirus / firewall)
… do not need to install protection on
all computers
…Peer-to-peer individual security may
need to be installed on individual
computers

Total 6

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

12 a The computers are geographically 1 1 mark only to be awarded for a correct

remote/ distanced/ more than a mile definition.
apart
Communication medium is not owned Accept responses such as the company
by the law firm doesn't own the infrastructure

Do not accept ‘Network over a wide area’

or similar arrangement of wording

b Two advantages from: 4 1 mark is to be awarded for each correct

advantage, with a mark for a discussion of
the advantage related to the law firm. To a
maximum of 2 advantages.
It would offer additional storage (1) so
the firm can take on more cases (1) The total number of marks to be awarded
It is a very efficient method of backing for this task is 4 marks.
up data (1) and so saves the firm time
and money (1) Responses which are not contextualised
It would allow their employees to work will gain a maximum of 1 mark per
from anywhere (1) so they can take advantage (to a maximum of 2
cases from other countries (1) advantages)
It is environmentally friendly (1)
Easy to increase availability of storage
(1)
You don't need specialist network skills
(1) so the firm don't need to employ
more staff (1)
The third party provides security (1) so
the firm saves money on staff and
software/hardware (1)
The third party provides backup (1) so
the firm saves money on staff and
software/hardware (1)
Cheaper as don't need own
infrastructure (1)

Each advantage needs to be

contextualised to gain 2 marks.

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 Mark Scheme

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c Two disadvantages from: 4 1 mark is to be awarded for each correct

disadvantage with a mark for a discussion
of the disadvantage related to the law firm.
You need a constant internet To a maximum of 2 disadvantages.
connection (1) which lawyers who
travel a lot may not always have (1) The total number of marks to be awarded
Reliant on third party to carry out for this task is 4 marks.
security procedures (1) but the firm are
still legally responsible if things go Responses which are not contextualised
wrong (1) will gain a maximum of 1 mark per
Reliant on third party for back up disadvantage (to a maximum of 2
connection (1) disadvantages)
Data stored in the cloud will be
vulnerable to hacking and other threats
(1) which the firm have no control over
(1)
Issues regarding data ownership (1)
Implications of Data Protection Act (1)

Each disadvantage need to be

contextualised to gain 2 marks

Total 9

13 Computers are connected to each 2 For the first bullet point candidates should
other be describing a network – just the idea that
Restricted to a small geographical area computers are connected to “something” is
/ site / other suitable example not enough.
Dedicated wired or WiFi connections
For the third bullet point, just “connected by
cables” is not enough as there is no
indication these are dedicated cables for
the network.

Examiner's Comments

Required candidates to describe what is

meant by a Local Area Network, where one
mark could be for describing each of the
concepts “local area” and “network” in this
context. Candidates who did not gain both
marks often reused these terms in their
answers instead of describing them.

Total 2

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 Mark Scheme

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14 It is easy to add a new node or device 4 1 mark is to be awarded for each correct
reason to a maximum of 4 marks.
Management of the network can be
done centrally
Fewer data collisions can occur
If a node or device fails it does not
affect the rest of the network
A signal does not need to be
transmitted to all computers in the Any valid comparisons to other topologies
network can be awarded marks.

Total 4

15 e.g. 2 Examiner's Comments

This question was intended to be fairly

Can share files / can work straightforward – standard answers for the
collaboratively on same files advantages of having a network in a
Can share hardware resources / context in which most of them are familiar.
suitable example Candidates who did not get full marks here
Can access their files from any either gave answers that were too vague
computer / classroom such as “it allows the computers to
Can work together from different communicate with each other” – which is
computers using instant messaging just a definition of what a network does, not
Centralised deployment of software to an advantage – or they compared a LAN to
all computers a WAN. The weakest candidates even tried
their luck with very generic answers like
“it’s cheaper,” demonstrating little
understanding of the actual subject content
being tested.

Total 2

16 e.g. 2 Accept answers which show how the LAN

is used to monitor the work of employees
rather than advantages of using a LAN in
record log on / log off times general
remote access / view users' screens
audit printing
keylogging
monitor internet usage / downloads
monitoring emails / files sent / copied
inspect files in users' areas

Total 2

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