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An office has a LAN (Local Area Network) - OCR - GCSE Computer Science - Question 4 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 4
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. (a) The of... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:An office has a LAN (Local Area Network) - OCR - GCSE Computer Science - Question 4 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Draw the devices and connections in the office star network.
Answer
To draw the star network, place the switch in the center. Connect the following devices to the switch using lines to represent cables:
- 4 laptops for each employee
- 1 server
- 1 networked printer Each device should be clearly labeled with its type.
Step 2
Describe the role of the switch in the office network.
Answer
The switch serves as the central connection point in the star network. Its primary function is to receive data packets from the connected devices and forward these packets only to the intended recipient device. This reduces unnecessary traffic and enhances network efficiency.
Step 3
Describe how introducing wireless access could have slowed down the network.
Answer
Introducing wireless access may have slowed down the network due to several reasons. Increased traffic from multiple devices connecting wirelessly can lead to congestion. Additionally, wireless signals can be affected by interference from physical obstacles and other electronic devices, causing delays and reduced bandwidth.
Step 4
Step 5
Explain what is meant by a Virtual Network.
Answer
A Virtual Network is a network created within a physical network infrastructure that allows multiple virtual machines to communicate as if they were in a separate network. It enhances security and management by creating isolated environments for different applications or services, ensuring that traffic remains segmented.