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174 Terms
What is bandwidth?
The amount of data that can be transmitted over a connection per second.
What is latency?
The delay before data begins travelling across a network.
Which is usually more important for video calls: bandwidth or latency? Why?
Both are important, but high latency causes noticeable delays in communication.
Give one advantage of fibre optic cable over copper cable.
Higher speeds and lower latency.
Why do fibre optic cables transmit data faster than copper cables?
Because they use light signals rather than electrical signals.
A company transfers large files between offices every day. Should it choose copper or fibre optic? Why?
Fibre optic because it provides higher speeds and can handle large data transfers efficiently.
What is Wi-Fi?
A wireless technology used to connect devices to a network.
What is Bluetooth?
A short-range wireless communication technology.
What is NFC?
Near Field Communication used for very short-range communication such as contactless payments.
Why would Bluetooth be a poor choice for networking an entire school?
It has limited range and supports fewer devices than Wi-Fi.
When might satellite communication be the best choice?
In remote areas where other connection methods are unavailable.
What is 5G?
The fifth generation of mobile communication technology providing high speeds and low latency.
Why can a connection with high bandwidth still feel slow?
High latency, congestion or contention may affect performance.
A gamer complains of lag despite having fast broadband. What network characteristic is most likely causing the issue?
High latency.
What is a network?
A collection of connected devices that communicate and share resources.
Why do organisations use networks?
To share resources, communicate and manage data efficiently.
What is a router?
A device that forwards data between networks.
What is a switch?
A device that forwards data to the correct device within a network.
What is a WAP?
A Wireless Access Point that provides wireless connectivity to a network.
What is a NIC?
A Network Interface Card that allows a device to connect to a network.
What is a server?
A computer that provides services and resources to other computers.
What is a firewall?
A security system that monitors and filters network traffic.
Explain the difference between a router and a switch.
A router connects different networks together, while a switch connects devices within the same network.
What is a PAN?
A Personal Area Network covering a small area around an individual.
Give an example of a PAN.
A smartphone connected to wireless earbuds using Bluetooth.
What is a LAN?
A Local Area Network covering a single site such as a school or office.
What is a WAN?
A Wide Area Network covering a large geographical area.
What is the largest WAN in the world?
The Internet.
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network that creates an encrypted connection across a public network.
Why do remote workers often use VPNs?
To access company resources securely over the Internet.
Explain one benefit of using a network.
Resources such as printers and files can be shared between users.
Explain one drawback of using a network.
A network failure can affect multiple users at once.
A company has offices in Manchester and London. What type of network would connect both sites?
A WAN.
How does a switch know where to send data?
It uses device addresses to forward data to the correct destination.
What is packet switching?
The process of breaking data into packets before transmission.
Why is packet switching useful?
It allows data to travel efficiently across networks.
What is TCP?
Transmission Control Protocol.
What is the main advantage of TCP?
It provides reliable transmission through error checking and packet ordering.
What is UDP?
User Datagram Protocol.
Why is UDP commonly used for gaming and streaming?
It prioritises speed over reliability.
What does HTTP stand for?
HyperText Transfer Protocol.
What is HTTP used for?
Loading and viewing web pages.
What does HTTPS provide that HTTP does not?
Encryption and secure communication.
What is FTP used for?
Transferring files between devices.
What does SMTP do?
Sends emails between mail servers.
What does IMAP do?
Allows users to access email while it remains stored on the server.
What does POP3 do?
Downloads emails from a server to a device.
What does DNS do?
Converts domain names into IP addresses.
What does SIP do?
Starts, manages and ends VoIP communication sessions.
What does RTP do?
Transports real-time voice and video data.
A user types www.bbc.co.uk into a browser. Which protocol helps find the matching IP address?
DNS.
A user is making an Internet phone call. Which two protocols are most likely involved?
SIP and RTP.
Why is HTTPS preferred for online banking?
It encrypts data being transmitted.
What is encryption?
The process of converting data into an unreadable format without a key.
Why is encryption important when transmitting data?
It helps prevent unauthorised access.
What is a digital certificate?
A certificate used to verify the identity of a website or organisation.
How does HTTPS use digital certificates?
To prove a website is genuine and establish trust.
What is packet sniffing?
Intercepting and examining network traffic.
What is a man-in-the-middle attack?
An attacker secretly intercepts communication between two parties.
How does WPA3 improve wireless security?
It provides stronger encryption and improved protection against attacks.
What is contention?
When multiple users share bandwidth and reduce performance.
What is jitter?
A variation in latency that affects real-time communication quality.
Why is jitter a problem during video calls?
It causes inconsistent audio or video delivery.
What is compression?
The process of reducing file size.
Why is compression useful?
It reduces storage requirements and transmission times.
What is lossless compression?
Compression that reduces file size without losing any data.
Give an example of a lossless file format.
PNG or ZIP.
What is lossy compression?
Compression that removes some data to reduce file size.
Give an example of a lossy file format.
JPEG or MP3.
Why is JPEG usually smaller than PNG?
JPEG uses lossy compression and removes some data.
Would you use lossy or lossless compression for legal documents? Why?
Lossless because all original data must be preserved.
What is a codec?
Software or hardware used to encode and decode media files.
Why are codecs important for streaming video?
They reduce file size while maintaining acceptable quality.
What is a digital device?
A device that uses digital data and performs input, processing, output and storage.
Give three examples of digital devices.
Smartphone, laptop, server.
What are the four main functions of a digital device?
Input, processing, output and storage.
Why would an organisation use a server instead of a normal PC?
A server can support multiple users and provide shared services.
What is an SSD?
A Solid State Drive that stores data using flash memory.
What is an HDD?
A Hard Disk Drive that stores data magnetically on spinning platters.
Why are SSDs generally faster than HDDs?
They have no moving parts and can access data more quickly.
What is RAID?
Redundant Array of Independent Disks used to improve reliability and performance.
What is accessibility technology?
Technology that helps users with disabilities access IT systems.
Give an example of accessibility software.
A screen reader.
Give an example of accessibility hardware.
An adapted keyboard.
What is an operating system?
System software that manages hardware and software resources.
Name three operating systems.
Windows, macOS, Linux.
What is an RTOS?
A Real-Time Operating System designed for instant processing and responses.
Why would a GPS system use an RTOS?
It requires immediate processing of location data.
What does GUI stand for?
Graphical User Interface.
What does CLI stand for?
Command Line Interface.
Why might an IT administrator prefer a CLI?
It provides powerful tools for configuration and troubleshooting.
What is utility software?
Software used to maintain, optimise and protect a computer system.
Give three examples of utility software.
Antivirus, backup software and disk cleanup software.
What is application software?
Software designed to perform tasks for users.
Why is compatibility important when choosing software?
The software must work correctly with existing hardware and systems.
What is interoperability?
The ability of systems and software to work together effectively.
Why do companies often consider staff skill levels when choosing software?
To reduce training costs and improve productivity.