AS Level Edexcel IT flashcards UNIT 1

flashcards on UNIT 1, done based on spec

What is a digital device?

Physical equipment that sends, receives, stores, or processes digital data.

Give two examples of input peripheral devices.

Keyboard and touchscreen.

What are the portability features of mobile phones?

Lightweight, long battery life, wireless connectivity, faster RAM and processors, big storage capacity.

List the media formats for storage media.

Memory cards, flash memory (USB), and optical disks (CD ROM).

What are the main features of storage hardware?

Capacity, data storage, speed, cost, backup, and data retrieval.

Give two examples of storage hardware.

Hard disk drive (HDD) and solid-state drive (SSD).

Name the two types of user interfaces.

Voice interface and graphical interface (icons, windows).

What is expansion capability in storage?

Adding more drives for data-intensive tasks like data mining.

How do storage systems ensure security?

Encryption, especially when handling sensitive data.

What does GPS stand for?

Global Positioning System.

Who uses GPS?

Pilots, scientists, and rescue workers.

What are the main types of sensors used in digital devices?

Light sensor, accelerometer, motion sensor, and temperature sensor.

What does ROM stand for?

Read Only Memory.

What does RAM stand for?

Random Access Memory.

What is when more transistors are fitted onto an integrated circuit (IC)?

Miniaturisation

What is a transistor?

A very small component in a computer that controls the flow of electricity.

What can be included in devices to keep track of them?

RFID tags

What technology is used in making contactless payments with devices?

NFC.

What does QR code stand for?

Quick Response Code

Give an example of technological convergence.

Smartphones combine a phone, camera, GPS, music etc.

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

Is when everyday home devices and sensors are connected to the internet.

What are the function of embedded systems?

Enable smart functionality in everyday objects, allow devices to be smaller, cheaper and more efficient, and are a key part of technological convergence and the IoT.

What is firmware?

The basic instructions that allow a system to function.

What does BIOS stand for?

Basic Input/Output System.

What are the benefits of capacity in a device?

More storage offers convenience, supports more applications, and improves users' experience.

What is the file size formula?

File size = (sample rate × bit depth × duration × number of channels) ÷ 8

How many bytes are in a kilobyte?

1024 bytes.

What is the first step to converting Denary to Hexadecimal?

Division by 16.

What is system software?

Software that provides services needed by the computer to manage hardware and system operations.

What is application software?

Software that provides services needed by the user to carry out tasks.

How does an operating system manage devices?

Controls input/output devices and manages interrupts.

How does an operating system manage processes?

Allocates memory and CPU time to tasks, supporting multitasking.

What is Free software?

Is software that allows the user to study, modify and share the source code.

What is Open-software?

Software that allows the user to study, modify and share the source code; a fee is not charged for the software.

What is Proprietary software?

Software that is not distributed with the source code.

What is Creative Commons?

A licensing method for sharing software that allows creators to specify what users can and can’t do.

Why are software updates important?

Fixes bugs, adds new features, improves security, changes the interface.

What is a patch update?

A small, quick-fix update released to correct bugs or security issues.

What is a Network Interface Card (NIC)?

Hardware that allows a device to connect to a wired network (via ethernet).

What does a Hub do?

Network hardware that devices connect to so they can send data to each other.

What is a Switch?

Network hardware that reads MAC addresses to send data to the correct device.

What does MAC address stand for?

Media Access Control address.

What does a Router do?

Network hardware that reads IP addresses to send data to the correct network/device.

What does a Modem do?

Network hardware that converts between analogue and digital signals.

What does a Gateway do?

Network hardware that acts as a translator between two networks.

What does a Bridge do?

Network hardware that is used to connect one LAN to another LAN.

What does a Repeater do?

Network device that is used to boost the strength of an electrical signal.

What is the function of a repeater?

Boosts weakened or distorted network signals for longer distances.

What are microwaves?

High frequency waves (1-300GHz) that are short in wavelength.

What uses radio waves to communicate with satellites in orbit?

Satellite

What are the features of a client-server network?

Central server manages network and client devices request data/services.

What are the functions of a server in client server network?

Stores files (file server), hosts websites (web server), manages printing.

What are the benefits of a Peer-to-peer network?

Cheap to set up and maintain, and easy share resources.

What are the drawbacks of a Peer-to-peer network?

Weak security, users responsible for backing up data, and drops in performance with many users.

What are the features of a ad hoc network?

Temporary, no central point of control, and devices connect spontaneously.

What is network tethering?

Connects a device to a mobile phone’s data hotspot.

What is the speed network metric?

The rate at which data is transferred across the network.

How are speed and bandwidth measured?

Bits per second (bps) or bytes per second (Bps).

Which communication protocol connects devices in a LAN via cables?

Ethernet

What is the speed of Ethernet?

Up to 100 Gbps.

What are the features of a wireless network?

Flexible, widely used, but affected by congestion/interference.

What is the purpose of Bluetooth?

Short-range communication between personal devices.

What is the purpose of ZigBee?

Used in IoT for connecting smart devices (e.g. smart bulbs).

What is the purpose of cellular networks?

Connects mobile phones and devices to the internet or phone network.

What is the purpose of Infrared?

Short distances, line of sight communication (e.g. remote controls).

What is the function of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model?

Ensures different devices and software can communicate on a network using consistent steps.

What are the layers in the OSI model?

All People Seem To Need Data Processing

What is the function of the transport layer in the OSI model and TCP/IP model?

Manages error checking and data segmentation.

What does the application layer in the TCP/IP model do?

Handles software interactions (HTTP, FTP).

What does the link/physical layer in the TCP/IP model do?

Handles hardware addressing and data transmission.

Give an example of a MAC address

3C:5A:B4:01:63:D2

Give an example of an IPv4 address.

128.11.32.40

What are the pros and cons of static IP address?

Reliable, easy to track and manage, but higher risk of targeted attacks.

What is the function of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)?

Automatically assigns dynamic IP addresses to devices on a network.

What is authentication?

A method used to verify the identity of a user when they’re trying to access a device/account.

What is two-factor authentication?

Requires a password and a second verification step (code sent to your phone).

What are access rights?

Restrictions that are placed on who can see and edit data.

What do firewalls do

Examines data incoming and outgoing from a computer or network.

What is fraud?

Using stolen data for illegal financial gain.

What is the function of anti-malware software?

Involves scanning for, detecting, and removing malware (e.g. viruses, spyware).

What does physical control do?

Prevents unauthorised physical access to hardware.

What does encryption do?

Scrambles data to make it meaningless.

What are Web servers?

Hardware that is used to store web pages and respond to requests for those web pages.

What guidelines that technologies must follow so that they are able to communicate effectively with each other?

Open standards

Give some examples of online working enviroments.

Google Workspace, Zoom, and Microsoft SharePoint.

What are the benefits of working online for individuals?

Remote working and improved work-life balance.

What creates an active digital footprint?

Posting on social media, sending emails, and submitting online forms.

Data you share online deliberately

What is Data extraction?

What creates a passive digital footprint?

Website tracking your visit, your IP address and location, and cookies storing your behaviour.

What is a digital footprint?

Record of all of a person’s activity online.

Online working environments

There’s many communication tools, these make it easier for individuals and organisations to have meetings.

What are the impacts if your device is hacked?

Fraud, Identity theft, intellectual property theft, revenge or protest.

Why do people join online communities?

Belonging, shared purpose, increasing knowledge, global connection.

What is Targeted advertising?

Showing ads relevant to community interests is a targeted advertising.

What is Paid subscriptions?

Access to premium content behind a paywall with a subscription fee.

For measures that you put in place to help keep you and the things that you own safe

Have a lock on you door avoid talking to strangers and keep to routes and areas that you know are the safer places.

What is cloud storage?

Remote servers that provide data storage that you can access from a remote location using the internet.

What are IT Systems?

IT system - all the hardware and software that are combined to create a whole system.

What are the main components of an IT system?

Hardware, software, processes, and people.

What is decomposing?

Breaking down a problem, design or system into smaller parts.