GCSE – Section A – Tools, Techniques and Systems www.ict-teacher.

com

 <Type your name in here> 

NETWORKS
Networks have been defined as:
‘Two or more computers that are connected together to share resources such as
hardware, data, and software.’
‘Communications system connecting two or more computers and their peripheral
devices to exchange information and share resources.’
‘A computer network is a system for communication among two or more computers.
These networks may be fixed (cabled, permanent) or temporary (as via modems).’
These definitions all seem to point to the following conclusions:
1. Networks have to have more than one computer.
2. Networks are computers that are connected together.
3. Networks allow hardware (including peripheral devices such as printers, scanner etc.), data,
and software to be shared.
4. Networks allow computers to communicate with one another so that information can be
exchanged.
Computer networks can vary enormously in size. A simple computer network can be set up at home
using cables or wireless connections. A complex computer network may have thousands of
individual workstations in many different countries connected to it via cabling, wireless, or even
satellite connections.
There are two main types of network. These are:
• Local Area Networks (LAN) – are usually confined to a single building or site.
• Wide Area Networks (WAN) – cover a wider geographical area (e.g. anywhere in the World).
Networks do have advantages and disadvantages over a stand-alone computer.

Advantages of networks Disadvantages of networks

• Peripheral devices (e.g. printers, scanners) • Networks can be expensive to install and
can be shared. operate.
• Software can be shared. • Networks can be temperamental.
• All users can access and update files from • Server breakdowns cause the whole
anywhere on the network. network to stop working.
• Data and software can be stored centrally. • Any network breakdowns can cause chaos.
• Network security can ensure that only • Security must be of the highest level
authorised users can access data. possible to ensure that unauthorised access and
infection by computer viruses are prevented.

What advantages and disadvantages does a stand-alone computer have over a network? (Hint: A
disadvantage of a network may be an advantage for a stand-alone computer, and an advantage of a
network may be a disadvantage for a stand-alone computer.)

Advantages of a stand-alone computer Disadvantages of a stand-alone computer

•  <Type an advantage here>  •  <Type a disadvantage here> 

NETWORKS - Page 1
GCSE – Section A – Tools, Techniques and Systems www.ict-teacher.com

•  <Type an advantage here>  •  <Type a disadvantage here> 

•  <Type an advantage here>  •  <Type a disadvantage here> 
•  <Type an advantage here>  •  <Type a disadvantage here> 
•  <Type an advantage here>  •  <Type a disadvantage here> 

There are a variety of different ways in which computers can be grouped together to form networks.
These are called network topologies. Use a search engine (like Google) and the Internet to find a
definition for the following expression:

Network topology  <Type your definition here> 

A line network.
The server, each computer
workstation, and the peripheral
devices are connected to a single
shared cable via a branch cable.

A ring network.
The server and each computer
workstation are connected
together in sequence via a single
looped cable. The peripheral
devices are connected to the
server via individual cables.

NETWORKS - Page 2
GCSE – Section A – Tools, Techniques and Systems www.ict-teacher.com

A star network.
The server is connected to each
computer workstation via an
individual cable. The peripheral
devices are connected to the
server via an individual cable.

Many computer networks have combinations of these topologies. For example, each network in a
computer room may be organised as a ring network, whilst each computer room is connected
together by a star network.
Networks that have or more computers that are more powerful than the others are called
hierarchical networks. These more powerful computers usually look after specific functions on the
network and are called servers (e.g. file servers, printer servers). File servers manage all the files
stored on the network, including program and data files, and are also used to store program and data
files. Printer servers manage all the printing requests on the network.
It is not possible to create a network just by connecting computers together. Networks need specific
software and hardware in order to work including:
• A network operating system.
• Network cabling (e.g. metal or fibre optic cables) and connectors or wireless media (e.g.
radio, microwave, or infra-red).
• Network cards.
The quality of the software and hardware used will determine the speed at which data is transferred
(i.e. the data transfer speed)1.
Domestic computers can be connected to a WAN network like the Internet by normal telephone
lines or by broadband connections. In both cases the computer will need to be equipped with either
an external or internal modem. The modem converts digital signals into analogue signals that can be
sent along telephone lines and convert analogue signals it receives back into digital signals the
computer can use. The speed of a modem (e.g. 56,000 bits per second) determines how quickly
signals can be sent and received.

USB modem.
The modem connects to the cabling coming
from the network. Once it has converted the
incoming signals from analogue to digital it uses
a USB connection to pass the signals onto the
computer it is attached to.

1
The data transfer speed is the speed at which data is transferred from the server to a
workstation or terminal. Download time is the time this data transfer takes.

NETWORKS - Page 3
GCSE – Section A – Tools, Techniques and Systems www.ict-teacher.com

Wireless router and modem.

The modem connects to the cabling coming
from the network. Once it has converted the
incoming signals from analogue to digital it uses
a wireless connection to send the signals to the
local computer or computers.

Modem is an abbreviation of two words. Use a search engine (like Google) and the Internet to find
the two words that have been abbreviated to form the word modem:

Mod …  <Type the word that begins 'Mod …' here> 

… em  <Type the word that begins '… em' here> 

It is possible to connect to a WAN network like the Internet without using a modem. This
alternative uses ISDN technology. ISDN is an abbreviation for the expression INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS DIGITAL NETWORK. It does not need to convert the signals going to or coming from
the computer into an analogue signal so that it can be transmitted; instead it uses a terminal adapter
to link to the network via special cables. The result is a faster data transfer speed.
The modem and ISDN both have advantages and disadvantages. Complete the following matrix so
that is shows the advantages and disadvantages of each technology:

Modem ISDN

Advantage Disadvantage Advantage Disadvantage

Cost of installation is less  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 

Cost of installation is more  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 

Running cost is less  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 

Running cost is more  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 

Data Transfer Speed is  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 
faster

Data Transfer Speed is  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 
slower

Needs no special cabling  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 

Needs special cabling  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 

The Internet has given many people access to a huge range of services and information. One of
these services is electronic mail – Email. Email has brought about a change in the way in which
people communicate. Before email was developed information had to be communicated between
individuals by:
• Post.
• Telephone.

NETWORKS - Page 4
GCSE – Section A – Tools, Techniques and Systems www.ict-teacher.com

• Fax.
Now, the facilities email provides can replace almost all of these older forms of communication.
What are these facilities?

This typical email toolbar shows some of the facilities an email has. The most important are:

New  <Type in what this facility does> 

Reply  <Type in what this facility does> 

Reply to all  <Type in what this facility does> 

Forward  <Type in what this facility does> 

Address Book  <Type in what this facility does> 

Priority  <Type in what this facility does> 

Attachment  <Type in what this facility does> 

The following image shows a typical email. As you can see, some of the facilities are being used.

NETWORKS - Page 5
GCSE – Section A – Tools, Techniques and Systems www.ict-teacher.com

The person who sent this email could have used other means to send this message out (e.g.
telephoned each member of staff; written a message to each member of staff) but they chose to use
email because of its advantages.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of the following alternative methods of
information communication technology?

Post Telephone Fax Email

Messages arrive quickly (less than a  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 
day).

Messages may take a long time to  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 
arrive (more than a day).

Messages can include images.  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 

Messages cannot include images.  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 

Messages arrive as hard copy or can be  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 
printed out.

Messages do not arrive as hard copy or  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 
cannot be printed out.

The sender can be sure that the  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 
recipient has received the message.

The recipient can send a reply as soon  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 
as they get the message.

The recipient cannot send a reply as  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 
soon as they get the message.

NETWORKS - Page 6
GCSE – Section A – Tools, Techniques and Systems www.ict-teacher.com

It can cost less than 1p to send a  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 
message.

It can cost more than 30p to send a  < or x>   < or x>   < or x>   < or x> 
message.

Which of these technologies has the most ticks?  <Type the name of the technology here> 

Which of these technologies has the fewest ticks?  <Type the name of the technology here> 

List the advantages of email (i.e. the statements that  <Type the first statement here> 
have been ticked).  <Type the second statement here> 
 <Type the third statement here> 
 <Type the fourth statement here> 
 <Type the fifth statement here> 
 <Type the sixth statement here> 

If you have completed all the work correctly you should now know the following:
• What a LAN and a WAN are.
• The advantages and disadvantages of networks and stand-alone computers.
• What a modem is and what is does.
• What ISDN is and what its advantages and disadvantages are.
• Why email has become so important, what facilities it has, and how it compares with the
post, the fax, and the telephone as a means of communication.
You may now print this work off and store it in your user area so that you can use it to revise from
at a later date.

Extension Task:
A new school is being built and its ICT network will use WiFi. What is WiFi, and how will it make
it easier for pupils, students, and staff to have access to the network?

NETWORKS - Page 7