Practise LANs, WANs and why computers are connected. 12 exam-style questions on this subtopic, at up to four difficulty levels, with full mark schemes and a progress tracker. Free, no account needed.
Cover the answers and test yourself. The app has these as flashcards that come back just before you'd forget them.
State what LAN stands for.
Local area network
Explain how the computers in the three shops can share stock information.
The shops' LANs are joined into a WAN using leased lines or the internet.
State what WAN stands for.
wide area network
Sample questions
Written for this site in the style of Edexcel exam questions. They are not taken from real past papers.
Question 1Easy3 marks
(a) State what LAN stands for.[1]
(b) Give two reasons why the computers in a school are connected together in a network.[2]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)Answer: Local area network
local area network
(b)Answer: Any two from: sharing printers and the internet connection; sharing files; communication; central management; logging on anywhere.
to share resources such as printers, storage or an internet connection
to share files and data / so files can be accessed from any computer
to communicate, e.g. by email or messaging
so that software, updates and backups can be managed centrally
so that users can log on at any computer and access their own work
Question 2Medium4 marks
A dental practice has five computers that are not connected to each other. The practice manager is thinking of connecting them in a network.
Explain two benefits of connecting the computers in a network.[4]
Show the answer and mark scheme
Answer: Shared central patient records kept up to date for everyone; one shared printer, saving money.
patient records could be stored centrally, e.g. on a server
so every member of staff can use the same, up-to-date records from any computer
one printer could be shared
which saves money compared with buying a printer for each computer
the internet connection could be shared
so each computer does not need its own connection
backups could be made centrally
so all the practice's data is backed up in one place automatically
staff could send messages to each other
e.g. to tell a dentist that a patient has arrived
Question 3Hard4 marks
A company sends sensitive data between its offices over a WAN. Explain two reasons why the company must take extra security precautions for data sent across the WAN.[4]
Show the answer and mark scheme
Answer: The links are outside the company's control, so data could be intercepted (encrypt it); outsiders can attempt access (firewalls, authentication).
the data travels over communication links owned by other companies / the internet, which the company does not control
so it could be intercepted, and should be encrypted (e.g. using a VPN)
the company's network is connected to the outside world, so many more people could try to access it
so firewalls and strong authentication are needed to stop unauthorised access
data passes through many devices (e.g. routers) on its way
so it could be read or altered at any of these points unless it is encrypted