Paper 1 [EQ]

• Identify two other parts of a computer that are not in Fig. 1, which could improve the performance of the computers.

  GPU

  RAM
• (c) Explain one reason why the cache size affects the performance of the CPU.

  Data is being transferred faster
• (d) Identify two events that take place during the fetch-execute cycle.

  Fetch instructions from memory

  Decode instructions
• (b) Identify the three common types of storage Nina can choose from.

  Optical

  Magnetic

  Solid state
• (a) Describe what happens when the computer converts the music into a file.

  Height of the wave is sampled

  Converted into binary
• (ii) Describe one advantage of using layers to construct network protocols.

  A layer can be taken out without affecting the other

  Promotes interoperability between system and vendours
• (c) Give two reasons why the bakery may use a star network topology for their LAN.

  • Easy to add a new device
  • One device not working will not affect the network.
• Staff already use strong passwords to protect systems. Explain, with reference to system security, three other ways that the hospital could protect the network system.

  Encryption

  User Management

  Firewalls
• Explain how defragmentation software could overcome the issue of the slow computer system. (3)

  • Reorganises and moves part of the data files which means faster access
  • Collects free space which are grouped together
  • Files are moved to be stored together
• (a) Define what is meant by a Wide Area Network.

  Computers are geographically distanced
• (b) Explain two advantages to the law company of storing their data in the Cloud.

  • Cheaper as don't need your own infrastructure so expenses can go towards other things
  • Provides additional storage so company can take on more cases
• (c) Explain two disadvantages to the law company of storing their data in the Cloud.

  • Data stored in the cloud is vulnerable to hacking which the law company cannot do anything about
  • Require a stable internet connection lawyers travel a lot so they may not have that
• Consider the impact on

  Cultural Issue - Need to own the newest phone to fit in with pairs

  Environmental issue - Equipment is sent abroad, Phone hardware not available Toxic Waste, Waste of resources, Excessive landfill

  Ethical issue - Lead to ill health, digital divide, social divide, high cost of new devices

  Smart phone users - Can affect people in the country

  
• Embedded system

  • Specific function [limitations]
  • Designed for specific microprocessors
• Layla uses a backup utility. She performs both full and incremental backups

  Explain the reasons why Layla performs both full and incremental backups

  • Allows user interface allows the client to communicate with the hardware for example GUI
• (a) Describe the environmental impacts of the company bringing out new devices twice a year.

  • Increases pollution
  • Increases natural resources being used
• (b) Describe the cultural impacts of the company bringing out new devices twice a year.

  • Social pressure
  • Increase digital divide
• Describe how packet switching can be used when sending data from one site to the other. .......................................................................................................................................

  • Data is broken down into Packets
  • Packets are sent the fastest route across the internet by the router
  • Does not arrive in order
  • Packet numbers used to put packets in order
  • If packets are missing a timeout message is sent
  • Once all have arrived, confirmation is sent to the device
• Describe what is meant by a virtual network.

  • Non-physical network
  • Multiply physical network can appear as a virtual network
• List the acts

  Copyright Designs and Patents Act

  Computer Misuse Act •

  Freedom of Information Act •

  Computer Misuse Act •

  Data Protection Act // GDPR

  
• Two examples of metadata

  • The colour depth
  • The size of the image in bits
  • The resolution of the imagine in bits
  • Time of creation
• What are the layers for sending data

  1. Application layer (Allows communication between client and server)
  2. Transport layer (Splits data into packets)
  3. Network layer (Adds IP address of sender and recipient)
  4. Data Link Layer (Sends data over physical network. Adds MAC address of sender and recipient)
• What are the layers for receiving data

  1. Data Link Layer(Sends data over physical network and assigns MAC address to sender and recipient)
  2. Network Layer (Assigns IP address to sender and recipient)
  3. Transport layer (Splits data into packets)
  4. Application layer (Allows communication between client and server)
• Explain why the number of devices using the network at the same time can affect the performance of the network.

  • Bandwidth is split between all devices
  • Slower transmission of data
  • More collisions / loss of packets
• Explain why Ethernet is a standard.

  • To allow compatibility with over devices
  • Ethernet has a high bandwidth
• Identify three tasks carried out by a router.

  • Receives packets
  • Identifies the best route to send the packets
  • Assigns IP addresses to devices
• Explain why the number of devices using the network at the same time can affect the performance of the network

  • Latency increased because loads of requests
  • Bandwidth would be lower because the data being transferred is shared across all the devices
  • More error rates because high collisions
• Identify one other factor that can affect the performance of a network

  • Bandwidth
• The school's network has become very slow. Explain two different reasons why this might be?

  • Number of users connected is high
  • Bandwidth of network is low
• Give three items of hardware needed for a network

  • NIC
  • Router
  • Switch
• The digital video camera uses solid state storage.

  Explain why solid state storage is the most appropriate type of storage for the digital video camera.

  • Portable
  • Reliable
  • No moving parts
  • Fast speed
• William’s computer has utility programs installed including automatic backup. (i)

  William can choose between a full or incremental backup. Identify the backup method william should use

  Answer can be incremental backup or full

  If full :

  • Backup all the data / files software
  • Needs to do a full before he can do an incremental
  • Faster to restore the backup
• William’s computer has utility programs installed including automatic backup. (i)

  William can choose between a full or incremental backup. Identify the backup method william should use


  If incremental

  • Only the changes need to be backed up
  • Takes less time to backup
  • Each backup will take less memory space to store
• A house has computers in each room and a central router. Every room allows both Ethernet and WiFi connections to the router.

  (a) Identify if the house network is a LAN (local area network) or a WAN (wide area network).

  Justify your choice.

  • LAN
  • Small geographical area
  • Connected by own hardware
• Advantages of Propreitary software

  • Support is available if there is a problem
  • Updates are regularly available
  • Tested repeatedly
• Disadvantages of Proprietary software

  • Can be expensive
  • It may be inflexible to users needs
  • Can force you into using one particular platform
• Advantages of Open Source Software

  • License free
  • Source code available to others
  • Can be altered
  • Reliable as people can improve it
• Disadvantage of Open Source Software

  • Updates may not be available
  • May not be anyone to contact if anything goes wrong
• Define what is meant by an embedded system

  • A computer system with a single function inside a larger mechanical unit
• Explain why a duel core processor might improve the performance of a computer

  • Multitasking
  • Dual core means two processors which mean each processor can execute an instruction at the same time