Assessments

• State the difference between RAM and ROM. (1 mark)

  RAM is volatile and read and write.

  ROM is non-volatile and read only.
• Give two examples of data that a smart television could store in RAM. (2)

  Currently running programs.

  Current volume.
• Define what is meant by an 'embedded system'. (1 mark)

  A small system of a larger computer with one/few dedicated function(s).
• Convert the hexadecimal number 2F into denary. (2 marks)

  47
• Identify how many unique values can be represented by 4 bits.(1 mark)

  16
• Perform a binary shift of 3 places right on the binary number 10001110. (1 mark)

  00010001
• Identify a character set besides ASCII.

  Unicode.
• True or false?


  The sample rate is the number of times the amplitude is recorded per second. - True

  The smaller the bit depth the smaller the range of sounds recorded . - True

  The larger the sample rate the larger the bit depth. - False

  The frequency and pitch of the sound wave are measured. - False

  Sound is stored using pixels. - False
• Describe what is meant by a LAN.(2 marks)

  A network that covers a small geographical area, normally a single site. Connects few devices together.
• Give two benefits of a LAN. (2 marks)

  Can share files.

  Can share hardware resources.
• Hope has a network in her house.

  Q1. State whether Hope's network is a LAN or a WAN. Justify your choice.

  A1: LAN, small geographical area and not many devices.

  Q2. Devices on the network do not currently have Internet access. Identify one device that Hope can use to connect her home network to the internet.

  A2: A router
• Hope has a network in her house.

  The network has one wireless access point in the kitchen that transmits data on the 5 GHz frequency.

  Q3. When the laptop is in the kitchen, it has better network performance. Explain why the laptop's network performance is lower in the bedroom given that it's above the kitchen on the next floor. (2 marks)

  A3: Because the signals would need to go through the ground of the 2nd floor, and wireless signals are affected.
• Hope has a network in her house.The network has one wireless access point in the kitchen that transmits data on the 5 GHz frequency.


  Q4. State two ways Hope could improve the wireless network performance in the bedroom. (2 marks)

  A4: Put the WAP in the bedroom, install another WAP in the bedroom
• Describe the similarities and differences between a switch and a router. (6 marks)

  Similarities:

  • they transmit data
  • they both send and receive packets
  • they both connect devices

  Differences:

  • switch connects devices
  • routers connect networks
  • switch uses MAC addresses
  • routers use IP addresses
• A website is hosted on a web server. The computers that access the websites are called clients.

  The user enters the Uniform Resource Locator into a web browser. The web browser sends a request to the Domain Name Server for the matching IP address, if found, the IP address is returned. A request is then sent to this IP address.

  An IPv4 address is made of 4 groups of digits, each group can be between the denary values of 0 and 255. The groups of digits are separated by a full stop.
• A law firm currently use a LAN linked to a WAN. They want to upgrade their system to utilise cloud storage. Explain two advantages and two disadvantages to the law firm of storing their data in the cloud. (8 marks)

  Advantages:

  • access the data anytime anywhere with any devices as long as there's an internet connection
  • take cases from other countries
  • automatic backups
  • save money on staff and software/hardware

  Disadvantages:

  • Lack of control
  • Constant internet connection is required - cannot access if no internet connection e.g. travelling
  • Reliant on security but still legally responsible