An organisation that supplies audiobooks over the internet is moving into a new office building.
(a) One reason for networking devices is to provide access to the internet.
(i) Give two other reasons for connecting devices to networks.
(ii) The organisation has chosen wireless connectivity over wired connectivity for its new office building. There is no significant difference in the cost of installing either.
Give three reasons why the organisation might prefer wireless connectivity.
May not have space for cables to be installed
Employees and visitors can move around the building without disconnecting
Adding new users just means giving out the SSID and password
(b) Routers have an important role in how the internet functions.
Describe how a router directs data on the internet.
A large comprehensive school has over 500 computers connected to their Local Area Network (LAN) with a connection to the Internet. (a) Describe, in detail, four disadvantages for the school of having a network of computers compared to stand alone computers
A network manager may need to be employed which might be expensive
Could be infected with a virus that could spread to all other computers
Security problems receive traffic from other networks
Hackers may gain access as the network only as secure as weakest point of entry to data and steal/destroy
The server/switch could go down (main cable break) so all workstations on the network are affected
Can be expensive to set up as Initial cost of servers, communication devices, switches, network software etc.
Substantial Initial disruption: drilling holes, fitting trunking, running cables between buildings etc…
Can have a slow response time due to heavy network traffic so users cannot work as effectively
Detecting network problems can be more difficult on a network i.e difficult to isolate
Can be slow to log in to a network As it slow to download software/check password
Only limited storage space available on network while one has access to all hard disc drive on standalone computer
Time and effort to set up users o Can just start a standalone and use computer
Distinguish between microwave and a radiowave transmission and a microwave transmission (KCSE 2017 PP1)
Microwaves can cover shorter distances. On the contrary, radio waves can travel a long distance. Radio wave is usually propagated through sky mode while microwave uses the line of sight propagation.
Describe what is meant by a MAC address.
State examples of wireless transmission media
State three functions of a network operating system
State advantages of star network topology
Interfaces enable computer users to interact with the operating system. State three advantages of using a graphical user interface (GUI) for loading programs and files.
What is a computer keyboard?
A computer keyboard is an input device used to enter text, characters, and various commands into a computer or other digital devices.
Explain each of the following function of an operating system
Job scheduling/Process scheduling (2mks)
Memory management (2mks)
State three factors to consider when selecting an operating system to install in a computer (3 marks)
IT technicians are setting up a new file server for a school. Describe the benefits and drawbacks of using a command line interface (CLI) rather than a graphical user interface (GUI) to set up a new file server. (4marks)
Benefits
Drawbacks
What is an Operating System?
State three categories Operating Systems grouped according to user interface
Identify and describe four roles of the operating system when managing the resources of a personal computer.
Manages memory (RAM)
Ensures programs/data do not corrupt each other
Manages processes
Allows the user to run programs
Other roles
Describe four features of the operating system when providing a graphical user interface on a personal computer. Give a suitable example of each feature.
Interfaces enable computer users to interact with the operating system.
(a) State four advantages for using a graphical user interface in loading programs and files
(b) A vehicle assembly company has introduced robots to replace the human workforce. State two effects this would have on the workforce
State four advantages for using a graphical user interface in loading programs and files
Or any other correct response
Advantage @ 1 Mark
Total = 4 X 1 Mark
= 4 Marks
A vehicle assembly company has introduced robots to replace the human workforce. State two effects this would have on the workforce
Or any other correct response
Effect @ 1 Mark
Total = 2 X 1 Mark
= 2 Marks
Distinguish between a file and a folder
A file is a collection of related data given a unique name while a folder is named storage location on a storage media that contains related files