14

A business has a customer services section. The business is considering a new Local Area
Network (LAN) for this section.
(a) Describe what is meant by a Local Area Network.

[2]
The following are some comments made by the Chief Executive to the IT Manager.
(b) I am concerned that only the staff in the Customer Services team should have access to the
LAN.
(i) State what authentication technique will be used for this.
[1]
(ii) Identify what hardware will be in place to restrict the access to the LAN.
[1]
(c) I understand if the network is to be a wired network, there is a choice about the type of
cabling used.
Name and describe two types of cabling. Suggest a benefit for each cable type. The
benefits should be different.
Cable type 1
Description

Benefit

Cable type 2
Description

Benefit
[6]
(d) Many customer enquiries will be dealt with over the World Wide Web; so each computer in
the LAN needs access to the Internet.
Name the additional hardware needed to provide access to the Internet.
[1]
UCLES 2014

9691/31/M/J/14

15
(e) With the Internet connection, I am concerned that we will get unauthorised access to our
LAN.
Name the hardware and/or software needed to prevent unauthorised access.
[1]
(f) Customer Services staff must be able to get access to a centralised store of customer data.
Our business deals with thousands of customers. They produce millions of transactions.
Explain what hardware and software will be needed to enable this.
Hardware

Software

[3]

UCLES 2014

9691/31/M/J/14

[Turn over

Page 8

(a)

Syllabus
9691

A number of computers which are connected ...

Over a small geographical area / or by example site / building
A. over a short distance

(b) (i)
(ii)

(c)

Mark Scheme
GCE A LEVEL May/June 2014

Paper
31
(1)
(1)
[2]

Use of (user IDs with a) password

Use of biometrics / fingerprint / retina scanner

[1]

domain controller // file server to authenticate log-ons

fingerprint/retina scanner
A. firewall

[1]

Possible benefits
Optic fibre:
data travels at the speed of light / provides for faster data transfer
not affected by moisture / (electro-magnetic) interference
impossible for the data to be hacked
high bandwidth possible
Twisted pair:
less chance of interference from magnetic forces in close proximity
low cost
easy to work with // flexible
Coaxial:
difficult for the data to be hacked into
screened to avoid (electro-magnetic) interference
Mark as: 2 3 marks per type

[6]

(d)

Router

[1]

(e)

Firewall //proxy server

[1]

(f)

Hardware
Large amount of hard-disk storage
Database server
Software
Database Management Software (A. DBMS)
R. database
Computers must have some form of client software to access the database //
Software must be specially written to access the DBMS // A. browser if
followed by some form of explanation

Cambridge International Examinations 2014

[Max 3]

17
2

(a) Below are some terms and definitions for devices used for networking.
(i) Match up each device on the left with its definition. Draw a line connecting each
description to the appropriate network device.

For
Examiner's
Use

(ii) Complete the missing component name.

Router

Hardware or software to control

unauthorised access to a private
network

Bridge

Hardware used to convert

analogue signals to digital signals
(and vice versa)

Firewall

Hardware used to connect nodes

in a circuit switching network

Switch

Circuit board which connects the

computer to a network

Modem

Device to direct packets across a

packet switched network

Device used to connect two bus

network segments to allow
communication between all nodes
[6]

UCLES 2013

9691/33/O/N/13

[Turn over

18
(b) (i) Networks use a variety of different media for communication.

For
Examiner's
Use

Name and describe two of these media.

Medium 1

Medium 2

[4]
(ii) A new communication link is to be constructed in a network.
Name one factor that will be considered when deciding on the medium to be used.
[1]

UCLES 2013

9691/33/O/N/13

Page 8
2

Mark Scheme
GCE A LEVEL October/November 2013

Syllabus
9691

Paper
33

(a) (i)
Firewall

Hardware or software to control

unauthorised access to a private network

Modem

Hardware used to convert analogue

signals to digital signals (and vice versa)

Switch

Hardware used to connect nodes in a

circuit switching network

Network
Interface
card

Circuit board which connects the

computer to a network

Router

Device to direct packets across a packet

switched network

Bridge

Device used to connect two bus network

segments to allow communication
between all nodes
[5]

(ii) Network (Interface) card

(b) (i) Copper wire/coaxial/twisted pair
Wire conducts electricity // changing current denotes different signals
Optic fibre cabling
Separate fibres used for separate signal
Data travels very fast
Signal transmitted as light pulses/travels at the speed of light
Radio/Microwave signals
Wireless communication // allows for mobile communication
Mark as 2 2
(ii) Maximum possible distance
Speed of communication // data transfer rate

[1]

MAX 4
[1]
[1]
MAX 1
[Total: 11]

Cambridge International Examinations 2013

12
3

(a) Describe two different media used for the transmission of data across a wide area
network.
1

2
[4]

(b) A company has three retail shops Shop A, Shop B and Shop C located in different
towns.

Shop A has a Local Area Network (LAN) consisting of five computers.

o A file server on this network (ServerX) contains all the administration and
order processing data for all three shops.
o A second file server (ServerY) authenticates all logons.
Shop B and Shop C each have a single computer which connect to the network of
Shop A.

The shops are connected over a Wide Area Network (WAN) using a star topology.
Complete the diagram showing the additional hardware needed for this LAN and WAN.

Shop B

Shop A

Shop C

[4]

UCLES 2012

9691/31/O/N/12

For
Examiner's
Use

13
(c) The LAN in Shop A is to be expanded to 40 computers. The computers are to be
organised as two network segments.

For
Examiner's
Use

What additional hardware is required? Explain its purpose.

Hardware
Explanation
[2]

(d) The management is considering setting up a company intranet.

(i) Describe two benefits to the company that an intranet could provide.
1

2
[2]
(ii) Intranet content will be viewed with browser software available on all computers.
Name the type of file server used to make the intranet pages available.
[1]

UCLES 2012

9691/31/O/N/12

[Turn over

Page 6
3

Mark Scheme
GCE A LEVEL October/November 2012

Syllabus
9691

Paper
31

(a) Two different media

-Copper wire
o Use of the existing telephone network
o Dedicated leased-line
o Broadband enabled line
-Optic fibre cabling
o Uses light // Data travels at the speed of light
o High bandwidth possible
o Many signals can be sent on a single fibre
-Radio signals
o Satellite communications
-Microwave signals
o Communication must be a straight line from sender to receiver

[4]

(b)
Shop B

Shop A

Shop C

Connections from Shop B and Shop C to Shop A

Server X (File Server) connected to the LAN
Server Y (Domain Controller) connected to the LAN
Modem (either at A, B or C)
Firewall (either at A, B or C)
Router (At Shop A only)
(c) Bridge
Allows for communication between the two segments

Cambridge International Examinations 2012

[4]

[2]

Page 7

Mark Scheme
GCE A LEVEL October/November 2012

Syllabus
9691

Paper
31

(d) (i) Benefits of an Intranet

Improved communication between shops
Provide information which is only available to company employees / restricted access
Limited access
Webmaster need only be concerned about the browser used by the company
Better security over company data/information
[2]
(ii) Web server

[1]

Cambridge International Examinations 2012

C165435_COMP2_Jan_2009

8/5/08

15:56

Page 6

Areas outside
the box will
not be scanned
for marking

6 A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is the address of a resource on the Internet. For
example, http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/computing_new.php.
Explain the different parts of this address.
6

(i) http://....................................................................................................................................

(ii) www.aqa.org.uk ..................................................................................................................

6 (iii) /qual/gce/computing_new.php ............................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(3 marks)

(06)

M/Jan09/COMP2

(a)

(i)
(ii)
(iii)

the protocol used

// this is the hypertext transfer protocol;

address of Aqas World Wide Web server;

R domain name

the path/location of the file/resource;

OR description of folder structure;

Areas outside
the box will
not be scanned
for marking

2
Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

(a) Put one tick on each row of Table 1 to classify each of (i), (ii) and (iii) as either a
URL, a Domain Name, an IP address or a Protocol.
Table 1
URL
(i)

http://www.guineas.co.uk

(ii)

212.58.251.195

(iii)

guineas.co.uk

Domain
Name

IP
Address

Protocol

(3 marks)
1

(b) What is the purpose of a Domain Name Server on the Internet?

.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
____
4

(02)

M/Jan10/COMP2

Computing COMP2 - AQA GCE Mark Scheme 2010 January series

(a)

URL
(i)
http://www.guineas
.co.uk

Domain
Name

9
9

(iii) guineas.co.uk

(b)

Prot
ocol

(ii)
212.58.251.195

IP
Address

1 mark for each correctly placed tick

R Answers with more than one tick on a row.

To translate/convert/resolve domain names into IP addresses;

A FQDN for domain name
Answer must have the CONCEPT of an action
NE To store the domain names and IP Addresses
NE To access the web page without knowing the IP address
NE To link the domain name to the IP address

Do not write
outside the
box

11
10

To request a particular web page on the Internet a user will need to enter into the
address bar of their web browser a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
This is in the form of:

http://www.aqa.org.uk/courses/computing.html
10 (a)

The first part http:// is the protocol.

Describe the following parts of this URL.

aqa.org.uk
............................................................................................................................................

courses/computing.html
............................................................................................................................................
(2 marks)
10 (b)

What is a protocol?
............................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)

10 (c)

A requested page might be found locally on an intranet or it may be found on the

Internet.
State two similarities between an intranet and the Internet.
1 ..........................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
2 ..........................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
(2 marks)

10 (d)

192.120.12.67 is a typical IP address.

Why do people prefer to use a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) rather than an IP
address?
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)

____
6

Turn over

(11)

M/Jan11/COMP2

10

10

10

10

(aqa.org.uk) domain name;

R FQDN
(courses/computing.html) path name // location of
file/resource/object/document // path of
file/resource/object/document;
NE file name

A set of (agreed) rules / codes / signals (for data

exchange between systems);
Agreed standard for communication between computer
systems;

MAX
1

Both use the same protocol;

Both are client-server based;
Both have a similar purpose // both used to share
information/data/resources; A access
Both use TCP/IP;
Both are accessed through the use of a URL;
Concept that web pages can be accessed through a
web browser on either system // use of same software;

MAX
2

Easier to remember a FQDN or converse for IP address

i.e.
IP addresses are less memorable;
FQDN can identify (to a human) what a site is whereas
an IP address cannot // easier to understand;

MAX
1

C138290_CPT1.qxd

6/2/40

5:43 am

Page 11

11

LEAVE
MARGIN
BLANK

9 The following is the identifier of a web page.

http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/index.html
Explain what each of the following parts of the above identifier mean.
(i) http............................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
(ii) www .........................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
(iii) org.............................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
(iv) uk..............................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
(v) qual ...........................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
(vi) index.html.................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
6

END OF QUESTIONS

M/0105/CPT1

GCE - Computing

9.

(i)

Mark Scheme

hypertext transfer protocal//protocal (used) // set of rules (used);

R http format

(ii) www means it is a web site / web page / is on the web / on a web server;
R Internet
R world wide web on its own (n.e.)

(iii) (org means it is) an organisation/non-profit making;

A the type of organisation

(iv) the country of origin//based/registered in the UK;

A site in the UK
R country on its own (n.e.)

(v) the folder name//the subdirectory;

A the directory;

(vi) the file name//the page to be viewed;

A the document name

END OF CPT1 MARK SCHEME

Total

Grand Total

65

C150992_CPT1

6/12/06

13:03

Page 10

LEAVE
MARGIN
BLANK

10
8 Figure 5 shows the home page for the Intranet site of XYZ College.
Figure 5
Simple Text Version

Intranet
Computer Availability

Business

Humanities
Archaeology
English
Geology
Geography
Government and Politics
History
Law
Philosophy
Psychology
Religious Studies
Sociology

Information Technology

(a)

External site

Staff Room

IT Help desk

Weather Site

First Class

Student Services

XYZ College Intranet

Accounts
Economics
Business Studies
Applied Business
Leisure Studies and Travel
& Tourism

Computing

Learning Resources

UCAS CARDS
Would all year one students read the intranet notice about applying for a UCAS card
and follow the instructions, please? This needs completing before the end of term.
STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTIONS
To all students
There are 21 students standing for election as your Student Council and they are
prepared to give their time and ef forts to support you during your time at XYZ College.

Quick Links
COURSE QUALITY QUESTIONNAIRE
Bulletin
Student

....... .....
.... ...... .. ..... ... ..
. .....
.. .. .. . .... ......
...... ...... ... ..
.. ... ..... .. .. .. . ..
.. .....
.. .. .. . .... ......
....... ..... .. ... .....
.. ... ..... .. .. .. . ..
..... ... .. ....... .....
....... ..... .. ... .....
.... ...... .. ..... ... ..
..... ... .. ....... .....
.. .
..
..
.... ......
.... ...... .. ..... ... ..
.. ... ..... .. .. .. . ..
.. .. .. . .... ......
....... ..... .. ... .....
.. ... ..... .. .. .. . ..
..... ... ..
....... ..... .. ... .....
..... ... ..

Read the
Student
Bulletin

ucas.com
Information Available Here

EXAM CERTIFICATES
Year 2 students please collect your AS exam certificates from the Exams Of fice.
APPLICATIONS FOR UCAS CARD
Year one students thinking of going to university are advised to apply for a UCAS
(Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) Card by completing the registration
on the UCAS web site this term.
The card will enable you to receive constant updates from UCAS and also discounts
at selected shops and stores. You will be able to use it when we take you to the
Higher Education Fair at ThisTown next March. Any university stands you visit will be
able to take an imprint of your personal details to maintain contact with you. This can
save a great deal of time and trouble for you.

Careers Information

WRITING AN EFFECTIVE
PERSONAL STATEMENT
STUDENT COUNCIL
Intranet site
Search Engines
Engine 1
Engine 2

(i) What is an Intranet? ...................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
(ii) Give two reasons why a student would use this Intranet site.
1..................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
2..................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2 marks)

M/Jan07/CPT1

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MARGIN
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11
(b) The college also has an external website shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6
http://www.xyzcollege.ac.uk/index.htm
Contacts

Location

Information

Vacancies

Links

Downloads

Overseas Students

Services to Business

Search For

Sports Academy

in Courses

<

Address
Home

Go

Courses Results News Events Profiles Enrichment Campus Support Moving On F AQs

Campus

The Campus
Please select a building to
view the wide range of
facilities that the college
has to offer.

The Rogers Building

There is currently no
information listed for this
building.

The Zawinal Building

Art and Design

The College occupies a site of eight hectares, of which 70% is sports fields, in the
south of ThisTown.
The College buildings range in age from 1947 to 2003 and take their names from
some of the worlds finest jazz musicians.

The Rollins Building

The Learning
Resource Centre
The Rollins Buidling

Over the period 2000 2003, two major building projects have resulted in the Davis
Building and the Rollins Building, each providing outstanding facilities for teaching
and learning, with additional facilities for music and sport. Also in 2003, the Max
Roach Learning Resource Centre, at the heart of the campus, was extended and
completely refurbished.

The Davis Building

Plans are currently in place for more new building, extension and refurbishment as
the College grows both in size and reputation.

The Coltrane Building

Music
Modern Languages

The Coltrane Building

Explain the various parts of the address bar contents.

(i) http
....................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
(ii) www
....................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
(iii) xyzcollege.ac.uk
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2 marks)

Turn over

M/Jan07/CPT1

Computing - AQA GCE Mark Scheme 2007 January series

(a)

(i)

an internal web site/set of web pages // web site local to an

organisation ;
(web) pages which can only be viewed with authority/provided with
access from the organisation ;
A.
provides internet facilities within the organisation
A.
a LAN which uses internet protocol ;
max 1
R.
R.

(ii)

Local internet
LAN description (alone)

access to / links to resources for learning / access to subject sites ;

anything related to the menu bar ;
access to resources about College facilities ;
info about / news items / read the student bulletin / exams certificates
;
links to UCAS / writing a personal statement / Student council / use
the search engines / access to external web sites

(b)

max 2

(i)

Hypertext transfer protocol // protocol;

(ii)

the pages to be accessed are on the world wide web / (the pages
accessed are from) a web site ;
R. world wide web (only)

(iii) the domain name / XYZCollege.ac.uk is the Colleges domain name

;
the domain name is registered in the United Kingdom ;
R. hosted
in .
.ac is an academic/educational institution / .ac is the type of
institution ;
A. .ac.uk is the type of site / is the top level domain
the alternative to using/the user friendly version of the IP address //
has an equivalent IP address ;
;
max 2
what is held on a Domain Name Server
Total

LEAVE
MARGIN
BLANK

7
6 An example of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is http://www.bbc.co.uk/history.
(a) What part of the above URL constitutes the domain name?
...........................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
(b) Using the URL, explain what each part can tell us.
(i) http............................................................................................................................
(ii) www .........................................................................................................................
(iii) bbc ............................................................................................................................
(iv) co ..............................................................................................................................
(v) uk..............................................................................................................................
(vi) history.......................................................................................................................
(6 marks)
(c) The IP address of the above site is 212.58.224.32.
(i) What is the relationship between the IP address and the domain name?
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
(ii) If each group of digits is stored in one byte, what is the range of possible IP
addresses?
..................................................................................................................................
(2 marks)

10

Turn over
M/S03/CPT1

Advanced Subsidiary Computing (Unit 1)

Mark Scheme

(a)

bbc.co.uk; www.bbc.co.uk;

(b)

(i)

(hypertext transfer) protocol / protocol used / set of rules used; R http

format

(ii)

www means it is a web site/web page/is on the web; R Internet

on a web server/the machine name;

world wide web on its own n.e.
(iii)

(bbc is the)) organisations/companys name/keyword/identifier/ site

name/site owner;

(iv)

(co means it is a) company; A corporation; the type of organisation;

(v)

uk means the country of origin is the UK/based in UK/A site in the UK;
where it is based/located;

(vi)

history is the folder name/subdirectory

(which contains a file with default name of index.html);
OR A history is the page/filename of the web sit/part of the site; A
(specific) topic;

(c)

(i)

domain name has a single IP address;

computer looks up domain name on a (domain) name server
which tells the computer the IP address;
domain name is user-friendly representation of IP number;
IP number/address is numerical representation of domain name;
Domain name maps onto IP address; one-to-one;

(ii)

0.0.0.0 / 0;
to 255.255.255.255 / 232-1 / 2564-1; 4294967295;
each group of digits is in the range 0-255;;

2
Total

klm

10