Chapter-4

NETWORKS AND THE EFFECTS OF USING THEM

1. Complete each sentence using one item from the list. (10 marks)

Wireless Network Interface Card Local Wide router WLAN Wi-Fi

Bluetooth Wireless Hypertext Markup Language

a. With ________ communication, the data travel through the air rather than
through cables.
b. A card that connects directly to the motherboard of the computer and has
external sockets so that the computer can be connected to a network via
cables is called a_________.
c. _________area networks are those networks that are restricted to a single
building or site.
d. ________ are networks are situated across a wide geographical area.
e. A hardware device that allows several computers to share a single internet
connection is called a _________.
f. A ________ is a wide area network that uses wireless communication rather
than cables.
g. A hotspot is an area where _______ is available.
h. ________ is a method used to transfer data over short distances from fixed
and mobile devices.
i. The Letter W in WLAN stands for _________
j. HTML stands for ---------------.

Answer

a. Wireless
b. Network Interface Card
c. Local
d. Wide
e. router
f. WLAN
g. Wi-Fi
h. Bluetooth
i. Wireless
j. Hypertext Markup Language

2. Which of the following statements are true or false? (10 marks)

 a. The internet is given a number is called its IP(Internet Protocol) address.
(True)
b. Switches are not able to inspect packets of data so that they are
forwarded appropriately to the correct computer. (False)
c. The ranges of Wi-Fi are typically 100m indoors and 50m outdoors. (False)
d. Bluetooth is used with hands-free headsets. (True)
e. A web browser is a program that lets users view web pages stored on the
internet by reading HTML instructions. (True)
f. The internet is a small group of world wide networks joined together.
(False)
g. Huge amounts of information cannot be accessed almost anywhere.
(False)
h. An email is an electronic message sent from one communication device
computer to another. (True)
i. Video-conferencing is possible for employees to work from home. (True)
j. Video-conferencing may be as effective as face-to-face. (False)

3. Explain about Wi-Fi and Advantages and disadvantages of wireless

communication
(10 marks)
Answer
Wi-Fi enables computers and other devices to communicate wirelessly with
each other. Areas where the internet can be accessed wirelessly using Wi-Fi
are called access points or hotspots and they can be found in many public
places, such as coffee bars, hotels, airports, etc. For a home network, the
ranges of Wi-Fi are typically 50m indoors and 100m outdoors.
Advantages of wireless communication:
 Provided you have a wireless signal, you can work in hotels, outside, in
coffee shops, etc.
 You are not confined to working in the same place. For example, you can
work on trains, buses and even some aircraft provided there is a signal.
 Fewer/no trailing wires to trip over.
 It is easier to keep a working area clean if there are not as many wires in the
way.
 There are no networks wires so there are no costs for their installation.
Disadvantages of wireless communication:
 The danger of hackers reading messages.
 There are areas where you cannot get a wireless network.
 There is some evidence that there may be a danger to health.
 Limited signal range.

4. Write short note about Bluetooth. (5 marks)

Answer
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology using radio waves, with a
typical range of 5m to 100m. It enables wireless communication between
devices such as keyboards, mice, headsets, printers, and mobile devices.
Uses of Bluetooth: It is used for wireless communication between
devices, creating small wireless networks, transferring data, and controlling
game consoles.

5. Explain Access to an internet service provider. (10

marks)
Answer
Connecting directly to the internet is very expensive and only
suitable for large companies and organizations. Most people connect to the
internet via an organization called an internet service provider. This is an
organization that supplies the connection to the internet as well as providing
services including:
 Storage on their server, where you can store your website
 Email facilities
 Instant messages where you can send short messages to your friends when
they are online
 Access to online shopping
 Access to news, sport, weather, financial pages, etc.
 When you establish a network connection with an ISP and pay their
subscription charge they generally supply you with a wireless router. This will
enable you to link devices wirelessly, thus forming a network that will allow
users to:
 Share internet access
 Share access to hardware devices such as printers and scanners
 Share access to files held on different computers.
6. Explain about the internet and advantages and disadvantages of the internet
(10 marks)
Answer
The internet is a huge group of world wide networks joined together. The
networks are consists of lots of smaller networks. When you connect to the
internet your computer becomes part of the largest network in the world.
The advantages of the internet:
 Huge amounts of information can be accessed almost anywhere.
 Improved communication systems - this includes the use of text messages,
emails, instant messaging, etc. Changes in the way we shop - many people
prefer to shop online.
 VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) - enables cheap international phone calls
to be made using the internet rather than having to pay for calls using a
mobile or landline telephone. VoIP allows voice data to be transferred over
the internet and allows phone calls to be made without the need to subscribe
and pay for a phone service.
 Can help people with disabilities to be more independent - because they can
order goods and services online.
The disadvantages of the internet
 Misinformation – there are many bogus or fake sites so you need to check
the information you obtain carefully or use only reliable sites.
 Cybercrime – we have to be extremely careful about revealing personal
information such as bank and credit card details.
 Addiction to gambling, as there are many casinos, bingo horse racing, etc.,
betting sites.
 Increased problems due to hacking and viruses.
 Paedophiles look for children using the internet.
7. Explain about two types of network LAN and WAN. (10
marks)
Answer
There are two types of networks: a local area network (LAN) and a wide area
network (WAN)
LAN WAN
Confined to a small area Covers a wide geographical area (e.g.
between cities, countries and even
continents)
Usually located in a single building In lots of different buildings and cities,
countries, etc.
Uses cable, wireless, infra-red and Uses more expensive
microwave links which are usually telecommunication links that are
owned by the organization. supplied by telecommunication
companies (e.g. satellite links)
Less expensive to build as More expensive to build as sophisticated
equipment is owned by the communication systems are used
organization which is cheaper than involving rental of communication lines
renting lines and equipment

8. Explain about WLAN. (10

marks)
Answer
WLAN stands for wireless local area network and means a LAN where the
computers are able to communicate with each other wirelessly. WLAN is the
type of network have in your home where several computers are all able to
access the internet wirelessly at the same time. A WLAN allows users to move
around an area and still stay connected to the internet.
Advantages and disadvantages of a WLAN compared to a cabled LAN
A cabled LAN uses either wired cables or optical fiber cables to send and
receive data over the network. A WLAN provides links that are wireless
between computers and other devices on the network such as printers and
scanners.
Advantages of a WLAN:
 It is cheaper as there is less cabling needed.
 It is very easy to link devices such as printers and scanners to the network.
 You can work anywhere in the building in range of the wireless signal.
Disadvantages of a WLAN:
 There may be areas in a building where the radio signal is too weak.
 There are security problems as the radio signals could be intercepted by
hackers.
 Wireless signals are not as reliable as wired cables and the data transfer
speeds are not as high.
 There can be interference from other electrical and electronic equipment
used in the same building and this can disrupt the wireless signal.

9. Write down advantages and disadvantages of using a smartphone to access

the internet.
(5 marks)
Answer

Advantages and disadvantages of using a smartphone to access the internet

Advantages Disadvantages
Can access the internet anywhere Not easy for parents to police.
there is Wi-Fi or a mobile signal.
You can stay connected whilst Trimmed down websites used with
moving around. smartphones may not give the
 information required.
Device is very portable and you are Small screen and keyboard are hard to
likely to have access to it more than use.
other computer.

10. Write down

advantages and disadvantages of using a tablet to access the internet.
(5 marks)
Answer

Advantages and disadvantages of using a tablet to access the internet

Advantages Disadvantages
Lighter and more portable than Smaller screen compared to laptops and
laptops and desktops. desktops can make then harder to use.
Larger screen compared to On-screen keyboard is more difficult to
smartphones makes then easier to use compared on a laptop or desktop.
use.
Easier to use when standing up Using in an awkward position, may lead
compared to a laptop or desktop. to health problems.

11. Write down

advantages and disadvantages of using a laptop to access the internet.
(5marks)
Answer

Advantages and disadvantages of using a laptop to access the internet

Advantages Disadvantages
Portable compared to a desktops Not a portable as a smartphone or
computer. tablet because of its size and weight.
Almost full-size keyboard is easier Screen and keyboard are attached and
to use compared to those on a this can lead to backache.
tablet or smartphone.
Fairly large screen makes reading Touchpads are harder to use compared
wen pages easier. to a mouse when there is no flat
surface available.
Can be used when a flat surface
is not available.