Personalised Feedback Sheet for IGCSE Section 4 - Networks

Name: Alexander Elliott

Target grade: B
General feedback/class needs:
There was a lot of material covered in this unit from the definition of a network,
to LANs, WANs, WLANs, network hardware, security, authentication methods,
video conferencing, Fax, Email and the Data Protection Act. This meant that there
really wasnt anywhere to hide if you didnt do your revision. Unfortunately for
many of you, this was your problem in this test. If you look back over the lessons
you did:

Notes from each topic

Multiple practise exam questions
Revision lessons

Worse you all went over the correct answers in class and you also had access
to ALL past exam questions, answers and revision material on my site, so even if
you didnt get it the first time you couldve improved by doing some revision.
Those who didnt do so well also fell in to the same old traps:

Not reading the question or relating to it in your answer

Giving short or one word answers when you need to explain yourself!

These three things should now be considered so basic that no one is making
these mistakes. There is no magic formula for passing a test and no one is just
better than you, it all comes down to how much work youve done and are
prepared to do. If you are able to sit yourself down, practise questions from my
site and test yourself then you stand a chance of doing seriously well.
Finally, you have GOT to stop talking about hackers in your answers! It seems
that as soon as one of you is unsure of an answer you revert to itll get
hacked!!! This is NEVER going to be an exam answer so please, stop using it
unless I explicitly tell you that its ok.
Your performance:
Marks: 33/54
Percentage: 61.111111111111114%
Grade: C
Your personal targets:
1. Go over Data protection act
2. Refresh my memory on Proxy servers
3. Ensure my writing is readable
Challenge/Extension
Copy out and answer questions 2, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 from the test, with
their full and correct answers.

2: A large company has a LAN .The manager of the company wants to replace it
with a WLAN. Explain the differences between a LAN and a WLAN, giving an
advantage and a disadvantage of a WLAN
The difference between a WLAN and a LAN is that WLANs have very little cables
while a LAN has lots in order to link the devices. LANs also require more money
as you have to buy the correct cables. The disadvantage of a WLAN is that its
connectivity may not reach all areas of the building or be poor. An advantage of
a WLAN is that it doesnt cost a lot to setup and maintain.
7: Give 2 advantages and disadvantages of having computers networked.
Advantage 1: Links all computers together meaning they can share data easily
Advantage 2: You can communicate using IM between other computers easier
Disadvantage 1: Equipment is expensive
Disadvantage2: Costs a lot to run and maintain
8: To protect the customers data the company owner will Make sure the systems
uses encryption. Describe Encryption.
Answer: Encryption scrambles up the letters in a package so only the recipient
with the decryption key can unscramble it. It means it is therefore impossible for
hackers to read it
9: Describe the role of a proxy server when A LAN is connected to the internet
It is part of the firewall and filter and manage internet connection
11: Describe 4 differences between an intranet and the internet
1] The internet is public
2] Intranets are private
3] Intranet is confined to 1 building
4] Intranets are exclusive to 1 organisation
12: Mobile phones are used for accessing the internet. Give 2 advantages and
disadvantages of using a mobile phone rather than a PC to access the internet.
A 1] Mobiles are portable.
A 2] Most hotels or restaurants will have a WI-FI hotspot
D 3] There may not be a hotspot around
D 4] Hotspots may not be free e.g. restaurants/ Hotels
13) Explain the purpose of the Data protection act and 1 of the principles.
It controls how your data is used by businesses and the government
1 of its principles is it not transferred outside the U.K without adequate
protection

14) Give 3 advantages of video conferencing.

A1) Good for international calls
A2) You can still attend a meeting if you are away from work
A3) Can keep in touch with friends/relatives abroad

15)Give 3 disadvantages of video conferencing.

D1) It is not as secure as face to face meetings.
D2) Group calls can sometimes cost money
D3) Can sometimes have connectivity issues