Higher Computing Unit 1 – Peripherals and Interfaces and Network Questions
1.
(a)
(b)
What is a buffer?
Explain the function of a buffer within a printer interface.
2.
A network has a file server and a print server. Name one other type of server that the
network may have.
1
2
1
3.
Lambside council want to network their stand-alone computers. What piece of hardware
will need to be present in their computers to allow this to happen?
1
4.
Customers bring their image files into a shop on flash cards and CD-R. Peter has to be
able to read the files from these different formats. Explain one advantage of each format
over the other for the customer.
2
5.
Peter is replacing his colour inkjet printer. Describe one technical characteristic that the
printer should have. Justify your answer.
2
6.
Two functions of an interface are data format conversion and handling of status signals.
Describe both of these functions.
2
7.
When using software, Connaidh is worried about breaching the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act. Describe two ways in which she could breach copyright.
2
8.
Sophina buys a new laser printer. When printing a 200 page document, the computer
makes use of spooling.
(a)
What does the term spooling mean?
(b)
The printer has a parallel interface. Describe the difference in operation between a
parallel and serial interface. You may use a diagram to illustrate your answer.
4
9.
A local council sets up an intranet within their headquarters. Internet access is made
available through a web server on the intranet. Apart from allowing shared Internet
access, state two functions that the web server is likely to provide the local council.
2
A scanner connects to a computer via a USB interface. Two functions that an interface
provides are protocol conversion and the handling of status signals. Describe both
these functions.
2
A group of friends get together and set up a network of their computers in order to play
some multi-player games.
(a)
They are unsure of which topology to use for the network. Give one benefit of
using each of the following:
(i)
a star topology;
(ii)
a bus topology.
2
10.
11.
(b)
(c)
The friends create a client-server network. State one advantage and one
disadvantage of a client-server network compared to a peer-to-peer network.
2
One of the friends begins to copy the game from the server to his own hard drive.
(i)
What piece of legislation covers this activity?
1
(ii)
Describe a situation where the copying of a piece of software from one
computer to another would be legal.
1
12.
Describe how a printer spooler works.
2
13.
(a)
(b)
1
Draw and label a diagram of a mesh network with five nodes.
Explain how the topology of a mesh network includes protection against the
consequences of channel failure.
1
14.
John connects his camera to his computer. One function of the interface is the handling
of status signals. Describe what is meant by the term status signals.
2
15.
There are a large number of pictures on John’s hard disk. The combined size of all of his
photographs is 3Gb.
He can use a solid-state storage device or rewritable DVD to take all of his photographs
to his chemist shop for printing. Recommend one of these devices and justify your
choice.
1
16.
Crawford Construction Ltd has employed a systems analyst to investigate the
possibility of networking all of the computers in the company.
(a)
The systems analyst recommends a client-server network. State two benefits
of a client-server in terms of network management.
2
(b)
Describe two technical factors that have contributed to the growth of LAN’s.
2
(c)
LAN’s may use a hub or a switch. Explain the difference between the two.
2
(d)
The LAN is connected to the Internet.
(i)
State one benefit of installing a web server.
(ii)
Describe two possible problems which could arise from connecting the
LAN to the internet.
17.
18.
Two types of topology are:
- ring;
- star.
(a)
For each of these topologies draw and label a diagram with 6 nodes.
(b)
Which of the above topologies would be least affected by a channel failure?
The proposed layout of a new office network is shown below. Cables are used to connect
the network.
B
A
INTERNET
1
2
2
1
(a)
A router and a hub are used in the above network.
(i)
State which device, A or B is the router. State one reason to justify your
choice of device.
2
(ii)
State which device, A or B is the hub. State one reason to justify your
choice of device.
2
(b)
After the network has been installed, it is discovered that data traffic on the
network is slow.
(i)
State one technical change which could be made to improve network
performance.
(ii)
Explain how this change will improve network performance.
1
1
Name a type of server that allows web pages to be accessed within a LAN.
1
(c)
19.
20.
State one advantage of using serial over parallel transmission when sending data
to a printer.
1
James wants to make copies of some photographs. He intends to use a scanner to
capture the photographs and an ink jet printer to print the final images.
State one technical characteristic that the printer should have. Justify your answer.
2