Personalised Feedback Sheet for IGCSE Section 4 - Networks

Name: Amina Taj

Target grade: A
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: 31/54
Percentage: 57.407407407407405%
Grade: D
Your personal targets:
1.
2.

To revise the 8 key principles of the Data Protection Act.

To revise the definition of an Intranet and be able to describe differences
between the Internet and an Intranet.
3. To understand the definition of a Network and be able to explain
advantages of networking devices together.
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
disadvantage of a WLAN. (4)
A LAN is different to a WLAN because a WLAN is wireless. An
advantage of a WLAN is that its cheaper to install as theres
less wires. A disadvantage is someone could get into your
system by figuring out your password.
7. Give two advantages and disadvantages of having
computers networked. (4)
A 1: You can access the internet and look at webpages
A 2: You can communicate with friends and family via e-mail
D 1: Its slow to access the internet as everyone will be at the
same time
D 2: You are more likely to catch a virus
8. To protect the customers data the company owner will make
sure the system uses encryption. Describe encryption. (3)
Its a method of protecting data by scrambling files before they
are sent over a network to stop them being intercepted by
hackers. It also makes sure that if the file is intercepted by
someone they are unable to read it.
9. Describe the role of a proxy server when a LAN is connected
to the internet.
11. Describe four differences between an Intranet and the
Internet. (4)
Answer 1: An intranet has restricted access
Answer 2: Intranets are usually used in schools
Answer 3: Internet is used by everyone
Answer 4: Internet has all data

12. Mobile phones are used for accessing the internet. Give two
advantages and two disadvantages of using a mobile phone
rather than a PC to access the internet.
Advantage 1: You can access the internet anywhere providing
you have connection
Advantage 2: Its portable so you can carry it in your pocket or
hand.
Disadvantage 1: The screen isnt as big
Disadvantage 2: You dont always have connection
13. Explain the purpose of the Data Protection Act and one of
the principles. (2)
The purpose is to ensure that peoples data is secure and cant
be accessed by anyone without their permission. A principle is
that its kept safe and secure.
14. Give three advantages of video conferencing. (3)
Advantage 1: You dont have to travel anywhere.
Advantage 2: You can video conference from home or work
offices.
Advantage 3: You can hold meetings.