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Cambridge University Press 2011

Types of computer system5

Answers to Revision questions: 5 Computer systems 1Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies

Below each answer there is a page reerence or the coursebook. Tis is there to help you ocus

your revision. I you nd that you get an answer wrong, you can use this guide to return to the

coursebook to revise the areas that need some extra attention. Please note these are example

answers only and do notrepresent the only possible answers.

1 In a batch processing system, data is processed all at once. A person does not need to interact

with the computer as it is processing the data. For example, a utility-billing application is

supplied with a customer database and a le o meter readings. It processes the meter readings

to produce bills or the customers.See Batch processing systems on page 107.

2 Dene the ollowing terms:

a A LAN is a local area network.

b A WAN is a wide area network.

See Types of network on page 111.

3 A bus network has computers connected in a line. All signals are sent to all computers.

computer

terminator

bus

-connector

printer

A ring network has computers connected in a circle. Te signals are sent in one direction until

a computer accepts them.

server

printer

computers

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Cambridge University Press 2011 Answers to Revision questions: 5 Computer systems 2Cambridge IGCSE Computer Studies

A star network has computers separately connected to a central hub. A switch or server directs

signals to the computer they are addressed to.

hub, switchor server

computer

storage

printer

See Network topologies on page 110.

4 a A LAN allows computers to share peripheral devices and WAN connections. Inside the

LAN, computers are generally sae rom malicious intererence.

b A WAN gives users access to worldwide communications. Users can read data held on a

computer anywhere on the WAN and can send messages to other people connected to

the WAN. A WAN can connect several LANS.

See Types of network on page 111.

5 a Te Internet is a WAN. It connects networks and hosts sites on the World Wide Web.

b o access the Internet, a user needs a computer and some sort o modem linking the user

to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Usually it is a telephone landline modem, cable V

modem or mobile broadband modem. Te user may also have rewall hardware to block

unwanted network communication with their computer.

c o access the Internet, a user can use various types o sofware but a web browser is the

most common. It can give access to web-based email but many users access email through

a specic email client running on their computer.

See Types of network on page 111.

6 a An intranet is a private, web-based service on a LAN. A large organisation uses it to provide

inormation to its employees through amiliar web-based tools, such as web browsers. It is

used because only employees can access it.

b An intranet is private and cannot be accessed by any member o the public, unlike the

Internet which can be accessed by anyone through an ISP.

See Types of network on page 111.