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Networks and Network Types

FoundationHigherAQA

Practise Networks and Network Types for GCSE Computer Science with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers. A network connects devices to share data; the main types are PAN, LAN and WAN.

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These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA specification. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.

Foundation

WorksheetFoundation · PDFMark SchemeFoundation · PDF

Higher

WorksheetHigher · PDFMark SchemeHigher · PDF

Topic overview

A network is two or more computers connected together so they can share data and resources.

Networks are classified by size. A local area network covers a small geographical area such as a single building or site, and the organisation usually owns the connecting hardware. A wide area network covers a large geographical area, often connecting sites in different towns or countries, and uses infrastructure owned by someone else — the internet is the largest example.

The benefits of networking are sharing files, sharing hardware such as printers, communicating, and managing software centrally. The drawbacks are the cost of setting up, the need for management, and that malware or a server failure can affect every connected machine.

Revision notes

LANs and WANs

A local area network covers a small area such as one building, with the organisation owning the connecting hardware.

A wide area network covers a large geographical area and uses third-party infrastructure. The internet is the largest WAN.

Benefits of networking

Files and data can be shared between users.

Hardware such as printers can be shared, reducing cost. Users can communicate. Software and updates can be managed centrally rather than machine by machine.

Drawbacks

Setting up a network costs money and requires specialist management.

Malware can spread quickly between connected machines. If a central server fails, every user is affected at once.

Key points

  • A network connects computers to share data.
  • A LAN covers a small geographical area.
  • The organisation owns LAN hardware.
  • A WAN covers a large geographical area.
  • The internet is the largest WAN.
  • Malware can spread across a network.

Worked examples

Example 1

State two differences between a LAN and a WAN. [2 marks]

Working

A LAN covers a small geographical area such as one building, whereas a WAN covers a large areagive the first difference
The organisation usually owns the LAN hardware, whereas a WAN uses third-party infrastructuregive the second difference

Example 2

Give two benefits of connecting computers in a network. [2 marks]

Working

Files and data can be shared between usersgive the first benefit
Hardware such as printers can be shared, reducing overall costgive the second benefit

Example 3

Explain one drawback of networking computers. [2 marks]

Working

Malware can spread quickly from one machine to all the others on the networkstate the drawback
so a single infected machine can compromise the entire organisationexplain the consequence

Common mistakes

  • Saying a WAN is just a bigger LAN.

    Ownership of the infrastructure is the key difference.

  • Giving only benefits.

    Cost, management and malware spread are all real drawbacks.

  • Saying the internet is a LAN.

    It is the largest WAN.

  • Confusing a network with the internet.

    The internet is one network; a network can be any size.

Exam tips

  • Contrast LAN and WAN on both area and ownership.
  • Give both benefits and drawbacks.
  • Name the internet as a WAN example.
  • Link malware spread to network connection.

Key terms

Network
Two or more computers connected to share data.
LAN
A network covering a small geographical area.
WAN
A network covering a large geographical area.
Infrastructure
The physical hardware connecting a network.

Related topics

Written and reviewed against the current AQA specification. Spotted an error? Let us know.