A-LevelComputer ScienceCommunication and internet technologies9618/12 · Oct/Nov 2022 · Q106 Marks

A Local Area Network (LAN) consists of four computers, one server and a switch. The LAN uses a star topology. A router is attached to one of the devices on the LAN shown in part (a) to connect the LAN to the internet.

(a)Complete the following diagram to show how the hardware is connected. [Figure: A switch in the center, with 'Computer', 'Computer', 'Server', 'Computer', 'Computer' boxes around it. Lines missing to connect them to the switch.][1]
(b)(i)Identify the device. Give a reason for your choice.[2]
(b)(ii)Describe the role and function of the router in the network.[3]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] all four computers directly connected to the switch and no other connections.
[1] Device: Server
[1] Reason: Server processes the requests and authorises traffic // firewall software on the server authorises traffic // server acts as the proxy
[1] Device: Switch
[1] Reason: Switch is connected to all the computers // to share access to the router on the network
[1] receive packets from devices / internet
[1] find destination of packets using the IP address
[1] forward packets to the destination
[1] assign private IP addresses to devices on LAN
[1] store/update/maintain a routing table
[1] find most efficient path to destination
[1] maintain table of MAC and IP addresses
[1] provides the LAN with a public IP address
[1] acts as a gateway
[1] performs protocol conversion
[1] acts as a firewall

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