Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

• C Router (1)
• The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is router.
• A is not correct because a hub sends data to every device on the network
• B is not correct because a network interface card connects a device to a network
• D is not correct because a switch forwards data within a single network using MAC addresses

Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:

• Faster transmission speed (1)
• Higher bandwidth (1)
• Lower latency (1)
• Not affected by interference (from other devices/walls) (1)
• No blind spots/not affected by distance from the wireless access point (1)

Do not accept benefits of wireless connections, e.g. users can move around the building with their devices

Do not accept 'easier to set up' or 'does not need a password' as these are not about network performance

Award up to two marks for a linked description such as:

• The further a device is from the wireless access point (1) the weaker the signal becomes (1)
• A device outside the range of an access point (1) cannot connect to the network / loses its connection (1)
• Walls and other obstacles reduce the range of the signal (1) so some areas of a building have a poor or no connection (1)
• A wireless network with a greater range (1) allows devices to connect from further away (1)

Do not accept responses that only state that range is measured in metres or give a definition of range, as these do not describe an effect on performance.

Do not accept responses about the number of devices or interference unless they are linked to range.

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

• The receiver can put the packets back into the correct order (1) because packets may arrive out of order/take different routes (1)
• The receiver can see if a packet is missing (1) because the sequence of numbers shows a gap (1)
• The receiver knows when the whole file has arrived (1) because the total number of packets/last packet number is known (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Allow 'so the packets can be put back in the correct order/reassembled' for the first mark, but the second mark needs the reason, i.e. packets may arrive out of order/take different routes.

Do not accept 'so the packets can be identified' without stating what the number is used for, e.g. reordering or spotting a missing packet.

Do not accept 'so the router knows where to send it' - the router uses the destination IP address, not the packet number.

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

• Wireless signals can be blocked or absorbed by walls (1) so the data must be re-sent, which adds delay (1)
• A device further from the access point has a weaker signal (1) so data must be re-sent/transmitted at a lower rate, adding delay (1)
• Devices on a wireless network share a channel (1) so a device must wait its turn to transmit, which adds delay (1)
• Interference from other devices affects the radio signal (1) so data must be re-sent, adding delay (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Allow 'waiting to send' or 'collisions' as the delay caused by devices sharing a channel.

Do not accept 'wireless is slower than wired' on its own, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept a reason that only affects download speed/bandwidth (e.g. 'files take longer to download') without a link to delay.