Identify the role of a router in a network.
Mark scheme
- C It forwards data packets towards their destination (1)
- The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is forwards data packets towards their destination.
- A is not correct because a router does not add the destination IP address to each data packet, the sending device does
- B is not correct because a router does not check each data packet for errors, the receiving device does
- D is not correct because a router does not put data packets back into the correct order, the receiving device does
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1
C It forwards data packets towards their destination
Why: Correct option: a router passes each packet on towards its destination (1).
No marks0/1
D It puts data packets back into the correct order
Why: Near miss: reordering is done by the receiving computer using the sequence numbers, not by a router, so D is not credited.
No marks0/1
B It checks each data packet for errors
Why: Shows the misconception that error checking happens at every router; the receiving device checks packets, so B is not credited.