A school connects its desktop computers to the network using cables.
Give two reasons why the wired connections give better network performance than the wireless connections.
Mark scheme
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
Example answers and how they were marked
The wired connection is not affected by interference from other devices, and it has a lower latency than Wi-Fi.
Why: Interference point (1) and lower latency point (1).
It has a faster transmission speed and the users can move around the building with their computers.
Why: Faster transmission speed (1); moving around is a benefit of wireless, so is not credited.
It is easier to set up the network and the users do not need a password.
Why: Neither point is about network performance; the mark scheme does not accept 'easier to set up' or password points, so no marks.