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Lesson 3 of 6
  • Year 10

Real-world networks

In this lesson, we will further develop our understanding of networks. We will look at the three main types of networks, LAN, WAN, and PAN, and at the different topologies that these networks can use in their design.We will carry out an activity in which we will plan a business network to meet the requirements of a fictional company, Fabgadget Inc.

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Lesson 3 of 6
  • Year 10

Real-world networks

In this lesson, we will further develop our understanding of networks. We will look at the three main types of networks, LAN, WAN, and PAN, and at the different topologies that these networks can use in their design.We will carry out an activity in which we will plan a business network to meet the requirements of a fictional company, Fabgadget Inc.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will further develop our understanding of networks. We will look at the three main types of networks, LAN, WAN, and PAN, and at the different topologies that these networks can use in their design.We will carry out an activity in which we will plan a business network to meet the requirements of a fictional company, 'Fabgadget Inc.'.

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This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
MAC addresses are used to ensure each piece of hardware has its own unique address. What does MAC stand for?

Media Access Configuration
Correct answer: Media Access Control
Media Account Control
Multiple Access Configurations

Q2.
If each pair of digits in a MAC address is written between hexadecimal 00 and FF, what are the decimal equivalents of these?

Correct answer: 0-255
0-256
1-255
1-256

Q3.
Select one STRENGTH of WIRED networks from those listed below:

Expensive to lay cable
Correct answer: Faster transmission speeds than wireless networks
Radio waves can be intercepted easily
Uses less equipment and switches
Wired networks require lots of switches and equipment

Q4.
Select one WEAKNESS of WIRED networks from those listed below:

Correct answer: Can be difficult to get cable to all locations required
Harder to intercept data being transmitted
Less prone to interference
Not suitable for mobile devices
Radio waves can be affected by interference

Q5.
Select one STRENGTH of WIRELESS networks from those listed below:

Easy to connect more devices
Harder to intercept data being transmitted
Not suitable for mobile devices
Radio waves can be intercepted easily
Correct answer: Wired networks require lots of switches and equipment

Q6.
Select one WEAKNESS of WIRELESS networks from those listed below:

Can be difficult to get cable to all locations required
Easy to connect more devices
Quicker to install — one WAP can network a whole office
Correct answer: Radio waves can be intercepted easily
Uses less equipment and switches

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does LAN stand for?

Large area network
Correct answer: Local area network
Local area node

Q2.
Which of the following is NOT part of a PAN?

Bluetooth headset
Correct answer: File server
Smartwatch

Q3.
What type of network is a mobile phone network?

LAN
PAN
Correct answer: WAN

Q4.
Are switches and firewalls more likely to be found in home or business networks?

Correct answer: Business
Home

Q5.
What is the most commonly used network topology in modern networks?

Bus
Ring
Correct answer: Star

Q6.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of the bus network?

Correct answer: Backbone is single point of failure
Central node is a single point of failure
The whole network is as slow as the slowest link between any two nodes