New
New
Year 11
OCR

Network performance

I can explain the factors affecting network performance.

New
New
Year 11
OCR

Network performance

I can explain the factors affecting network performance.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Factors such as bandwidth, range, latency and the number of devices connected affect network performance.
  2. Transmission time depends on file size and data transfer rate.
  3. Routing manages network traffic efficiently.

Keywords

  • Bandwidth - a measure of how much data can be transferred in a specific amount of time

  • Routing - the process where routers select the best path for data to travel across a network, using rules called routing protocols

Common misconception

The only factor that affects network performance is how fast your internet connection is.

Connection speed does affect performance, but it is also influenced by factors like bandwidth, latency, number of users, packet loss, hardware quality and interference on wireless networks.


To help you plan your year 11 computer science lesson on: Network performance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ask students to compare home and school network performance, prompting them to think about what might cause differences.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the primary purpose of an IP address?

to store files
to increase internet speed
to secure wireless connections
Correct answer: to identify devices on a network

Q2.
What does the D in DHCP stand for?

Correct answer: Dynamic
Distributed
Digital
Default

Q3.
Which of these best describes the function of DNS?

Correct answer: converts domain names into IP addresses
encrypts internet traffic
connects devices to Wi-Fi
assigns MAC addresses to devices

Q4.
Put these steps in order for accessing a website.

1 - User enters a domain name.
2 - DNS finds the IP address.
3 - Browser connects to the server.
4 - Website is displayed.

Q5.
What is the main reason for using domain names instead of IP addresses?

Domain names are more secure.
IP addresses never change.
Domain names are faster to type.
Correct answer: Domain names are easier for people to remember.

Q6.
What happens if a device does not have an IP address on a network?

It can access the internet but not local files.
Correct answer: It cannot send or receive data.
It can only use wireless connections.
It will have faster network speeds.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which factor describes the maximum amount of data that can be sent over a network in a given time?

Correct Answer: Bandwidth

Q2.
What does latency refer to in a network?

the number of devices connected
the distance between devices
Correct answer: the delay before data begins to transfer across the network
the strength of the Wi-Fi signal

Q3.
Which device is responsible for selecting the best path for data to travel across a network?

Correct Answer: Router

Q4.
What happens to network performance when too many devices are connected at once?

Correct answer: It can slow down.
It always improves.
It stays exactly the same.
It becomes more secure.

Q5.
Which of the following is not a factor affecting network performance?

bandwidth
latency
Correct answer: colour of network cables
number of connected devices

Q6.
Match each term to its meaning.

Correct Answer:bandwidth,the amount of data that can be sent per second

the amount of data that can be sent per second

Correct Answer:routing,the process of choosing the best path for data

the process of choosing the best path for data

Correct Answer:latency,the delay before data begins to transfer across the network

the delay before data begins to transfer across the network

Correct Answer:range,the distance a wireless signal can travel

the distance a wireless signal can travel