New
New
Year 11
OCR

Hosting services

I can describe the hardware required to use the cloud for hosting services.

New
New
Year 11
OCR

Hosting services

I can describe the hardware required to use the cloud for hosting services.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Servers are used to host services across the internet; clients access and use those services.
  2. The cloud provides services for software and storage.

Keywords

  • Hosting - storing a website or an online service on a server, so it can be accessed over the internet

  • Software as a service (SaaS) - software hosted online and usually accessed via a web browser or app without needing to install it on your own device

Common misconception

You don’t need any hardware for the cloud — everything just happens online.

The cloud still relies on physical hardware, like servers, storage devices and networking equipment.


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

Emphasise that cloud services rely on physical hardware in remote data centres. While users don't manage this equipment directly, it is essential for storage, processing and hosting services.
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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main purpose of a network model like TCP/IP or OSI?

Correct answer: to standardise how devices communicate
to increase device speed
to store files
to create websites

Q2.
How many layers are there in the TCP/IP model?

Correct Answer: 4, four

Q3.
What does the term 'layer' mean in a network model?

a type of hardware
a software update
a network cable
Correct answer: a level that describes part of the communication process

Q4.
Which protocol is commonly associated with the transport layer of the TCP/IP model?

HTTP
Correct answer: TCP
IP
DNS

Q5.
Match each protocol to the correct TCP/IP layer:

Correct Answer:HTTP,application

application

Correct Answer:TCP,transport

transport

Correct Answer:IP,internet

internet

Correct Answer:ethernet,link

link

Q6.
What happens during decapsulation?

data is encrypted
devices are connected
Correct answer: data is unpacked as it moves up through layers
Layers are added

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the term for a device or user that requests services from a server in a network?

Correct Answer: client, clients

Q2.
Match each keyword to its definition:

Correct Answer:hosting,storing a website or service on a server

storing a website or service on a server

Correct Answer:SaaS,software accessed online, not installed on your device

software accessed online, not installed on your device

Correct Answer:client,a device that uses services from a server

a device that uses services from a server

Correct Answer:server,a computer that provides services or data over a network

a computer that provides services or data over a network

Q3.
Arrange the steps for accessing a cloud service:

1 - connect to the internet
2 - open the cloud service
3 - request information
4 - receive data from the server

Q4.
Which statement about software as a service (SaaS) is correct?

Correct answer: it is accessed online without installing it on your device
it must be installed on every computer
it is only for gaming
it requires no internet connection

Q5.
What is the cloud mainly used for?

charging devices
printing documents
Correct answer: providing online software and storage services
building computers

Q6.
Why are data centres important for cloud computing?

they provide free internet to everyone
Correct answer: they house the servers and equipment needed for cloud services
they make computers more heavy
they are only used for gaming