Specific knowledge required for AS and A Level:
- Candidates need to understand the definition and purpose of a network.
- Candidates need to understand the purpose of, and importance of using, protocols.
- Candidates should be able to discuss examples of protocols that may be used in a network/ the internet (but will not be asked to recall information about any specific protocol).
- Candidates should understand the term standard, and the purpose and need for standards in a network (or any situation where data is transferred).
- Candidates need to understand the purpose and benefits of layering protocols, particularly within the TCP/IP stack. Candidates need to know the different layers within the TCP/IP stack and the purpose of each.
- Candidates need to understand how data is transmitted on the Internet, the use of IP addresses and packets in the transfer of data. (NB: Candidates are not expected to be familiar with the OSI model).
- Candidates are expected to understand the terms LAN and WAN.
- Candidates need to understand how the Domain Name System is used to find the IP address of a URL.
- Candidates need to understand the purpose, function, benefits and drawbacks of both packet and circuit switching.
- Candidates need to understand the difference between a client-server and peer-to-peer network.
- Candidates need to know the benefits and drawbacks of each type of network and be able to recommend one for a given scenario.
Specific knowledge required for A Level ONLY:
- Candidates need to understand that there are a range of security issues and threats involved with networked computers.
- Candidates need to be aware of threats such as hackers, viruses, unauthorised access, denial of service, spyware, SQL injection, phishing and pharming.
- Candidates need to know about ways of minimising, or preventing these threats for example firewalls, secure passwords, anti-virus, anti-spyware etc.
- Candidates need to have knowledge of the hardware required to connect to and/or build a network (e.g. modem, router, cable, NIC, Wireless Access Points, hub, switch etc).
- Candidates need to understand the purpose of the hardware, but are not required to understand how they physically work.
Static link to the videos for this topic:
We update our flipped classroom videos from time-to-time to keep them relevant. This can be troublesome if you put links to the videos on your VLE because the hyperlink address will change with each update. The link below will take you to a static playlist for all the videos in this section that you can safely put on your VLE, ensuring you always have a path to the latest videos, and no broken links.
