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J277 1.3.1 Network types and roles

Part 1 of 7 · J277 1.3 · Networks

The opening worksheet of OCR J277 section 1.3, separating the area a network covers from the roles computers perform on it.

Students will:

  • distinguish a LAN from a WAN
  • give common examples of both
  • describe the roles of clients, servers and peers
  • compare client-server with peer-to-peer
  • recommend a suitable arrangement for a scenario

Inside: 4 text sections, 1 multiple-choice activity, 3 completion activities, 6 written answers. 22 marks. Suggested teaching time: 40–60 minutes. 1 diagram.

Includes a teacher guide with suggested sections, timings and common misconceptions.

Series: J277 1.3 · Networks, part 1 of 7.

Shared by Coding PathwayVerified teacher

  • 14 cells
  • About 45 minutes
  • CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Shared 17 Aug 2026
  • Updated 27 Oct 2026

Preview

The whole resource, exactly as a class sees it. Answers and marking are held back.

Network types and roles

A network connects devices so they can communicate and share resources, such as files or a printer. We can describe its geographical area and the roles of its computers separately.

1. LAN or WAN?

TypeArea and infrastructureExample
LAN: local area networkA small geographical area. Hardware is usually owned/managed by its user or organisation.A home or one school site.
WAN: wide area networkA large geographical area, often linking LANs. It commonly uses a third party's infrastructure.A company's sites in different cities.

Infrastructure means the equipment and connections carrying data. A third party is another organisation, such as a telecommunications company. Device count alone does not decide LAN or WAN.

Fill in the blanks2 marks
A network connecting one house is a Answer 1. A network linking offices in different countries is a Answer 2.
  • LAN
  • WAN
  • server
  • client
Written answer2 marks

A college connects 700 computers across one site using its own network equipment. Give two reasons for classifying this as a LAN.

Students type their answer here.

2. Who requests and who provides?

In client-server, a client computer or program requests a service; a server provides it. A file server stores and returns files. A web server sends web pages. A client is the requesting device/program, not the person using it.

In peer-to-peer, devices share directly. Each peer can request resources and provide its own resources, without a dedicated server.

ArrangementUseful featureLimitation
Client-serverAccounts, permissions and backups can be managed centrally.A dedicated server costs money and needs administration. Its service may be unavailable if it fails.
Peer-to-peerA small group can share resources without paying for a dedicated server.Backups and access rights must be managed on individual peers. A resource may be unavailable when its peer is off.

A LAN can use either arrangement. These labels describe roles, not geographical size.

Two ways to describe the same network A school network can be a LAN because it covers one site, and client-server because clients request services from a server. Area and computer roles answer different questions. Where does it reach? One school site → LAN Area and network infrastructure Who provides the service? Clients request; a server provides → client-server Computer roles
Fill in the blanks3 marks
In client-server, a Answer 1 requests a service and a Answer 2 provides it. In peer-to-peer, each Answer 3 can do both.
  • client
  • server
  • peer
  • switch
Multiple choice1 mark

A laptop requests a web page from another computer. What is the laptop's role in this exchange?

  • AServer
  • BClient
  • CWAN
  • DPrinter
Written answer2 marks

A student uses a school computer to open a file held on a file server. Describe the roles of the client and server in opening this file.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer2 marks

A college needs the same access permissions on all its student computers. Explain one advantage of using client-server for this requirement.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer2 marks

A school's only file server stops working. Explain the effect on students trying to open files stored only on that server.

Students type their answer here.

3. Apply the idea

A useful reason links a network feature to a need. For example: a business can change account permissions on one server, so staff receive consistent access from different computers.

Now consider a different arrangement. Read all the requirements before choosing.

Written answer4 marks

Three illustrators share a room. They occasionally share files and a printer, have a small budget and manage their own backups. Recommend client-server or peer-to-peer. Give two reasons linked to their requirements.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer2 marks

Three illustrators share a printer through one illustrator's computer on a peer-to-peer network. Explain one limitation if that computer is switched off.

Students type their answer here.

Fill in the blanks2 marks
A theatre has computers on one site and a server providing centrally managed accounts. (a) Geographical network type: Answer 1 (b) Computer-role arrangement: Answer 2

Review

Revisit one reason that earned no credit. Add the missing network feature or link to the requirement. Keep geographical type separate from computer roles.