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J277 1.3.1 LAN hardware and topologies

Part 2 of 7 · J277 1.3 · Networks

Building a LAN from its components, then arranging the connections between them.

Students will:

  • explain what a NIC, transmission medium, switch, wireless access point and router each do
  • distinguish the roles of a switch and a router
  • describe star, full mesh and partial mesh arrangements
  • compare the advantages and disadvantages of each topology
  • recommend hardware and a topology for a scenario

Inside: 4 explanation cells, 5 multiple-choice questions, 2 fill-in-the-blanks cells and 4 written answers. 33 marks, about 75 minutes.

Series: J277 1.3 · Networks, part 2 of 7.

Shared by Coding PathwayVerified teacher

  • 15 cells
  • About 75 minutes
  • CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Shared 17 Aug 2026
  • Updated 9 Sept 2026

Preview

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

Networks 2: LAN hardware and topologies

This worksheet builds a LAN from its components, then considers how its connections can be arranged.

By the end, you should be able to:

  • explain the task performed by a NIC, transmission medium, switch, wireless access point and router
  • distinguish the roles of a switch and a router
  • describe star, full mesh and partial mesh arrangements
  • compare the advantages and disadvantages of star and mesh topologies
  • recommend hardware and a topology for a scenario

Work through the explanation, checks and applications in order. Use the final challenge to connect several network ideas.

1. Hardware for a LAN

Each component has a different task.

  • A network interface controller or card (NIC) allows a device to connect to a network. It may support a wired or wireless connection and is associated with a MAC address.
  • Transmission media are the communication channels that carry data. Copper Ethernet cable carries electrical signals and is common on LANs. Fibre-optic cable carries pulses of light and can support high bandwidth over long distances. Wireless media carry data using radio signals. OCR requires the task of transmission media, not the internal construction of each type.
  • A switch connects devices on a LAN. It learns their MAC addresses, stores them in a MAC address table and forwards a frame towards the intended local interface.
  • A wireless access point (WAP) provides a link between wireless devices and the wired part of a LAN. It may be a separate device or built into a router.
  • A router connects different networks. It examines the destination IP address and forwards a packet towards the appropriate network. In a school or home, it commonly connects the LAN to the Internet.

A switch forwards data within a LAN using MAC addresses. A router forwards packets between networks using IP addresses.

Hardware connecting devices in a school local area network Wired computers connect through network interface controllers and transmission media to a switch. Wireless devices connect through a wireless access point to the switch. A router connects the LAN to another network. School LAN Switchconnects LAN devices DesktopNIC PrinterNIC Ethernet cable Wirelessaccess point Tablet Routerbetween networks to another network
Fill in the blanks5 marks
A label 1 lets a computer connect to the network. The label 2 carry data. A label 3 connects devices within the LAN, a label 4 lets wireless devices join it, and a label 5 connects the LAN to other networks.
  • router
  • NIC
  • wireless access point
  • switch
  • WAN
  • transmission media
Multiple choice1 mark

Which device uses a table of MAC addresses to forward data towards the intended device on a LAN?

  • ARouter
  • BSwitch
  • CWireless access point
  • DTransmission medium
Multiple choice1 mark

A packet must leave the school LAN and travel to another network. Which device forwards it between the networks?

  • ANIC
  • BSwitch
  • CCopper cable
  • DRouter
Written answer4 marks

A classroom has 20 stand-alone desktop computers. The school wants them to share files on a LAN and also wants tablets to connect wirelessly. Name four components or types of hardware and explain the task performed by each.

For each item, write: 'A... is needed because it...'. Choose from NICs, transmission media, a switch, a WAP and a router. Only include a router if another network must be reached.

Students type their answer here.

2. Star and mesh topologies

A topology describes how devices and connections are arranged.

Star

Every device has its own connection to a central switch.

  • If one device or its cable fails, the other devices can continue communicating.
  • Devices are easy to add, remove and manage.
  • The central switch is a single point of failure. If it fails, traffic cannot pass through it.
  • A switch and separate links are required, which adds cost.

Mesh

In a full mesh, every device has a direct link to every other device. In a partial mesh, devices have fewer links but important nodes still have alternative routes.

  • Data may take another route if one link fails, making the network resilient.
  • A full mesh does not depend on one central device.
  • Many links are required, which increases cost, installation work and power use.
  • Fault finding, management and security can be more difficult.

A recommendation should link the feature to the scenario, not simply say that one topology is better.

A topology describes physical or logical connections. It is separate from a network model: the same network can use a star topology and a client-server arrangement at the same time.

Star and mesh network topologies compared In a star, every end device connects to one central device. In a mesh, devices have direct connections to several or all other devices, providing alternative routes. StarMesh switch one central connection point many direct links and alternative routes
Fill in the blanks5 marks
In a label 1 topology every device connects to a label 2. In a label 3 every device connects directly to every other device. A label 4 uses fewer links but can still provide an label 5.
  • central switch
  • star
  • single point of failure
  • alternative route
  • partial mesh
  • full mesh
Multiple choice1 mark

A school network uses a central switch and centrally managed user accounts. Which description is accurate?

  • AIt cannot be classified because star and client-server contradict each other
  • BIt can use a star topology and a client-server arrangement at the same time
  • CThe central switch must also be the file server
  • DEvery star topology is automatically peer-to-peer
Multiple choice1 mark

A single cable between one computer and the switch fails in a star network. What is the most likely result?

  • AOnly that computer loses its network connection
  • BEvery computer loses its network connection
  • CAll data automatically uses a second route
  • DThe LAN becomes a WAN
Multiple choice1 mark

Which statement describes a partial mesh rather than a full mesh?

  • AEvery device has one link to a central switch
  • BEvery device connects directly to every other device
  • CImportant nodes have alternative links, but not every device connects directly to every other device
  • DNo device can communicate if one link fails
Written answer4 marks

Describe one benefit and one drawback of using a mesh topology instead of a star topology.

For each comparison, identify the relevant feature and explain its consequence. Consider alternative routes, number of connections, cost and complexity.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer4 marks

An emergency communications network must keep messages moving when one connection fails. The budget is high, but technicians want to avoid unnecessary links. Recommend star, full mesh or partial mesh and justify your choice.

Use: 'I recommend... because... This means... One drawback is...'. Link resilience and number of connections to this exact scenario.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer6 marks

Challenge: design the network for a new school computer room with 30 wired desktops, 10 tablets and an Internet connection. Recommend a topology and identify the required LAN hardware. Explain how the design meets the requirements.

Include device connections, local forwarding, wireless access and connection to another network. Explain one strength and one limitation of your topology.

Students type their answer here.

Final check

Without looking back, write the five LAN components and one precise task for each. Then sketch or describe a star and a mesh topology and add one benefit and drawback to each.

Check that you can:

  • distinguish a NIC, transmission medium, switch, WAP and router by their tasks
  • explain that a switch forwards data locally using MAC addresses rather than storing files or providing services like a server
  • distinguish star, full mesh and partial mesh
  • compare both benefits and drawbacks of star and mesh
  • apply hardware and topology knowledge to a network design