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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: 5 explanation cells, 2 multiple-choice questions, 2 fill-in-the-blanks cells and 6 written answers. 40 marks, about 75 minutes.

Series: J277 1.3 · Networks, part 1 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 1: network types and computer roles

This worksheet introduces two ways of classifying networks. LAN and WAN describe the area and infrastructure of a network. Client-server and peer-to-peer describe the roles computers perform.

By the end, you should be able to:

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

Use precise reasons. The number of computers alone does not decide whether a network is a LAN, WAN, client-server or peer-to-peer.

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

1. LANs and WANs

A computer network is two or more computer systems or devices connected so that they can communicate and share resources such as files, printers or services.

A Local Area Network (LAN) connects devices across a small geographical area, such as one home, school site or office. The person or organisation using the LAN usually owns and manages its network hardware.

A Wide Area Network (WAN) connects networks or devices across a large geographical area, such as company offices in different cities or countries. It commonly uses communication infrastructure supplied by a third party, such as a telecommunications company or Internet service provider.

A large school network on one site can still be a LAN. A company with only two computers could use a WAN if those computers are in distant offices connected through third-party infrastructure.

Fill in the blanks6 marks
A label 1 normally covers a label 2 and its hardware is usually managed by the user or label 3. A label 4 can cover a label 5 and commonly uses infrastructure supplied by a label 6.
  • peer-to-peer
  • web server
  • LAN
  • organisation
  • large geographical area
  • WAN
  • third party
  • small geographical area
Multiple choice1 mark

A charity connects offices in Bristol, Glasgow and Belfast using services rented from a telecommunications company. Which type of network is described?

  • AWAN
  • BLAN
  • CPeer-to-peer network
  • DStar topology
Written answer4 marks

Compare a school LAN with a WAN linking a company's offices in different countries. Give two developed differences.

Compare like with like. You could begin: 'A LAN..., whereas a WAN...'. Discuss geographical area, ownership or management of hardware, or third-party infrastructure.

Students type their answer here.

2. Client-server and peer-to-peer roles

In a client-server network, a server provides a service and clients request or use it. A server might store files, host web pages, manage user accounts, provide printing or run shared software.

Central control can make user management, security, backups and updates more consistent. However, servers cost money, need administration, and a failed server can make its service unavailable.

In a peer-to-peer network, computers share resources directly. Each peer can request a resource and can also provide one. A small group can share files or a printer without a dedicated server, which can be simple and inexpensive.

As a peer-to-peer network grows, consistent backups, access control and management become harder. A shared resource may be unavailable when the peer providing it is switched off.

The labels describe roles. A client is the computer requesting a service at that moment.

These are two independent questions. A school LAN, for example, can use either client-server or peer-to-peer roles.

Two independent ways to classify a network The first axis classifies a network as LAN or WAN using geographical area and infrastructure. The second classifies roles as client-server or peer-to-peer using how resources and responsibilities are organised. Ask two separate classification questions 1. What area and infrastructure does it cover? LAN: small local area or WAN: large geographical area 2. How are resources and responsibilities organised? Client-server: central server or Peer-to-peer: peers share directly Device count alone does not define LAN or WAN.
Fill in the blanks5 marks
In a client-server network, a label 1 label 2 a service and a label 3 label 4 it. In a peer-to-peer network, each label 5 can perform both roles.
  • server
  • client
  • requests
  • central management
  • peer
  • provides
Multiple choice, several answers2 marks

A school wants centrally managed accounts and automatic backups of student files. Which features support choosing a client-server network? Select all that apply.

  • ANo computer needs to provide a service
  • BUser accounts and permissions can be managed centrally
  • CThe network never needs administration
  • DFiles can be backed up centrally
  • EEvery student computer stores the only copy of its shared files
Written answer6 marks

Compare a client-server network with a peer-to-peer network for a small design company. Include the roles of the computers and one advantage and one disadvantage of each approach.

Describe who requests and provides resources, then compare management, cost, backups, security or availability. A useful structure is: 'Client-server would..., whereas peer-to-peer would...'.

Students type their answer here.

3. Making a recommendation

For a choose-and-justify question:

  1. State your choice first.
  2. Link each reason to the needs in the scenario.
  3. Include a drawback or limitation when the marks allow it.

For example: Choose client-server because staff accounts and access rights can be managed centrally. However, the company must pay for server hardware and administration.

Written answer4 marks

Four photographers work from one studio. They occasionally share files and one printer. Their budget is very limited and they can manage their own backups. Recommend client-server or peer-to-peer. Justify the choice with two applied reasons and identify one limitation.

Use: 'I recommend... because... This means... One limitation is...'. Apply the size of the group, need for central control, cost and resource availability.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer4 marks

A secondary school has 900 computers on one site. Students sign in to accounts managed by a central server. Classify the network by geographical type and by computer roles, then justify both classifications.

Give two classifications. Do not let the large number of computers distract you from the area covered.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer2 marks

Correct both errors in this statement: 'A WAN is any network with many computers. In a client-server network, the client provides resources to the server.'

Write one precise correction about how LANs and WANs are classified, then one about the roles of a client and server.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer6 marks

Challenge: a student claims, ‘A LAN must be peer-to-peer and a WAN must be client-server.’ Evaluate the claim.

Separate geographical classification from computer roles. Use at least two contrasting examples before reaching a judgement.

Students type their answer here.

Final check

Without looking back, write one accurate characteristic and one example for a LAN and a WAN. Then explain the roles of a client, server and peer in one sentence each.

Check that your answers show:

  • area and infrastructure distinguish LANs from WANs
  • clients request services and servers provide them
  • peers can both request and provide resources directly
  • network type and computer roles are separate classifications
  • a strong recommendation states a choice and applies reasons to the scenario