Community resourceWorksheet

J277 1.3 Networks consolidation

Part 7 of 7 · J277 1.3 · Networks

The end-of-topic checkpoint for section 1.3, built around one school network scenario.

Students will:

  • select the right network idea for an unfamiliar scenario
  • apply hardware, topology and performance knowledge to a school network
  • explain addressing, standards, protocols and layers without support
  • evaluate cloud services for a stated organisation
  • write a developed answer under exam conditions

Inside: 3 explanation cells, 2 multiple-choice questions, 1 fill-in-the-blanks cell and 8 written answers. 65 marks, about 75 minutes.

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

Shared by Coding PathwayVerified teacher

  • 14 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 7: consolidation and application

This worksheet brings together OCR J277 section 1.3. It is designed to reveal whether you can select the right network idea and apply it, rather than repeat isolated definitions.

You will practise:

  • network types and computer roles
  • LAN hardware and topologies
  • performance, wired and wireless connections, and encryption
  • the Internet, DNS, hosting and cloud services
  • IP and MAC addressing
  • standards, protocols and layers

Use the early questions to identify gaps. In every scenario response, name the precise technology, explain how it works and link the result to the stated user.

Use the early tasks to identify gaps, then complete the application and final challenge independently.

Multiple choice, several answers5 marks

Which five statements are accurate? Select all that apply.

  • AA LAN is usually owned or managed by the person or organisation using it
  • BA switch provides every file and account service to clients
  • CA router forwards packets between networks using IP addresses
  • DA wireless access point allows wireless devices to join a LAN
  • EBandwidth is the number of computers connected to a network
  • FA client requests or uses a service provided by a server
  • GDNS sends the requested web page back to the browser
  • HA switch can use MAC addresses to forward frames on a local network
Fill in the blanks5 marks
The maximum data-transfer capacity of a connection is its label 1. A label 2 forwards frames within a LAN, while a label 3 forwards packets between networks. label 4 resolves a domain name to an IP address, and label 5 is used when web data needs secure transfer.
  • DNS
  • latency
  • HTTPS
  • MAC address
  • bandwidth
  • SMTP
  • router
  • switch

Integrated school scenario

A school is opening a media centre on one site. It will contain:

  • 24 fixed desktop computers
  • 12 tablets used while moving around the room
  • a shared printer and centrally managed student accounts
  • an Internet connection
  • cloud storage for collaborative projects
  • regular video streaming during lessons

The following questions all use this scenario. Apply each answer to the information given.

Written answer4 marks

Classify the media-centre network by geographical type and by computer roles. Justify both classifications.

Use two separate classifications. Area and infrastructure decide LAN or WAN; the way services are requested and provided decides client-server or peer-to-peer.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer8 marks

On paper or in the response box, draw or clearly describe a star topology for the media centre. Label a central switch, two example desktops, the shared printer, a wireless access point and a router. Explain what happens if one desktop cable fails, what happens if the central switch fails, and one relevant difference from a mesh topology.

Every local device should connect to the central switch. The WAP links wireless devices to the LAN, and the router connects the LAN to another network. Do not add an unnecessary server as the central topology device. For the comparison, consider alternative routes, cabling or cost.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer8 marks

Recommend suitable connections for the fixed desktops and tablets. Then explain two factors that could reduce network performance during a busy streaming lesson.

Make one recommendation for each device type. For each performance factor, give a cause, network effect and consequence for the users.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer6 marks

A student enters the cloud service's domain name and opens a project file. Explain how DNS, the Internet, a client, a hosted server and cloud storage are involved. Include one drawback of relying on the cloud.

Write the events in order: name resolution, request, travel across networks and remote service. Finish with an applied drawback.

Students type their answer here.

Multiple choice, several answers6 marks

Which six statements are accurate? Select all that apply.

  • A192.168.4.300 could be a valid IPv4 address
  • B172.16.4.205 could be a valid IPv4 address
  • C2001:0DB8:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0042 is a valid full-form IPv6 address
  • DHTTP guarantees that all web data is encrypted
  • EA4-7B-9C-21-0D-F2 has a valid MAC-address format
  • FSMTP is used to send email
  • GBluetooth can provide a short-range connection to a nearby wireless headset
  • HEncryption can make intercepted ciphertext meaningless without the correct key
Written answer3 marks

Write one valid IPv4 address, one valid full-form IPv6 address and one valid MAC address.

Use four denary sections for IPv4, eight four-digit hexadecimal groups for full-form IPv6, and six hexadecimal pairs for MAC.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer6 marks

Select a suitable protocol for each task: supporting communication across interconnected networks, opening an ordinary web page, signing in securely, uploading a large file, sending an email, and keeping received email synchronised across several devices.

Choose from TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, POP and IMAP. Use one protocol per task and distinguish sending from accessing received email.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer6 marks

Explain how communication protocols, standards and layers help equipment from different manufacturers communicate successfully.

Define each idea before giving its benefit. OCR does not require the names and functions of individual TCP/IP layers.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer8 marks

Challenge: the school reports slow streaming, unreliable tablet connections and concern about intercepted project data. Evaluate a three-part improvement plan covering performance, connection design and security.

Recommend changes, explain how they work and apply every reason to the school. Include at least one limitation or drawback.

Students type their answer here.

Final Networks check

Without looking back, check that you can:

  • classify LAN/WAN separately from client-server/peer-to-peer
  • distinguish NIC, media, switch, WAP and router
  • construct and label a star topology and compare it with mesh
  • develop performance explanations using cause and effect
  • recommend Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in context
  • explain encryption without claiming that it stops interception
  • reconstruct DNS resolution and distinguish the Internet from the Web
  • evaluate cloud provision
  • produce valid IPv4, IPv6 and MAC formats
  • select TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, POP and IMAP
  • explain the principles of standards and layers

Return to any statement that you can name but cannot yet explain.