1.3.3 Networks

AO1 P2P: • Each computer can act independently • Each computer is responsible for it’s own security and login • Each computer will maintain and possibly share its own connected hardware (printer/external storage/internet connection) • Each computer will maintain and possibly share its own secondary storage • If a computer is powered down it’s shared resources will not be available. • There are no resources not shared by a peer machine • Adding a machine is simple • Very little administration is needed Client Server: All network functionality can be provided by servers. • A server is a process running on a machine, usually dedicated to providing these services. • A server machine is designed to never be powered down. • Login/security is handled centrally • Shared storage may be managed by a server • Shared resources (printer/internet connection etc) my be managed by a server • If a server process or machine fails, network functionality, including the ability login is lost • Adding a new machine can mean installing specialist client software and setting up OS policies. • IT skills and a lot of time are needed to administer a client server networkAO2 P2P: • As Zak is looking to expand his staff, P2P would offer flexibility in adding staff ad hoc. • Zak’s company is still small and may struggle to pay for the IT administrator skills needed for a client server Client Server: • As Zak’s firm is an accountancy firm it will have sensitive customer data • Client server would allow stronger centralised security • As Zak is taking on multiple staff, they may wish to work collaboratively, which shared storage would allow. • Zak could share a single printer/other hardware with all staff and not worry about an individual computer being switched on. AO3: Candidates can conclude either method, but to score in the top MB must have a clear line of reasoning to justify their choice.

1 mark per bullet up to a maximum of 4 marks • DNS is used to resolve IP corresponding to URL • Request sent to DNS resolver. • Resolver checks its cache and if it doesn’t hold the URL, it passes it in to the TLD Name server which checks its cache and returns the answer or passes on to the.. • Authoritative Name Server. • The IP address is returned back up to the requesting client. • Or an error if no resolution can be found

Knowledge • As firm is on multiple sites it will need to be connected via a WAN • Each office would have its own LAN • Use of Client/Server network which will allow o Centralised security o Centralised back up o Shared resources such as file/print/internet are not tied to a peer computer o Extra hardware for client/server would incur extra expense • VPN would allow secure access to server in one site from another • Cloud computing would allow remote storage of data o Would allow sharing of data between sites and client locations o Provide extendable storage o Built in back up o Strong security, but out of firms control • Network would allow data and resources such as printers to be shared o Sharing resources would allow solicitors easier access to client files o Even with strong security, networks bring vulnerability to sensitive data being held Application • As a solicitor’s firm will deal with sensitive data security concerns would be paramount to clients who have data stored with them o Use of VPN may be necessary to provide secure links between offices o Data would need to be encrypted o Clients may be unhappy with external services such as cloud H046/01 Mark Scheme November2020 There is a line of reasoning presented with some structure. The information presented is in the most part relevant and supported by some evidence. Mark Band 1-Low Level (1-3 marks) The candidate demonstrates a basic knowledge of networking methods and cost and security implications and may be able to recall the attributes of one or more with limited understanding shown; the material is basic and contains some inaccuracies. The candidate makes a limited attempt to apply acquired knowledge and understanding to the context provided. The candidate has some explanation of the benefits or drawbacks to the business although the accuracy may be limited and their conclusions not clear The information is basic and communicated in an unstructured way. The information is supported by limited evidence and the relationship to the evidence may not be clear. 0 marks No attempt to answer the question or response is not worthy of credit. o Strong security measures would bring extra cost, which could push fee’s up • Client server set up would require extra equipment o Switches/routers/gateways/servers/NIC/cabling/ WAP o Extra costs may push fee’s up • A network would give solicitors quicker/immediate access to client files o Allows solicitor to quickly switch between clients o Allow solicitors to collaborate and help colleagues o Allows clients to be seen by solicitors at either office and they would sill have access to their case files o Allows solicitors to research old cases from either office Evaluation The candidate could come to either a conclusion of the network being an overall drawback or benefit. However, their reasoning must clearly lead to that conclusion with clear justification.