ICT 4

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ICT 4

• October 2006

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4.1 Networks

• 3. (a) Other than cost or security issues,
  explain in detail two factors that could
  influence the choice of a computer network for a
  company. 2
• (b) Two types of network that could be used are
  peer to peer and client server. Compare and
  contrast these two types of network. 4

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Extra Questions

• Identify four decisions that will have to be
  taken into account when setting up a network from
  scratch.
• Explain the difference between a client-server
  and a peer-to-peer network strategy, stating the
  advantages of one system over the other.
• Explain the difference between a Star and a Bus
  network.
• Identify four functions that a network
  administrator would be expected to undertake
• Describe some of the security issues that effect
  networks and the protective measures that can be
  implemented by a network administrator.

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• Some organisations have moved to a wireless
  network communication system. Identify two
  advantages and two disadvantages of this
  approach.
• The use of mobile wireless devices is on the
  increase. What are some of the issues associated
  with the introduction of such devices?

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4.2 Internet

• 2. A pet shop wishes to offer customers an
  interactive on-line shopping service.
• (a) Other than hardware, discuss in suitable
  detail, four requirements needed to implement
  such an interactive on-line shopping service.
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• (b) (i) Give two advantages to the customer of
  on-line shopping. 2
• (ii) Give two advantages to the business of
  on-line shopping. 2
• (iii) Describe two possible problems when
  shopping on-line. 2
• 4. Other than crime, discuss in detail four of
  the major moral, social or ethical issues
  associated with the Internet. Use distinctly
  different examples in each case. 2

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Extra Questions

• The Internet has had a revolutionary impact in
  many areas of human life. Describe four ways in
  which the Internet has affected the people live
  and work.
• Outline the arguments surrounding the issue of
  censorship as it applies to the Internet.
• Explain what is meant by the following terms
  URL, Web crawlers, Boolean searches, Hyperlinks.
• Identify three ways in which business has been
  able to utilise the facilities offered by the
  Internet.

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4.3 HCI

• 1. The Human Computer Interface is an important
  part of an ICT system. Name four factors which
  must be taken into account when designing a good
  user interface. Explain why each factor is
  important. 2

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Extra Questions

• What is meant by a Graphical User Interface and
  what are the resource implications of employing
  one in an application?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of a
  speech recognition system over other methods of
  data input?
• Identify four ways in which a user might
  customise the user interface of an application.

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4.4 Working with ICT

• 5. The IT section in a college has decided to
  introduce a code of conduct for all its IT users.
• Discuss three problems which might have prompted
  this decision and suggest suitable guidelines
  which could be included in the code of conduct,
  to avoid such problems in the future. 3 2
• (c) The use of video conferencing has now become
  important in the Health Service. With reference
  to appropriate examples, discuss two uses of
  video conferencing in the Health Service. 4

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Extra questions

• What is the function of an employee code of
  conduct?
• Not all types of employment are suitable for
  teleworking. Describe some of the conditions
  that are necessary for this method of working.
• Explain what is involved in videoconferencing and
  what resources an organisation needs to
  facilitate it.
• Describe two moral/ethical problems that an ICT
  professional might face.

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4.5 ICT Security Policies

• 6. Most organisations now have ICT security
  policies.
• (a) Discuss in detail the potential threats to
  data and the possible consequences of accidental
  or deliberate destruction of data. Illustrate
  your answer with distinctly different examples in
  each case. 10
• (b) Discuss four methods which could be used to
  prevent the deliberate destruction or misuse of
  data. 4 2

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Extra Questions

• Describe one threat to the security of ICT
  systems that might come from within an
  organisation and one that might come from outside
  it.
• Describe four different aspects of security you
  would expect to find in a corporate information
  security system.
• Describe in detail three factors that should be
  taken into account when an organisation is
  developing a back-up policy.

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4.6 Database Systems

• 7. (a) A hospital uses a relational database
  management system for storing patient records.
  Staff and patients are allocated to wards.
• (i) Explain what is meant by a relational
  database. 2
• (ii) One table in this database could be
• WARD (WardId, NumofBeds, StaffId )
• with WardId being the primary key and StaffId
  the foreign key.
• Give two other suitable tables you could expect
  to see in this database, identifying any primary
  or foreign keys. 6
• (iii) Explain why relational databases are more
  secure than a flat file approach for storing
  patient records. 2
• (b) Hospitals use distributed medical databases.
  Describe the problems that could arise when using
  such distributed medical databases. 4