Network Hardware, Service Models and Cloud Computing
The roles of common network devices, client-server and peer-to-peer organisation, and remote computing services.
How to study for GCSE Computer Science
Move repeatedly between problem, algorithm, trace, code, test evidence and system explanation; use the exact language and assessment format required by your current board.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Network interfaces, switches, routers and wireless access equipment perform different roles in connecting endpoints and forwarding data.
Exam cue: Name the device's decision or forwarding role at the point shown in the network.
Concept 2
Client-server systems centralise selected services, while peer-to-peer designs distribute roles among participating nodes.
Exam cue: Compare service models using management, resilience, cost, security and performance.
Concept 3
Cloud computing provides remotely hosted storage or processing as a service, trading local control for scalability, access and provider dependence.
Exam cue: Evaluate cloud use through connectivity, data governance, availability and exit risk.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Calling a switch and a router interchangeable.
Guardrail: Do not substitute one board's syntax, protocol list, language version or extension topic for the multi-board core; check the current specification and exam year.
Assuming client-server means every calculation occurs on one server.
Guardrail: Do not substitute one board's syntax, protocol list, language version or extension topic for the multi-board core; check the current specification and exam year.
Describing cloud data as having no physical storage location.
Guardrail: Do not substitute one board's syntax, protocol list, language version or extension topic for the multi-board core; check the current specification and exam year.
Memory anchors
Switch
A device forwarding frames among interfaces within a network.
Router
A device forwarding packets between networks.
Client-server
A model in which clients request services from designated servers.
Peer-to-peer
A model in which nodes may provide as well as consume resources.
Cloud computing
Remote computing resources provided as network-accessible services.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
What does a network interface controller do?
What does a switch do on a LAN?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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