Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
(a) Explain the purpose of ROM in a computer system and state what it typically contains.
(b) State two examples of embedded systems.
1.
2.
(a) Define the terms sample rate and bit depth in relation to digital sound.
Sample rate:
Bit depth:
(b) A sound file has a sample rate of 40,000 Hertz, a bit depth of 16 bits, and a duration of 10 seconds.
Calculate the size of the sound file in Kilobytes (KB). Show your working.
Answer: KB
(a) Compare the ASCII and Unicode character sets.
(b) (i) Describe the effect of performing a 2-place left binary shift on a binary number.
(b) (ii) Perform a 1-place right binary shift on the binary number 01101100.
A software company distributes its legacy software using CD-ROMs.
Justify the use of optical storage for this purpose.
Explain how a defragmentation utility works and how it improves the performance of a magnetic hard disk.
(a) Describe two benefits of using a mesh network topology.
Benefit 1:
Benefit 2:
(b) Compare fibre optic cables and copper Ethernet cables for data transmission.
Context: A Secondary School Network Upgrade
(a) Explain how a Denial of Service (DoS) attack could disrupt the school network.
(b) Explain how a brute-force attack works.
(a) Explain how user access levels help secure the school network.
(b) Explain the purpose of encryption on the school network.
(a) Identify two principles of the Data Protection Act 2018 that the school must follow when storing student data.
Principle 1:
Principle 2:
(b) Explain how the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 protects the school's educational resources.
The school computers use an operating system.
(a) Explain what is meant by multitasking.
(b) Explain the memory management function of an operating system.
(a) The school website is stored by a web hosting company.
Describe the role of web hosting.
(b) Explain the roles of the client and the server in the client-server model.
The school is considering implementing Biometric Facial Recognition software for student attendance and lunch payments.
Discuss the impacts of the school implementing Biometric Facial Recognition.
Your answer should consider: