Information and Communication Technology 0417 | Paper 1 Mock 01 | Theory

(a) Two advantages of using email for communicating across different time zones:

• Emails can be composed and sent at any time, and the recipient can read and respond when it is convenient in their own time zone. There is no need for both parties to be available simultaneously. [1]
• A written record of all communications is automatically kept in the email system, making it easy to refer back to previous discussions, decisions and instructions without relying on memory. [1]

(b) Two limitations of using email for team collaboration:

• Email is not suitable for real-time discussions, as there can be significant delays between sending a message and receiving a reply. Quick decisions that require immediate back-and-forth are slowed down. [1]
• Long email chains with many replies and forwarded messages can become confusing and difficult to follow. Important information can easily be buried in the thread, and different team members may be responding to different versions of the discussion. [1]

(c) Two alternative methods of online communication the team could use alongside email:

• Video conferencing (such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams) for real-time face-to-face meetings, allowing participants to see each other and share screens. [1]
• Instant messaging (such as Slack or Microsoft Teams chat) for quick, informal real-time text communication that is faster and more fluid than email for short exchanges. [1]

(a) Two types of data that would need to be migrated:

1. Records of previously reported problems, including their current status and resolution details, so that outstanding issues are not lost and residents can still track progress on existing reports. [1]
2. Resident contact information and account details, so that users can log in to the new system without re-registering and the council can continue communicating with them. [1]

(b) Data validation should be carried out on the migrated data because:

• Data may have been stored in different formats in the old system (for example, dates or postcodes in varying formats) and needs to be checked to ensure it meets the requirements and field structures of the new system. [1]
• Errors or inconsistencies in the old data (such as missing fields, duplicate entries or outdated information) need to be identified and corrected before transfer to prevent them from causing problems in the new system. [1]

(c)

• Advantage: the changeover is quick and the cost is low, as only one system needs to be maintained from the switch date, with no duplication of effort or resources. [1]
• Disadvantage: if the new system has problems, residents will be unable to report issues until the problems are fixed, and there is no old system to fall back on, potentially leaving urgent reports (such as dangerous potholes) unrecorded. [1]

(a) The ADC (analogue-to-digital converter) converts the analogue signal produced by the temperature sensor [1] into a digital value that the microprocessor can process. [1] Temperature is a continuous physical quantity, and the sensor produces an analogue electrical signal. Since the microprocessor can only work with digital data (binary numbers), the ADC performs this essential conversion.

(b) Feedback is used so the system can continuously monitor the actual temperature of the room. [1] By feeding the current temperature reading back to the microprocessor, the system can compare it against the desired temperature and automatically adjust the heater or fan output to maintain the correct temperature without human intervention. [1] Without feedback, the system would have no way of knowing whether its actions were having the intended effect.

(c) The heater/fan shown in the diagram is an actuator. [1] Its role is to physically change the environment by heating the air (when the temperature is too low) or cooling it with the fan (when the temperature is too high), in direct response to control signals from the microprocessor. [1]

(a) Sequence of events when a car approaches the barrier:

1. A sensor (such as a pressure pad or proximity sensor) detects the approaching car and sends a signal to the processor. [1]
2. The processor checks the system's data to determine whether parking spaces are available in the car park. [1]
3. If spaces are available, the processor sends a signal to the barrier motor (actuator) to raise the barrier, allowing the car to enter. [1]
4. A ticket is issued to the driver, and the display is updated to show the revised number of available spaces (decremented by one). [1]

(b) Two sensors that could be used in this system:

1. Pressure sensor, embedded in the road surface at the barrier approach, which detects the weight of a car driving over it. [1]
2. Infrared or proximity sensor, which detects the presence of a car approaching the barrier by sensing the break in an infrared beam or the proximity of a large object. [1]

(a) Two advantages of an interactive whiteboard over a traditional whiteboard:

1. Lessons and annotations can be saved electronically and shared with students. [1] This means students who missed the lesson, or those who want to revise, can access the exact content that was covered. [1]
2. Teachers can display multimedia content such as videos, animations and interactive simulations. [1] This makes lessons more engaging and helps explain concepts that are difficult to convey with static text and diagrams alone. [1]

(b) Two input devices used with an interactive whiteboard:

1. A stylus or digital pen, used to write, draw and interact with the on-screen content. [1]
2. Finger touch, as many interactive whiteboards have touch-sensitive surfaces that detect direct finger contact. [1]

(a) Two methods for investigating requirements during analysis:

1. Questionnaires: distributing structured written questions to library staff and students. [1] This method is efficient for gathering opinions and requirements from a large number of users quickly, though it does not allow for follow-up questions. [1]
2. Examining existing documentation: reviewing current manual record-keeping forms, loan registers and procedures used in the library. [1] This reveals the data currently collected and the processes followed, helping to ensure nothing is overlooked when designing the new system. [1]

(b) Two examples of documentation that should be produced:

1. A user guide that explains how to use the system in non-technical language, including step-by-step instructions for common tasks such as issuing and returning books. [1]
2. Technical documentation that provides details of the system design, database structure and code, intended for programmers who may need to maintain or update the system in the future. [1]

(a) The role of the hardware firewall in this network:

• The hardware firewall filters all incoming and outgoing traffic between the internet and the internal network. [1]
• It blocks unauthorised access attempts and potentially harmful data packets before they reach the server or PCs, acting as a barrier between the external internet and the internal network. [1]

(b) Why the server should also have software security installed:

• The hardware firewall may not detect all threats, such as malware hidden in encrypted traffic or threats originating from within the internal network itself. [1]
• Software security such as anti-virus software and a software firewall on the server provides a second layer of protection specifically for the stored data on that machine. [1]

(c) Two additional security measures for PC 1 and PC 2:

• Install anti-virus software on each PC to detect and remove malware that may have bypassed the firewall. [1]
• Require user authentication with strong passwords before allowing access to the network, ensuring only authorised users can log in. [1]

(a) For office-based designers, a desktop computer is most suitable. [1]

1. Desktops can be fitted with large, high-resolution monitors (or multiple monitors) which are essential for viewing fine details in graphic design work and working with accurate colours. [1]
2. Desktops can be equipped with powerful processors, large amounts of RAM and dedicated graphics cards needed for running demanding design software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. [1]

(b) For designers who visit clients, a laptop is most suitable. [1]

1. Laptops are portable and lightweight enough to be carried to client meetings, allowing designers to present work and make changes on the spot. [1]
2. Modern high-specification laptops are powerful enough to run professional graphic design software, so the designer can demonstrate and edit work directly at the client's premises. [1]

(a) The design stage takes the requirements gathered during analysis and uses them to plan how the new system will work. [1] It produces detailed specifications covering the system's inputs, outputs, processes and data structures, providing a blueprint for the development stage before any coding begins. [1]

(b) Three items typically designed during this stage:

1. The user interface layout, including screen designs, menus and forms that the user will interact with. [1]
2. The data structures and database design, including the tables, fields, data types and relationships between tables. [1]
3. The algorithms and processing logic that the system will use to transform inputs into the required outputs. [1]

(a) Two types of monitor used with computers:

• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor [1]
• LED (Light Emitting Diode) monitor [1]

(b) Two advantages of using an LED monitor compared to an older CRT monitor:

• LED monitors are much thinner and lighter than CRT monitors, taking up significantly less desk space and being easier to mount on walls. [1]
• LED monitors consume significantly less electrical power than CRT monitors, reducing energy costs and heat output. [1]

(c) Two factors a user should consider when choosing a monitor:

• The screen resolution, which determines the clarity and detail of the image displayed. Higher resolution means more pixels and sharper images. [1]
• The screen size, which should be appropriate for the user's tasks (such as graphic design needing a larger screen) and the available desk space. [1]

(a) The importance of fire safety equipment in a computer room:

• Computer equipment can overheat or develop electrical faults that could start a fire, making the risk of fire higher than in a room without electronics. [1]
• Fire safety equipment is essential to detect fires early and allow them to be extinguished quickly before they cause serious damage to equipment or injury to people. [1]

(b) Two types of fire safety equipment and their importance:

• A smoke detector alerts occupants to a fire by sounding an alarm as soon as smoke is detected, giving people time to evacuate the room safely. [1]
• A CO2 or dry powder fire extinguisher can be used to put out electrical fires safely without causing further damage to the equipment, unlike water which would be dangerous. [1]

(c) Why a water-based fire extinguisher should not be used with electrical equipment:

• Water conducts electricity, so using a water extinguisher on an electrical fire could electrocute the person using the extinguisher. [1]
• The water could also cause a short circuit in other connected equipment, potentially spreading the damage or starting additional fires elsewhere in the room. [1]

(a) Two methods of data transmission shown in the diagram:

• Serial transmission sends data one bit at a time along a single channel. The bits travel sequentially one after another. This method is used for long-distance communication because it is simpler and cheaper to implement over long cables. [1]
• Parallel transmission sends multiple bits simultaneously along multiple channels (for example, 8 bits at once using 8 separate wires). This is faster but is used for short-distance communication within a device, because over longer distances the signals on different wires can arrive at slightly different times, causing errors. [1]

(b) Advantages of fibre optic cable compared to copper cable:

• Fibre optic cables transmit data using light signals at much higher speeds than the electrical signals used in copper cables, supporting greater bandwidth. [1]
• Fibre optic cables are not affected by electromagnetic interference and can carry data over longer distances without signal degradation, making them more reliable. [1]

(c) Two reasons a business might choose a client-server network over peer-to-peer:

• A client-server network has centralised file storage and management on a dedicated server, making it easier to perform backups and enforce security policies across the entire network. [1]
• User access rights and permissions can be managed centrally by the network administrator, ensuring consistent security rather than relying on each individual user to manage their own machine. [1]

(a) The smart hub acts as the central controller that connects to and communicates with all the smart devices in the home. [1] It allows the user to control every device from a single app or interface, and enables the devices to interact with each other automatically (for example, turning lights off when the security system is armed). [1]

(b) One advantage of a smart thermostat connected to the internet is that the homeowner can control the heating remotely via a smartphone app, for example turning the heating on before arriving home from work. [1] Additionally, the thermostat can learn the household's usage patterns and automatically adjust the temperature to save energy and reduce bills. [1]

(c) Two security risks:

• If hackers gain access to the smart lock, they could unlock the door remotely, allowing physical entry to the home. [1]
• Security camera footage could be intercepted by an attacker, allowing criminals to monitor the family's movements and identify when the house is empty. [1]

(a) The diagram shows a client-server network model. This is identified by the presence of dedicated servers (file server and print server) that provide services to client computers, all connected through a central switch. [1]

(b) Three advantages of using this network model in an office:

1. Centralised data storage on the file server makes it easier to back up all shared files from a single location. [1]
2. Security can be managed centrally, with user accounts and access permissions configured on the server to control who can access what. [1]
3. Resources such as printers can be shared efficiently across all client computers through the print server, avoiding the need for individual printers at each workstation. [1]

(c) Two tasks the file server performs:

1. It stores and manages shared files for all users on the network, providing a central location for documents. [1]
2. It controls access to files by checking user permissions before allowing read or write operations, ensuring only authorised users can view or modify data. [1]

(d) A dedicated print server manages all print jobs sent from client computers, queuing and prioritising them. [1] This frees the file server from handling printing tasks, which improves overall network performance by allowing each server to focus on its specialist role. [1]

(e) The company could set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which creates an encrypted connection over the public internet. [1] This allows employees working from home to securely log in to the office network and access files on the server as if they were physically in the office, while keeping data protected from interception. [1]