GCSERevise
AQASpec 3.5Foundation & Higher~35 min

Networks and Protocols

Computer Science · Topic revision workspace

Topic progress0%

Read the notes, score 80% and know 75% of the cards.

Topic overview

What you need to know

Networks share data and resources through hardware, addressing, protocols, topologies, layers, wired or wireless transmission and client-server or peer-to-peer models.

Exam tip

Name the protocol and its job. Do not say that every protocol simply 'sends data'.

Revision notes

Core ideas

Secure these ideas first. Say each definition in your own words, then connect it to the topic overview.

  • Protocol: An agreed set of rules for communication between devices.
  • IP address: A numerical address used to identify a device on an IP network.
  • MAC address: A hardware identifier associated with a network interface.

Revision notes

Apply it in the exam

The exam will rarely ask for an isolated definition. Practise selecting the right idea and using it as part of a complete explanation or method.

  • DNS: A system that translates domain names into IP addresses.
  • Router: A device that forwards packets between different networks.
  • Packet switching: Splitting data into addressed packets that may travel by different routes and are reassembled.

Core knowledge

Key facts for Networks and Protocols

1

Protocol

An agreed set of rules for communication between devices.

2

IP address

A numerical address used to identify a device on an IP network.

3

MAC address

A hardware identifier associated with a network interface.

4

DNS

A system that translates domain names into IP addresses.

5

Router

A device that forwards packets between different networks.

6

Packet switching

Splitting data into addressed packets that may travel by different routes and are reassembled.

Active recall

Close the notes and answer these

  1. 1.Without looking, explain protocol and give one example or consequence.
  2. 2.Without looking, explain ip address and give one example or consequence.
  3. 3.Without looking, explain mac address and give one example or consequence.
  4. 4.Without looking, explain dns and give one example or consequence.

Content reviewed 23 July 2026 against the current linked specification.

Finished learning?

Mark the notes complete, then test what you can recall.

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