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It defines what a computer network is, distinguishes wired and wireless connections, and explains why networks are useful for sharing resources, collaboration, access to services, efficiency, and security management. Learners study common network protocols and what each is used for, including TCP, IP, HTTP/HTTPS, SMTP, and IMAP, and explore major network types such as PAN, LAN, and WAN.",{"@graph":69,"@context":122},[70,84,105],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":30,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/technology/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/teaching-guide-fundamentals-of-computer-networks-version-11/622895/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/teaching-guide-fundamentals-of-computer-networks-version-11/622895.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"jay","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-26","2026-10-20",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":14},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",{"@type":106,"mainEntity":107},"FAQPage",[108,114,118],{"name":109,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":111},"What is a computer network, and how do wired and wireless networks differ?","Question",{"text":112,"@type":113},"A computer network links two or more computers or devices to communicate and share resources. Wired networks use physical cabling such as copper or fibre-optic cables, while wireless networks use technologies such as Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi.","Answer",{"name":115,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":116},"Why are computer networks useful for users and organizations?",{"text":117,"@type":113},"Networks enable users to share resources like files, printers and internet access, collaborate in real time, access services such as streaming and online games, improve efficiency by avoiding duplication and updating software, and manage security through centralized login and security controls.",{"name":119,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":120},"What does TCP, IP, and common web/email protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, SMTP, IMAP) do?",{"text":121,"@type":113},"TCP supports reliable communication by splitting data into packets and ensuring correct delivery and ordering. IP handles routing and addressing by adding source and destination IP addresses to packets. HTTP retrieves and loads web pages, while HTTPS provides encrypted secure browsing using SSL/TLS. 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For example:  \n• the Hypertext Transfer protocol ([HTTP](HTTP)) is used for accessing websites  \n• SMTP is used for accessing email  \n• Wi-Fi is a set of standards based on the IEEE 802.11 protocols (knowledge of Wi-Fi is not required for this specification) .  \nLearners should be able to:  \n• define the term network protocol  \n• explain the purpose of common network protocols.  \nCommon network protocols  \nLearners should know what each protocol is used for. For the GCSE exam, the first bullet point in the following table is sufficient – subsequent bullet points provide more technical detail which may help learners to understand the purpose of common network protocols.  \n\n| Protocol | What the protocol is used for |\n| --- | --- |\n| TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) | • Whenever reliable communication over a network is needed, such as browsing websites, sending emailsand downloading files.\u003Cbr>• Splits data into packets and ensures they are delivered correctly and in the right order. |\n| IP (Internet Protocol) | • Handles packet routing and addressing across networks.\u003Cbr>• Adds source and destination IP addresses to data packets so they can be routed to the correct destination. |\n| [HTTP](HTTP) (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) | • Accesses and loads web pages: [HTTP](HTTP) is used to retrieve content from web servers so a browser can display web pages to users.\u003Cbr>• Data transmission is not secure.\u003Cbr>• A client sends an [HTTP](HTTP) request, the server responds with the requested data (such as HTML, references to resources like images and style sheets/CSS files) .\u003Cbr>• Transfers data to the server, like when submitting online forms. |\n| [HTTPS](HTTPS) (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) | • Provides an encrypted version of [HTTP for more](HTTP for more)[ ](HTTP for more)[secure web browsing and transactions.](secure web browsing and transactions.)\u003Cbr>• Uses encryption protocols such as SSL/TLS to protect data. |\n| SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) | • Sends outgoing emails from a client (like Outlook, Mail or Gmail) to a mail server.\u003Cbr>• Transfers emails between mail servers.\u003Cbr>• SMTP is only used for sending emails not for receiving or retrieving them. |\n| IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) | • Retrieves incoming email","cbCaibqgsGt61ct8","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaibqgsGt61ct8","pdf",304769,17,"English","# Computer networks\n## Types of computer network\n## Network cables\n## Wireless and wired networks\n## Network security\n## TCP/IP model","[{\"question\":\"What is a computer network, and how do wired and wireless networks differ?\",\"answer\":\"A computer network links two or more computers or devices to communicate and share resources. Wired networks use physical cabling such as copper or fibre-optic cables, while wireless networks use technologies such as Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi.\"},{\"question\":\"Why are computer networks useful for users and organizations?\",\"answer\":\"Networks enable users to share resources like files, printers and internet access, collaborate in real time, access services such as streaming and online games, improve efficiency by avoiding duplication and updating software, and manage security through centralized login and security controls.\"},{\"question\":\"What does TCP, IP, and common web/email protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, SMTP, IMAP) do?\",\"answer\":\"TCP supports reliable communication by splitting data into packets and ensuring correct delivery and ordering. IP handles routing and addressing by adding source and destination IP addresses to packets. HTTP retrieves and loads web pages, while HTTPS provides encrypted secure browsing using SSL/TLS. SMTP sends outgoing emails, and IMAP retrieves incoming emails from a mail server so they can be viewed and synced across devices.\"}]","Teaching guide - Fundamentals of computer networks - Version 1.1 | PDF",1792467271,43]