IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417 · Topic 4

Networks and the effects of using them: past paper questions

88 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Explain, Describe, Identify, State, Compare

Real questions on networks and the effects of using them

The newest 20 of 88 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0417/12 · October/November 2025 · Q10b[4]
The music teacher wants to use Bluetooth headphones on the computers in her music classes. Explain how the network manager could set up the Bluetooth headphones.
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0417/13 · October/November 2025 · Q4c[4]
The student is planning to purchase a laptop computer which uses zero login authentication. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using zero login authentication.
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0417/11 · May/June 2025 · Q9a[3]
Explain the purpose of a hub.
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0417/11 · May/June 2025 · Q9b[1]
Describe one drawback of using a hub on a local area network (LAN).
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0417/12 · May/June 2025 · Q9a[3]
Explain the purpose of a network switch.
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0417/12 · May/June 2025 · Q9b[4]
A smart TV can connect to a network using wi-fi. Describe how the smart TV can be connected to the wi-fi.
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0417/12 · May/June 2025 · Q9c[1]
State the type of network that the smart TV would connect to.
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0417/12 · May/June 2025 · Q11b[3]
Describe how the student could use the cloud to transfer the project.
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0417/12 · May/June 2025 · Q12[3]
State the processing involved in withdrawing cash from an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) after a customer has inserted his card into the machine.
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0417/12 · February/March 2025 · Q5a[6]
Discuss, apart from the protection of personal data, the benefits and drawbacks of gaming on the cloud.
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0417/12 · February/March 2025 · Q6[6]
Some friends are planning to explore a remote area of India. They need to stay in contact with their families and can either use a smartphone or a satellite phone. Evaluate the use of a satellite phone rather than a smartphone in this scenario.
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0417/12 · February/March 2025 · Q9a[4]
Explain the purpose of a Network Interface Card (NIC).
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0417/12 · February/March 2025 · Q9b[4]
A user wishes to connect a set of Bluetooth headphones to a computer. Describe how the headphones can be connected to the computer by Bluetooth.
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0417/11 · October/November 2024 · Q7a[2]
Identify two other functions of a router.
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0417/11 · October/November 2024 · Q7b[4]
Explain how a router routes data packets to a destination.
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0417/12 · October/November 2024 · Q9a[2]
Identify the other two operations of a router.
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0417/12 · October/November 2024 · Q9b[4]
Explain how a router connects devices to the internet.
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0417/13 · October/November 2024 · Q4a(i)[4]
Switch
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0417/13 · October/November 2024 · Q4a(ii)[4]
Router
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0417/13 · October/November 2024 · Q4b[1]
Bridges are communication devices. Explain what bridges are used for.
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What examiners said

This part of the question was very challenging with many of the marks coming from general answers relating to connecting devices together rather than the operation of a hub. Some of the answers given could have been used for part (b). In this session the Examiners were lenient and allowed these answers, but this may not happen in future series.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0417/11 Q9(a) (Cambridge)

As with part (a) this question was very challenging. As the question was linked to part (a) candidates that struggled to answer part (a) had issues with this question.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0417/11 Q9(b) (Cambridge)

Many candidates gained at least a mark in the question. Some candidates understood that a switch helped form a network and that data from the switch could be sent to a specific device. Some candidates that understood the concept wrote that the switch helped form a network rather than a LAN; network on its own was in the question. Some candidates thought that the network switch turned the network o...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0417/12 Q9(a) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise networks and the effects of using them

In the syllabus

1 0417.4.1.01 — The operation and purpose of a router including: • connecting networks and devices to the internet • storing computer addresses in a router

The operation and purpose of a router including: • connecting networks and devices to the internet • storing computer addresses in a router • routing data packets
Including: network interface cards (NIC), hubs, bridges, switches
The uses of wi-fi and Bluetooth Connecting a device to a network using: • wi-fi • Bluetooth
Similarities and differences between Bluetooth and wi-fi
The characteristics, uses and issues relating to cloud computing How data is stored, managed and shared using cloud computing
Advantages and disadvantages of using cloud storage compared to other methods
Characteristics, uses and purpose of an extranet, intranet and the internet The differences and similarities between an extranet, intranet and the internet
Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and the differences between these networks

2 0417.4.1.02 — Including: network interface cards (NIC), hubs, bridges, switches

Including: network interface cards (NIC), hubs, bridges, switches

3 0417.4.1.03 — The uses of wi-fi and Bluetooth Connecting a device to a network using: • wi-fi • Bluetooth

The uses of wi-fi and Bluetooth Connecting a device to a network using: • wi-fi • Bluetooth

4 0417.4.1.04 — Similarities and differences between Bluetooth and wi-fi

Similarities and differences between Bluetooth and wi-fi

5 0417.4.1.05 — The characteristics, uses and issues relating to cloud computing How data is stored, managed and shared using cloud computing

The characteristics, uses and issues relating to cloud computing How data is stored, managed and shared using cloud computing

6 0417.4.1.06 — Advantages and disadvantages of using cloud storage compared to other methods

Advantages and disadvantages of using cloud storage compared to other methods

7 0417.4.1.07 — Characteristics, uses and purpose of an extranet, intranet and the internet The differences and similarities between an extranet, intranet a

Characteristics, uses and purpose of an extranet, intranet and the internet The differences and similarities between an extranet, intranet and the internet

8 0417.4.1.08 — Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and the differences between these networks

Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and the differences between these networks

9 0417.4.2.01 — Privacy and confidentiality of data transfer

Privacy and confidentiality of data transfer
Avoiding password interception by using up to date anti-spyware and regularly changing passwords The differences between strong and weak passwords
Including: zero login, biometric methods, magnetic stripes, smart cards, physical tokens, electronic tokens
Including the use of anti-malware and anti-virus software The operation of removing/quarantining viruses using up to date software Scanning the storage media used to transfer data Scanning the data/software when downloading
Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of video-conferencing, audio‑conferencing, web-conferencing The hardware, software and network connection required to set up each type of electronic conference

10 0417.4.2.02 — Avoiding password interception by using up to date anti-spyware and regularly changing passwords The differences between strong and weak pas

Avoiding password interception by using up to date anti-spyware and regularly changing passwords The differences between strong and weak passwords

11 0417.4.2.03 — Including: zero login, biometric methods, magnetic stripes, smart cards, physical tokens, electronic tokens

Including: zero login, biometric methods, magnetic stripes, smart cards, physical tokens, electronic tokens

12 0417.4.2.04 — Including the use of anti-malware and anti-virus software The operation of removing/quarantining viruses using up to date software Scanning

Including the use of anti-malware and anti-virus software The operation of removing/quarantining viruses using up to date software Scanning the storage media used to transfer data Scanning the data/software when downloading

13 0417.4.2.05 — Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of video-conferencing, audio‑conferencing, web-conferencing The hardware, software and n

Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of video-conferencing, audio‑conferencing, web-conferencing The hardware, software and network connection required to set up each type of electronic conference

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