1 Benedict has a computer that is assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address. The IP address is: 198.167.214.0 The IP address is represented as denary values. (a) Convert the denary values 167 and 214 from the IP address to 8-bit binary. 167 214 Working space … … … … [2] (b) Benedict’s computer is also assigned a Media Access Control (MAC) address. (i) Identify one similarity between an IP address and a MAC address. … … [1] (ii) Identify two differences between an IP address and a MAC address. Difference 1 … … … Difference 2 … … … [2]

1(a) One mark per each correct register. 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 2 1(b)(i) Any one from: − Both addresses can be used to identify a computer/device − Both are unique − Both can be represented as hexadecimal − Both addresses do not change if IP address is static 1 1(b)(ii) Any two from: − An IP address is assigned by the network/router/ISP, A MAC address is assigned by the manufacturer − An IP address can be changed (if dynamic), MAC address cannot be changed − IP address has 4/8 groups of values, MAC address has 6 groups/pairs of values − IP address is 32-bit/128-bit, MAC address is 48-bit − IP address does not contain serial number/manufacturer number, MAC address does − IP(v4) address is denary and MAC address is hexadecimal 2 To earn marks for 1(a), you must correctly convert each denary value (167 and 214) into its 8-bit binary equivalent. For 1(b)(i), you need to state one valid similarity between an IP address and a MAC address, such as both identifying a device or being unique. For 1(b)(ii), you must provide two distinct differences between an IP address and a MAC address, like how they are assigned or their bit length.

1 Greta has a computer that she uses for schoolwork and leisure. (a) The computer has the Media Access Control (MAC) address: 00:A0:C9:14:C8:29 (i) Tick (3) to show whether the MAC address is initially assigned to the computer by the network, the manufacturer or the user. Tick (3) Network Manufacturer User [1] (ii) The values in the MAC address are hexadecimal values. Convert the three given hexadecimal values into 8-bit binary. 14 … A0 … C9 … [3] Working space … … … (iii) Convert the two given hexadecimal values into denary. 29 … C8 … [2] Working space … … … (b) Greta stores data on several off-line storage devices, including an external hard disk drive (HDD), a USB flash memory drive and a compact disc (CD). (i) Identify the type of storage for each device. External HDD … USB flash memory drive … CD … [3] (ii) Describe the operation of a HDD and how it stores data. … … … … … … … … [4]

1(a)(i) − manufacturer 1 1(a)(ii) One mark per each correct binary value. − 00010100 − 10100000 − 11001001 3 1a(iii) One mark per each correct denary value. − 41 − 200 2 1(b)(i) − Magnetic − Solid state − Optical 3 1(b)(ii) Any four from: − It has platters − Platters/disk divided into tracks − Platter/disk is spun − Has a read/write arm that moves across storage media − Read/writes data using electromagnets − Uses magnetic fields to control magnetic dots of data − Magnetic field determines binary value 4

2 Julia inputs personal data into her computer. She stores three copies of the data using a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD) and a USB flash memory drive. (a) Identify three devices Julia can use to input personal data into her computer. Device 1 … Device 2 … Device 3 … [3] (b) Six statements are shown about HDDs, SSDs and USB flash memory drives. Tick (✓) to show which statements apply to each type of storage. Some statements can apply to more than one type of storage. Statement HDD (✓) SSD (✓) USB flash memory drive (✓) it has no moving parts it is non-volatile it can use NAND gates to store data it uses magnetic properties to store data it has the smallest physical size it has the slowest read/write speeds [6] (c) Julia uses a USB connection to transfer data onto her USB flash memory drive. (i) One benefit of using a USB connection is that it is a universal connection. State two other benefits of using a USB connection. Benefit 1 … … Benefit 2 … … [2] (ii) Identify the type of data transmission used in a USB connection. … [1]

2(a) Any three from: − Keyboard − Mouse − Microphone − Keypad − Touchscreen − Touchpad 3 2(b) One mark for each correct row. Statement HDD () SSD () USB flash memory drive () it has no moving parts   it is non-volatile    it can use NAND gates to store data   it uses magnetic properties to store data  it has the smallest physical size  it has the slowest read/write speeds  6 2(c)(i) Any two from: − It cannot be inserted incorrectly − Supports different transmission speeds − High speed transmission − Automatically detected (not connected) // automatically downloads drivers − Powers the device (for data transfer) − Backward compatible 2 2(c)(ii) − Serial 1 For 2(a), you need to identify three distinct input devices that Julia could use to enter personal data. For 2(b), you must correctly tick the appropriate storage types (HDD, SSD, USB flash memory drive) for each of the six given statements. For 2(c)(i), you need to state two benefits of using a USB connection, beyond it being universal, such as its ease of insertion or high transmission speed.

2 Data storage can be magnetic, solid state or optical. (a) Six statements are given about data storage. Tick (3) to show if the statement applies to magnetic, solid state or optical storage. Some statements may apply to more than one type of storage. Statement Magnetic (3) Solid state (3) Optical (3) no moving parts are used to store data pits and lands are used to store data data is stored on platters flash memory is used to store data parts are rotated to store data data can be stored permanently [6] (b) (i) Give one example of magnetic storage. … [1] (ii) Give one example of optical storage. … [1] (iii) Identify which type of storage would be the most suitable for use in a web server and justify your choice. Type of storage … Justification … … … … [3] (c) Describe the operation of USB flash memory and how it stores data. … … … … … … [3]

2(a) One mark per each correct row. Statement Magnetic () Solid state () Optical () no moving parts are used to store data  pits and lands are used to store data  data is stored on platters  flash memory is used to store data  parts are rotated to store data   data can be stored permanently    6 2(b)(i) Any one from: − Hard disk drive // HDD − Magnetic tape 1 2(b)(ii) Any one from: − CD − DVD − Blu-ray disk 1 2(b)(iii) One for type of storage, two for matching justification from: − Magnetic // HDD − (Web server) is likely to receive many requests a day − (Web server) will likely need to store a lot of data and magnetic is high capacity − Magnetic is cheaper to buy for storage per unit than solid state − Magnetic is capable of more of read/write requests over time // has more longevity // SSD has more limited number of read/write requests (before it is no longer usable) − No requirement for it to be portable, so moving parts does not matter − Solid-state // SSD − (Web server) is likely to receive many requests a day − (Web server) will likely need to store a lot of data and solid-state is high capacity − Solid-state is more energy efficient − Solid-state runs cooler so will not overheat − Solid state has faster read/write speeds to handle volume of traffic 3 2(c) Any three from: − Data is flashed onto (silicon) chips − Uses NAND/NOR technology // can use flip-flops − Uses transistors/control gates/floating gates … − … to control the flow of electrons − It is a type of EEPROM technology − When data is stored the transistor is converted from 1 to 0 / 0 to 1 − Writes (and reads) sequentially 3 (a) For each statement, you must correctly tick the box(es) corresponding to the storage type(s) (magnetic, solid state, optical) it applies to. (b)(i) You need to provide one specific example of magnetic storage. (b)(ii) You need to provide one specific example of optical storage. (b)(iii) You must identify a suitable storage type for a web server and provide two distinct justifications that explain why it's appropriate, such as high capacity or cost-effectiveness.

2 Magda has a mobile telephone. She uses the touch screen on her telephone to send emails to her customers. The touch screen breaks, stopping Magda from using it to type her emails. (a) Identify one other input device that would be built into the mobile telephone that Magda could use to send an email to her customers. … [1] (b) The touch screen operates by using the conductive properties of the object that is used to touch the screen. State whether the touch screen is a resistive, capacitive or infra-red touch screen. … [1] (c) Magda is listening to music on her mobile telephone when she receives a telephone call. A signal is sent within the telephone to stop the music and output that a call has been received. Give the name of this type of signal. … [1]

2(a) − Microphone 1 2(b) − capacitive 1 2(c) − interrupt 1 (a) To earn the mark, a student must identify 'Microphone' as an input device. (b) To earn the mark, a student must state that the touch screen is 'capacitive'. (c) To earn the mark, a student must name the signal as an 'interrupt'.

Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science · 0478

IGCSE Computer Science (0478) Hardware past paper questions

Revise IGCSE Computer Science (0478) — Hardware with real Cambridge past-paper questions grouped by topic, each shown with its marking scheme. Working one topic at a time targets exactly the skill each question tests.

132 free questions from 2016–2021, each with its marking scheme. Open the full topical bank to filter by subtopic, paper, and year.