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

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

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

2 A train company wants to install a self-service ticket machine system for its train stations. When the customer has purchased their tickets, the machine will provide a paper ticket. (a) One output device that is used in the ticket machine is a display screen. Identify one other output device that is used in the ticket machine system. … [1] (b) The train company does not want users to use a keyboard or a mouse to enter their data, when buying a ticket. The company is worried that they may be stolen or get too dirty. Identify one other input device that would be suitable for use in the ticket machine system, to allow users to enter their data. … [1]

2(a) Any one from: − Printer − Speaker − Light/LED − Actuator 1 2(b) Any one from: − Touchscreen − Trackpad / touchpad − Microphone − QR code reader − Barcode reader − Magnetic strip reader − RFID reader 1

4 The paragraph explains the operation of different touch screen technologies. Complete the paragraph using the list of terms. Not all terms in the list need to be used. • capacitive • change • circuit • conductive • coordinates • grid • heat • infra-red • insulating • light • manufacture • pressure • resistive In … touch screen technology, an electrostatic field is present on the surface of the touch screen. The … properties of a user cause a … in the field. The … of the user’s touch can be calculated. In … touch screen technology, a user pushes the top layer of the screen and makes it connect with the bottom layer to complete a … . This type of touch screen is cheaper to … . [7]

4 One mark per each correct term in the correct order. − Capacitive − Conductive // Capacitive − Change − Coordinates − Resistive − Circuit − Manufacture 7

Cambridge O Level Computer Science · 2210

O-Level Computer Science (2210) Hardware past paper questions

Revise O-Level Computer Science (2210) — 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.

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