← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Sketching a map of a network

A sketch that shows each device as a labelled shape, with lines for the connections. Use a solid line for wired links and a dashed line for wireless links.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Networks and Sharing Data — Module 19

Understanding Sketching a map of a network in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: A box with the label Server is a labelled shape. The label tells the reader which device it shows. A solid line shows a wired link, like a cable between a computer and a switch. The lines show which devices are linked to each other. Wi-Fi has no cable, so it is drawn with a dashed line. Labelling the router and server helps readers see which devices share data and connections. Draw and label the devices first, then join them with solid or dashed lines.

Common mistakes: The box for the laptop is missing its closing bracket. It should be box(Laptop) so the laptop is drawn as a labelled shape. The box has no label. Every device on a network map needs its name, so it should be box(Server).

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 27–43) and word search (Modules 5–43).

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Learning
Duo
Which is the best way to show a laptop on a network map?
A shape with a label, such as a box named LaptopA shape with no label so it is a mystery
Matches
[Tablet] ------- [Router] (the tablet uses Wi-Fi)
↓
A solid line was used for a wireless link. Wi-Fi should be drawn as a dashed line.
Applying
Meanings
Term
network map
Meaning
A sketch that shows each device as a labelled shape, with lines for the connections. Use a solid line for wired links and a dashed line for wireless links.
Practice
[Router] ------- [Server]
Testing
Gaps
[Tablet] [Router]
Check Answer
Spots
1box(Router)
2box(Laptop # Wi-Fi

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Quick Questions

1. Which is the best way to show a laptop on a network map?
A. A shape with a label, such as a box named Laptop ✓
B. A shape with no label so it is a mystery
Each device is drawn as a labelled shape so anyone reading the map knows what it is.
2. How should a wired connection be drawn on a network map?
A. A solid line ✓
B. A dashed line
A solid line shows a wired link, like a cable between a computer and a switch.
3. How should a wireless connection be drawn on a network map?
A. A solid line
B. A dashed line ✓
A dashed line shows a wireless link, like a tablet using Wi-Fi.
4. What do the lines on a network map show?
A. The connections between devices ✓
B. How fast each device can type
The lines show which devices are linked to each other.
5. A tablet connects to the router using Wi-Fi. Which drawing is correct?
A. A solid line from the Tablet to the Router
B. A dashed line from the Tablet to the Router ✓
Wi-Fi has no cable, so it is drawn with a dashed line.

Match the Pairs

[Laptop] - - - - [Router] → A dashed line means the laptop is connected to the router wirelessly
[Printer] ------- [Switch] → A solid line means the printer is connected to the switch with a cable
Each device on a network map is drawn as a shape with a label so people know what it is → [Server]
A map of the classroom network shows the router in the middle with lines to the devices it connects → [Tablet] - - - [Router] ------- [Server]
[Tablet] ------- [Router] (the tablet uses Wi-Fi) → A solid line was used for a wireless link. Wi-Fi should be drawn as a dashed line.
[ ] ------- [ ] - - - [ ] → The shapes have no labels, so nobody can tell which device is the router or the server.

Key Term

network map
A sketch that shows each device as a labelled shape, with lines for the connections. Use a solid line for wired links and a dashed line for wireless links.

Fill in the Blanks

1. # Wi-Fi link (wireless) [Tablet] - - - - [Router]
Hint: Type the dashed line that shows a link with no cable.
2. # Cable link (wired) [Server] ----- [Router]
Hint: Type the solid line that shows a cable link.
3. # Shares the internet with all devices [Laptop] ----- [Router]
Hint: Type the label of the device that sends data between devices and the internet.
4. # Stores the shared class files [Server] ----- [Router]
Hint: Type the label of the device that stores shared files for others to use.
5. Key: solid line = wired Key: dashed line = wireless
Hint: Type the word for links that use cables.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A box(Router)
B box(Laptop # Wi-Fi
C link(Router, Laptop, dashed)
Line B — The box for the laptop is missing its closing bracket. It should be box(Laptop) so the laptop is drawn as a labelled shape.
Question 2
A box()
B box(Switch)
C link(Server, Switch, solid)
Line A — The box has no label. Every device on a network map needs its name, so it should be box(Server).
Question 3
A box(Router)
B box(Tablet) # Wi-Fi
C link(Router, Tablet, solid)
Line C — The tablet connects by Wi-Fi, which is wireless. Wireless links use a dashed line, so it should be link(Router, Tablet, dashed).
Question 4
A box(Server)
B box(Router)
C box(Desktop) # cable
D link(Desktop, Router, dashed)
Line D — The desktop is joined by a cable, which is a wired link. Wired links use a solid line, so it should be link(Desktop, Router, solid).
Question 5
A box Router
B box(Server)
C link(Router, Server, solid)
Line A — The brackets are missing. A device is drawn as a labelled shape, so it should be box(Router).

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