← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

Choosing a network type for a scenario

Name the needs (speed, reliability, security, cost, mobility), match them to wired, wireless or mobile, then justify the choice using the word because.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Wired and Wireless Networks — Module 30, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Network Communications — Module 91

Understanding Choosing a network type for a scenario in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: The code shows the full pattern: need, network type, and a justification using because. Fixed computers that need steady speed and security suit wired Ethernet. Wireless is not wrong for every device, but the needs here point to wired. Cable over long distances is expensive and signals weaken. Mobile networks cover remote areas using towers, so they match the needs of cost and mobility. Wired connections are usually faster and more reliable, with less interference. That makes them the best match for competitive gaming. Wi-Fi is chosen for mobility and convenience. Wired networks are generally harder to intercept, so security is not its advantage.

Common mistakes: The lab needs speed and reliability, and fixed PCs suit cables. The choice should be wired (Ethernet), not wireless. The needs, choice and reason all describe a remote farm with no cables. Line 1 should be the farm scenario, not a city office block.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 69–124) and word search (Modules 69–152).

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Learning
Duo
A school computer lab has 30 fixed desktop PCs that need fast, reliable, secure access all day. Which choice is best?
Wireless, because cables are never needed for fixed computersWired, because the PCs stay put and need speed, reliability and security
Matches
Choose wireless for the esports tournament PCs.
↓
There is no need named and no because. Wireless can drop out or lag, so it is a poor match for a game that needs speed and reliability.
Applying
Meanings
Term
choose a network type
Meaning
Name the needs (speed, reliability, security, cost, mobility), match them to wired, wireless or mobile, then justify the choice using the word because.
Practice
Scenario: Esports team room
Testing
Gaps
Choose: because cables are stable
Check Answer
Spots
2Needs: speed, reliability
3Choice: wireless

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Quick Questions

1. A school computer lab has 30 fixed desktop PCs that need fast, reliable, secure access all day. Which choice is best?
A. Wireless, because cables are never needed for fixed computers
B. Wired, because the PCs stay put and need speed, reliability and security ✓
Fixed computers that need steady speed and security suit wired Ethernet. Wireless is not wrong for every device, but the needs here point to wired.
2. A farmer wants internet for a ute and a paddock 20 km from the nearest town. Running cable is too costly. Which choice is best?
A. Mobile (cellular), because it covers long distances without laying cables ✓
B. Wired Ethernet, because it is cheap to lay over 20 km
Cable over long distances is expensive and signals weaken. Mobile networks cover remote areas using towers, so they match the needs of cost and mobility.
3. An esports player needs the lowest delay and the most stable connection for tournament games. Which is the better match?
A. Wired, because it gives lower latency and fewer dropouts ✓
B. Wireless, because it is more reliable than a cable
Wired connections are usually faster and more reliable, with less interference. That makes them the best match for competitive gaming.
4. Which answer correctly justifies a choice of network type?
A. I chose wired.
B. I chose wired because the editing PC needs fast, stable file transfers. ✓
A good choice names the need and uses the word because to link the need to the network type. A choice alone is not a justification.
5. A video editor moves huge files between a desktop and a storage server. What need matters most?
A. Speed, so a wired connection is a good match ✓
B. Mobility, so a mobile network is a good match
Large files need high bandwidth and a steady link. Wired Ethernet or fibre delivers this better than most wireless options.

Match the Pairs

Wired (Ethernet) for the school computer lab → Chosen because the lab needs fast, reliable, secure connections for desktop computers that never move.
Mobile (cellular) for a remote farm → Chosen because there are no cables or Wi-Fi nearby, and the farmer needs to connect while moving around paddocks.
For esports or video editing, name the needs speed and reliability, then match them to a wired network. → Choose wired because esports needs low latency and fast, steady speed.
When a scenario needs both mobility and fast fixed connections, combine wired and wireless. → Use wired for the desktops and Wi-Fi for laptops because students move around.
Choose wireless for the esports tournament PCs. → There is no need named and no because. Wireless can drop out or lag, so it is a poor match for a game that needs speed and reliability.
Lay Ethernet cables across the remote farm because cables are always best. → This ignores the needs of the scenario. Laying long cables across a farm is costly, and a farmer who moves around needs mobility.

Key Term

choose a network type
Name the needs (speed, reliability, security, cost, mobility), match them to wired, wireless or mobile, then justify the choice using the word because.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Scenario: school computer lab Need: reliability and speed Choose: wired because cables are stable
Hint: Type the network type that best matches the needs of a lab full of fixed computers.
2. Scenario: remote farm, no cables Need: mobility Choose: mobile because it covers wide areas
Hint: Type the network type that works across a wide area without laying cables.
3. Scenario: esports team match Need: speed and low latency Choose: wired because cables are fast
Hint: Type the word that joins the choice to its justification.
4. Scenario: lab PCs plus student tablets Choose: wired PCs, wireless tablets
Hint: Type the network type that suits tablets that move around, in a combined network.
5. Scenario: video editing large files Need: speed to move big files quickly Choose: wired because it is fast
Hint: Type the need that this scenario is about, the one that matters when moving big files.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Scenario: school computer lab
B Needs: speed, reliability
C Choice: wireless
D Because: cables are steady
Line C — The lab needs speed and reliability, and fixed PCs suit cables. The choice should be wired (Ethernet), not wireless.
Question 2
A Scenario: city office block
B Needs: coverage over distance
C Choice: mobile network
D Because: no cables reach it
Line A — The needs, choice and reason all describe a remote farm with no cables. Line 1 should be the farm scenario, not a city office block.
Question 3
A Scenario: esports player
B Needs: speed, low delay
C Choice: mobile only
D Because: it is fast and steady
Line C — An esports player needs speed and low delay. A mobile network can be slower and less steady, so the choice should be wired (Ethernet).
Question 4
A Scenario: school library
B Needs: mobility and speed
C Choice: wired only
D Because: it covers both needs
Line C — The library needs both mobility and speed. A wired-only choice cannot meet the mobility need, so it should combine wired and wireless.
Question 5
A Scenario: video editing studio
B Needs: fast large file copies
C Choice: wired (Ethernet)
D Because: cables are slow
Line D — The justification contradicts the choice. Wired cables are fast, which is why they suit large file copies. It should say cables are fast.

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