A2.2 Network architecture questions for IB Computer Science

69 questions on Network architecture, written by Augment in the style of IB exam papers. Six of them are below in full, to answer on paper.

Questions by paper and level

SL and HL questions are for students at either level. HL only questions cover what only HL students study.

Paper	SL and HL	HL only	All
Paper 1	54	15	69

Counted on 10 November 2026

Written by Augment in the style of IB exams, not past papers. Answer them on paper, then check each one against its markscheme with a free account.

Question 1 · CS-00111Paper 1 · 12 marks

A dental clinic has the network shown in Figure 1. Every device is connected by its own cable to one switch.

(a)
Identify the topology used inside the clinic.
1 mark
(b)
Outline the effect on the clinic if the cable to Surgery 2 PC is cut.
2 marks
(c)
Outline the effect on the clinic if the switch fails.
2 marks
(d)
Explain how using a switch at the centre of the star helps to avoid data collisions on the clinic's network.
3 marks
(e)
The clinic manager suggests replacing the star with a full mesh, in which every device is cabled directly to every other device.
Discuss whether this would be a sensible change for the clinic.
4 marks

Question 2 · CS-00112Paper 1 · 8 marks

A payments company links the five core switches in its data centre as shown in Figure 1. Each line is a separate cable.

(a)
State the name of this topology.
1 mark
(b)
The company plans to add three more core switches and keep the same topology. Calculate the total number of links that will be needed, showing your working.
2 marks
(c)
Explain why the company has chosen this topology for its core switches.
3 marks
(d)
Outline one disadvantage of this topology as the data centre grows.
2 marks

Question 3 · CS-00113Paper 1 · 9 marks

A logistics company has six warehouses, P to U. Their routers are connected by leased lines as shown in Figure 1.

(a)
Identify the topology shown in Figure 1.
1 mark
(b)
Identify the warehouse that would be cut off from all the others if a single line failed.
1 mark
(c)
The line between Q and S fails. Explain whether P can still exchange data with T.
2 marks
(d)
Suggest one extra line that would most improve the reliability of the network, and justify your choice.
2 marks
(e)
Explain why the company has not connected every warehouse directly to every other warehouse.
3 marks

Question 4 · CS-00114Paper 1 · 4 marks

An accounting office with eight staff is setting up a wired network using a star topology.

(a)
Describe a star topology.
2 marks
(b)
Outline one reason why a star topology suits the accounting office.
2 marks

Question 5 · CS-00115Paper 1 · 4 marks

A city council is choosing between a star topology and a full mesh topology to connect the 20 computers in a new customer-service centre.

(a)
Distinguish between a star topology and a full mesh topology in terms of scalability.
2 marks
(b)
Distinguish between a star topology and a full mesh topology in terms of cost.
2 marks

Question 6 · CS-00116Paper 1 · 7 marks

A secondary school connects three buildings as shown in Figure 1.

(a)
Identify the topology of the whole school network.
1 mark
(b)
Outline the effect on the school if Switch 2 fails.
2 marks
(c)
Outline the effect on the school if the core router fails.
2 marks
(d)
Suggest one change that would make the network between the buildings more reliable, and justify it.
2 marks

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