2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology

Networking and Hardware

Marking Guidelines

Section I

Multiple-choice Answer Key

Question Answer
1 B
2 A
3 B
4 D
5 C
6 B
7 D
8 D
9 C
10 A
11 A
12 D
13 B
14 C
15 C
16 A
17 A
18 D
19 C
20 B

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NESA 2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology – Networking and Hardware Marking Guidelines

Section II

Question 21 (a)

Criteria Marks
• Identifies the purpose of a file extension and provides an example 2
• Identifies the purpose of a file extension
OR 1
• Provides an example

Sample answer:
A file extension identifies the application required to open the particular file, eg .doc.

Question 21 (b)

Criteria Marks
• Outlines TWO accessibility features of an operating system 2
• Outlines ONE accessibility feature of an operating system
OR 1
• Names TWO accessibility features

Sample answer:
Text to speech narration allows people with visual impairments to access written text by
having it read out loud. ‘Sticky keys’ makes it possible to use keyboard shortcuts without
needing to press more than one key at once.

Answers could include:

• Magnifier
• Voice control.

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NESA 2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology – Networking and Hardware Marking Guidelines

Question 21 (c)

Criteria Marks
• Explains the effect that the convergence of technologies has had on the
ICT industry 4
• Provides relevant examples
• Outlines the effect that the convergence of technologies has had on the
ICT industry 3
• Provides at least one relevant example
• Identifies some features of the convergence of technologies
OR 2
• Outlines ONE features of the convergence of technologies
• Shows a basic understanding of convergence 1

Sample answer:
The incorporation of multiple functions within a single device has led to major changes in the
ICT industry. Devices are now more complex and greater training is required for staff
providing service and support for these devices. It has also led to a growth in the demand for
software applications that run on mobile platforms. For example the smartphone usually
includes a camera, a GPS, web browsing, eCommerce payment facilities, music, video and
game player as well as a telephone. Other examples include multi-function printers that also
scan, fax and copy.

Question 22

Criteria Marks
• Provides a description of the role of SafeWork NSW 2
• Identifies a function of SafeWork NSW 1

Sample answer:
SafeWork NSW is responsible for providing advice to organisations on improving work
health and safety, investigating workplace incidents and enforcing WHS laws in NSW. Its
main purpose is to help organisations to meet their WHS obligations.

Answers could include:

Licensing and registration for dangerous work.

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NESA 2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology – Networking and Hardware Marking Guidelines

Question 23 (a)

Criteria Marks
• Explains how a business may be affected by malicious software 2
• Provides some relevant information 1

Sample answer:
Malicious software such as viruses can cause corruption of files, leading to employee
downtime or inability to work effectively while repairs are made.

Answers could include:

• Data loss
• Security breaches
• Slow loading times / processing speeds.

Question 23 (b)

Criteria Marks
• Provides a list of relevant troubleshooting steps 3
• Identifies some relevant troubleshooting steps 2
• Identifies a relevant troubleshooting step 1

Sample answer:
Check:
• there is power to the device
• the keyboard is plugged in
• username and password are correct
• ‘Caps Lock’ key not on
• Wi-Fi on / network connectivity cable in
• server is running
• networking equipment
• proxy settings if applicable.

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NESA 2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology – Networking and Hardware Marking Guidelines

Question 24 (a)

Criteria Marks
• Outlines TWO relevant factors 2
• Outlines ONE relevant factor OR identifies relevant factors 1

Sample answer:
To ensure adequate signal strength, the distance between the router and the furthest user
should be less than 30 metres and the path between users and the router should have
minimum obstacles, eg walls.

Answers could include:

• Number of users
• Physical placement eg ceiling
• Power over ethernet
• Proximity to power / data points.

Question 24 (b)

Criteria Marks
• Identifies circumstances when satellite is the most effective option for a
2
SOHO to access the internet
• Identifies a circumstance when satellite is effective for a SOHO to access
1
the internet

Sample answer:
Office may be in a remote or rural area where other services may not be available, eg NBN,
fibre, ADSL. Office may be in an area where the cost of such other services is prohibitive.

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NESA 2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology – Networking and Hardware Marking Guidelines

Question 24 (c)

Criteria Marks
• Explains how the long-term reliability of networked desktop computers
4
can be improved
• Outlines how the long-term reliability of networked desktop computers
3
can be improved
• Outlines a way of improving the long-term reliability of desktop
computers
OR 2
• Identifies ways of improving the long-term reliability of desktop
computers
• Identifies a way of improving the long-term reliability of desktop
1
computers

Sample answer:
Regular updates of operating system software to overcome security vulnerabilities and be
compatible with relevant hardware and software. Use preventative maintenance tools such as
defrag, disk cleanup and check disk to maintain efficiency of the hard drive. Ensure antivirus
updates and scans are regularly performed to identify and remove potential threats. Ensure
hardware components are kept appropriately clean and free of dust and dirt to prevent
physical damage.

Question 25

Criteria Marks
• Explains the role of port assignment when configuring a firewall 3
• Shows some understanding of port assignment and/or firewalls 2
• Provides some relevant information 1

Sample answer:
Individual software applications require specific ports to be available in order to operate, eg
Port 80 is used by HTTP. Ports that are not required are normally closed to reduce the risk of
unauthorised access or virus activity.

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NESA 2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology – Networking and Hardware Marking Guidelines

Question 26

Criteria Marks
• Clearly shows how Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies are different 4
• Identifies features of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies showing some
3
understanding of their differences
• Identifies features of Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi technologies 2
• Identifies a feature of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi 1

Sample answer:
Bluetooth is normally one-to-one connection and Wi-Fi is capable of a one-to-many

connection.

Bluetooth has a simple authentication with low security whereas Wi-Fi has more security

options.

Wi-Fi allows for file sharing between devices on the same network.

Bluetooth (V4) is capable of long-range connections and higher data rates.

Answers could include:

Older versions (BR/EDR V2) of Bluetooth had a shorter range than Wi-Fi and were often

used for streaming audio.

Bluetooth (BR/EDR V2) uses a lower bandwidth that makes data transfer slower than

Wi-Fi.

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NESA 2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology – Networking and Hardware Marking Guidelines

Section III

Question 27 (a)

Criteria Marks
• Explains the benefits of entering into a vendor contract for the company 3
• Shows some understanding of vendor contracts 2
• Provides some relevant information 1

Sample answer:
A benefit of a vendor contract is guaranteed support from the specific supplier within an
agreed timeframe. Usually a specific technician is assigned to your business for continuity
and familiarity. Also training is provided to users to allow them to quickly troubleshoot
common problems.

Answers could include:

• Preferential pricing (discounts)
• Replacement of faulty parts/equipment
• Software/product customisation.

Question 27 (b)

Criteria Marks
• Explains how to efficiently achieve the required file sharing 4
• Outlines how to achieve the required file sharing 3
• Shows some understanding of file sharing 2
• Provides some relevant information 1

Sample answer:
Appropriate groups need to be created, for example ‘staff’ and ‘managers’. A shared folder
needs to be created on a network drive. The file needs to be saved in this shared folder and
staff group members are allocated ‘read only’ permission while members of the managers’
group have full permissions that allow them read/write/delete access.

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NESA 2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology – Networking and Hardware Marking Guidelines

Question 27 (c)

Criteria Marks
• Outlines ways to reduce problems with the printer showing thorough
understanding of the issues indicated by the log 8
• Justifies all the ways
• Outlines ways to reduce problems with the printer showing sound
understanding of the issues indicated by the log 6–7
• Justifies some of the ways
• Identifies ways to reduce problems with the printer in the scenario
4–5
• Provides some justification for at least one of the ways
• Shows some understanding of how to reduce printer problems 2–3
• Provides some relevant information 1

Sample answer:
Page count (approximately 5000 per week) is too high for a small laser printer. This results in
frequent toner cartridge changes. Moving to a higher capacity printer would enable longer
periods between cartridge changes and lower maintenance costs.

Toner cartridges are needed frequently yet each time they are required, a member of the
service staff is required to order a single replacement. This means that the printer is
unavailable for up to three days. Estimating the usage and ensuring there is always an
adequate stock of cartridges on hand would reduce the downtime.

A networked printer would be able to alert support staff when consumables such as toner and
drums would need to be replaced. This would enable service staff to be proactive and
undertake the replacements prior to the toner becoming exhausted.

There appears to be no regular preventative maintenance taking place on this printer. If this
was implemented issues such as drum replacement and cleaning could be undertaken before
they cause the printer to fail.

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NESA 2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology – Networking and Hardware Marking Guidelines

Section IV

Question 28

Criteria Marks
• Addresses all components of the question
• Provides a cohesive, well-reasoned, sequenced response that reflects a
high level of organisation, judgement, synthesis and problem-solving
skills
13–15
• Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of how to raise awareness on the
importance of consultation and participation in WHS processes with
reference to the scenario
• Consistently uses relevant industry terminology
• Addresses most components of the question
• Provides a reasoned, sequenced response that reflects a high level of
organisation and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrates a detailed understanding of how to raise awareness on the 10–12
importance of consultation and participation in WHS processes with
reference to the scenario
• Uses relevant industry terminology
• Addresses the majority of the components of the question
• Provides a response displaying sound organisation and problem-solving
skills
• Demonstrates a sound understanding of how to raise awareness on the 7–9
importance of consultation and participation in WHS processes with
reference to the scenario
• Uses some relevant industry terminology
• Addresses some components of the question
• Provides a response displaying some organisation and problem-solving
skills 4–6
• Demonstrates some understanding of how to assist the organisation in the
scenario
• Addresses at least one component of the question
• Provides a response displaying basic organisation 1–3
• Demonstrates a basic understanding of concerns in the scenario
Answers could include:
• Facilitate a supportive workplace culture
• Cater for the needs of people with disabilities
• Address language and literacy levels of participants
• Promote a systematic approaches to work
• Improve poor communication skills
• Cater for cultural differences
• Encourage communication between workers on different shifts
• Improve workplace procedures
• Understand employer and staff roles and responsibilities relating to WHS
• Need to comply with WHS regulations.

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NESA 2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology – Networking and Hardware Marking Guidelines

2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology

Networking and hardware
Mapping Grid

Section I

Question Marks HSC content – focus area

1 1 (Mandatory) Working in the industry — nature of the industry – page 24
2 1 (Mandatory) Safety — safe work practices and procedures – pages 38–39
3 1 (Mandatory) Operating system software — operating systems – page 29
4 1 (Mandatory) Operating system software — operating systems – page 30
5 1 (Mandatory) Diagnostic testing — troubleshooting – page 33
6 1 (Mandatory) Safety — risk management – page 38
(Mandatory) Diagnostic testing — destructive and malicious software
7 1
protection – pages 34–35
8 1 (Mandatory) Operating system software — operating systems – page 29
9 1 (Mandatory) Working in the industry — nature of the industry – page 24
10 1 (Mandatory) Diagnostic testing — preventative maintenance – page 34
(Stream) Networking and hardware — components, protocols and
11 1
standards – page 48
(Stream) Networking and hardware — components, protocols and
12 1
standards – page 48
13 1 (Stream) Networking and hardware — network security – page 51
14 1 (Stream) Networking and hardware — network security – page 51
(Stream) Networking and hardware — determining requirements –
15 1
page 49
(Stream) Networking and hardware — components, protocols and
16 1
standards – page 49
(Stream) Networking and hardware — components, protocols and
17 1
standards – page 49
18 1 (Stream) Networking and hardware — network security – page 51
(Stream) Networking and hardware — network and hardware testing –
19 1
page 51
(Stream) Networking and hardware — network and hardware testing –
20 1
page 51

Section II

Question Marks HSC content – focus area

(Mandatory) Operating system software — configuring an operating
21 (a) 2
system – page 30
(Mandatory) Operating system software — selecting an operating system
21 (b) 2
– page 29
21 (c) 4 (Mandatory) Working in the industry — nature of the industry – page 24
22 2 (Mandatory) Safety — WHS – page 37
23 (a) 2 (Mandatory) Diagnostic testing — client business context – page 33
23 (b) 3 (Mandatory) Diagnostic testing — troubleshooting – page 45

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NESA 2017 HSC Information and Digital Technology – Networking and Hardware Marking Guidelines

(Stream) Networking and hardware — network and hardware installation –

24 (a) 2
page 50
(Stream) Networking and hardware — determining requirements –
24 (b) 2
page 49
(Stream) Networking and hardware — network and hardware installation –
24 (c) 4
page 50
(Stream) Networking and hardware — components, protocols and
25 3
standards – page 49
(Stream) Networking and hardware — components, protocols and
26 4
standards – page 49

Section III

Question Marks HSC content – focus area

(Stream) Networking and hardware — provision of client/user support

27 (a) 3
services – page 52

27 (b) 4 (Stream) Networking and hardware — network security – page 51

(Stream) Networking and hardware — documentation, logs of client/user

problems – page 52
27 (c) 8
Networking and hardware — provision of client/user support services –
page 52

Section IV

Question Marks HSC content – focus area

(Mandatory) Working in the industry — working with others –
28 15 pages 26–27
(Mandatory) Safety — WHS consultation and participation – page 39

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