AS ICT and A2 ICT Communications technology and its application

Features of networked systems and the system cycle

• Development of networking
• Effects of new communications technology e.g. E-commerce, video conferencing
• Changing work practices: need for retraining and reskilling
• Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model
• Systems Life Cycle stages
• User Centred Approach
• Requirements Specification
• Systems Specification

Communications and networked systems

• Networks - index of topics
• Network topologies
• Network components - switches, hubs, NIC, routers, repeaters, bridges, protocols, gateways
• Methods used to organise LANs and WANS
• Modern telephone systems and ISDN, ADSL, DSL
• Cable television networks - services available
• Mobile communication systems
• Satellite cellular communications
• Satellite communications
• GPS
• Optical communications
• Wireless communication
• Circuit and packet switching
• Communications software for networked devices
• Interfaces and protocols
• Data transmission and errors
• Bandwidth

The role and implications of communications systems

• Input, output and storage devices
• Dialogue and interaction
• Human Computer Interface and Graphical User Interface
• Common network environments - intranet, internet
• Network security - firewalls, access control, audit control
• Encryption and authentication techniques

Applications of ICT

• Common characteristics of applications and systems
• Limitations of ICT in society
• Information Super Highway
• New developments resulting from ICT
• Distributed databases