OCR A2 Computing: Unit 2511 - Integrated Information Systems

5.6.1

Use of Systems and Data

The commercial value of data

identify data which has commercial value, explaining why such data has this value, and discuss contemporary trends in the compilation and use of valuable databases

The importance of standards

explain the advantages of standardisation and describe some areas of standardisation such as file formats, ISDN, OSI model and its use together with communications
protocols;

Communications and electronic commerce (communication)

describe ways in which computers aid communication, including voice mail, e-mail, digital telephone system facilities, e-commerce over the internet, tele/videoconferencing
and electronic data interchange

Communications and electronic commerce (network systems)

select and justify an appropriate network system for a particular application, including the bandwidth required to transmit different forms of data such as text, sound, real-time
sampled data and video, hardware such as file servers, hubs, repeaters and switches

Communications and electronic commerce (new opportunities)

identify situations in which the transmission of data, for example over the Internet, has created or could create new opportunities for businesses and individuals, in particular explaining how e-commerce works

Training

identify and describe training and re-training requirements for a given scenario

Effects of introducing systems

describe the substantial short-term and long-term changes, in patterns of work and in quality of output, which occur as a result of introducing computing systems

5.6.2

Systems development, implementation, management and applications

Methodologies and software tools for system development

identify commonly used techniques and/or methodologies for developing computers systems such as entity models/SSADM

Methodologies and software tools for system development

describe how use of methodologies/techniques and software tools for developing
computer systems aid the systems analyst/designer and programmer in terms of the documentation, step-by-step logical progression through tasks and cross-checking
mechanisms

Application types and technical requirements

discuss the technical requirements of a system necessary to implement a range of different computer applications, including hardware, operating systems, communications, interface software, and other utility software

explain the need to provide appropriate response times for different applications, in the
context of a scenario, and its implications for hardware, software and data structures

Choice of implementation approaches: direct, parallel, phased

select, plan and justify appropriate implementation approaches for a range of different applications such as: parallel, phased, pilot, direct

Project management and software tools:

three different links below, make sure you access them all.

Aids and tools

Effective project management

Benefits of project management software

describe the process of project management and give examples of different aids a project manager may use to plan and monitor a project such as Gantt charts, critical
path analysis, identifying the benefits and drawbacks of each

discuss, giving examples, the requirement for effective project management for the implementation of different computing applications, including the benefit of using project
management software

Systems management and monitoring

discuss the implications of managing, monitoring and maintenance of systems, including the need for up-to-date documentation, software audit, quality control and
management and hardware updates

5.6.3

Simulation and real-time processing

Applications of real-time computing

describe a range of real-time applications

The feedback loop; input and output; sensors and actuators

explain the use of sensors and actuators for visible, tactile, audible and other physical signals

The use of robots

demonstrate an understanding of the use of robots in a variety of situations such as the manufacturing process or hazardous environments

Uses of simulation

explain the reasons for simulation, such as to change time-scales and/or save costs and/or avoid danger

describe the uses of simulation to assist in design, to make predictions, to test hypotheses

Variation of parameters and conditions; time steps

describe a simulation and its variables, the facility to vary conditions and observe the
sensitivity of results to such variations

Processing requirements

explain the large processing requirements of some such systems and hence recognise the need for parallel architectures

Advantages and limitations of simulations

discuss the advantages of simulation in testing the feasibility of a design

discuss the limitations of simulation, especially where the situation is subject to random events

5.6.4

Common network environments, connectivity and security issues

Data transmission

describe methods (analogue and digital) used to organise LANs and WANs, and typical rates of data transmission associated with different topologies and methods

demonstrate awareness of different media for transmitting data and their carrying capabilities

discuss the problems associated with matching human and device speeds

Network components

explain the different purposes of network components, including switches, routers, bridges and modems

Use of networks to support hyperlinking systems such as the World Wide Web (WWW)

describe the purpose of hypertext linking, identifying the means by which it can be achieved such as hotwords/links, buttons and hypertext mark up language (HTML)

describe the basic features of mark up languages

Common network environments

discuss common network environments, such as intranets, the Internet and open networks, their facilities, structure and ability to exchange information using appropriate software and techniques

describe how a network environment affects the user interface provided

discuss the demands of a nomadic network environment such as mobile phones.

1. Nomadic networks ppt

2. Nomadic networks (mobile phones).doc

3. How mobiles work

describe the uses of distributed databases, and understand the advantages and limitations of such distribution.

explain that distribution of a network can have implications for both data and responsibility

describe the facilities provided by electronic mail systems (including voice mail) such as composing, responding, filing, copying, attaching, sending on and multiple recipients, and explain situations in which they are appropriate

Issues of confidentiality

discuss the problem of maintaining confidentiality of data on an open network and how to address this problem

Encryption and authentication techniques

explain the need for encryption, authorisation and authentication techniques
(candidates will not be expected to know any specific method in detail)

1. Encryption link 1

2 Encryption link 2

3. Digital signature

4. Secure financial transactions