Spec & Goals 3 min
AQA Spec 3.5.1.1 — Network hardware: NIC, switch, router, WAP and transmission media
By the end of this lesson you can:
- State the role of a NIC, switch, router and wireless access point.
- Describe the main transmission media (copper, fibre, radio).
- Identify the right hardware for a job in a scenario.
Warm-Up 5 min
In Lesson 3 the star topology had a "switch" in the middle. That is one of several pieces of network hardware. Today we name each and what it does.
Quick starter
Your home "router" from the internet provider actually does several jobs at once. Name two different things it lets you do.
Reveal the idea
It connects your home network to the internet (router), shares Wi-Fi (a wireless access point), and links your wired devices (a switch). Home boxes combine several devices — but the exam wants each one's job separately.
Key Concept — the four devices 14 min
| Hardware | Role |
|---|---|
| NIC (Network Interface Card / Controller) | The component inside a device that lets it connect to a network; it holds the unique MAC address. |
| Switch | Connects devices on the same LAN and sends data only to the device it is addressed to (using MAC addresses). |
| Router | Connects different networks together (e.g. your LAN to the internet) and forwards data between them using IP addresses. |
| WAP (Wireless Access Point) | Lets wireless devices join a wired network by sending and receiving radio (Wi-Fi) signals. |
Transmission media — how the signal travels
| Medium | Carries | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copper cable (e.g. twisted-pair Ethernet) | Electrical signals | Cheap; fine over short distances; can suffer interference. |
| Fibre-optic cable | Pulses of light | Very fast, long distance, no electrical interference; more expensive. |
| Radio waves (Wi-Fi / Bluetooth) | Wireless signals through the air | Convenient and mobile; shorter range, interference, less secure. |
Worked Example — building a small office network 12 min
Problem: A small design studio in KL has six wired PCs, some staff laptops on Wi-Fi, and an internet connection. List the hardware needed and the job each does.
- NIC in every PC and laptop — so each can connect at all.
- Switch — connects the six wired PCs on the office LAN.
- WAP — lets the laptops join over Wi-Fi.
- Router — connects the office LAN to the internet.
Try It Yourself 12 min
Goal: State what each abbreviation stands for: NIC, WAP.
Goal: Describe the difference between a switch and a router.
Hint: same network vs different networks; MAC vs IP.
Goal: A library wants visitors to use Wi-Fi but keep staff PCs on fast cabling. List the hardware needed and the role of each.
📝 Exam Practice 10 min
State the purpose of a NIC.
Mark scheme
- Allows a device to connect to a network (accept: provides/holds the MAC address) (1).
Describe the difference between a switch and a router.
Mark scheme
- A switch connects devices on the same network / LAN, sending data to the correct device by MAC address (1).
- A router connects different networks together (e.g. a LAN to the internet) and forwards data by IP address (1).
A school wants tablets to connect to its wired network. Explain what hardware is needed and why.
Mark scheme
- A wireless access point (WAP) (1).
- Because it sends/receives radio waves so wireless tablets can join the wired network (1).
Recap & Key Terms 3 min
A NIC lets a device join a network and holds its MAC address. A switch links devices on one LAN; a router links different networks (your LAN to the internet); a WAP adds wireless access. Signals travel over copper, fibre or radio waves.
- NIC
- Network Interface Card — connects a device to a network and provides its MAC address.
- Switch
- Connects devices on one LAN and sends data only to the addressed device (by MAC address).
- Router
- Connects different networks and forwards data between them using IP addresses.
- WAP
- Wireless Access Point — lets wireless devices join a wired network using radio waves.
Homework 1 min
Task (≤ 15 min): Draw and label the hardware needed to connect a home with three wired PCs, two Wi-Fi phones and an internet connection. Write one sentence on the role of each device.
Model answer
Each PC and phone needs a NIC. A switch connects the three wired PCs. A WAP lets the two phones join over Wi-Fi (often built into the home router). A router connects the home network to the internet.
Award marks for: switch role (1); router role (1); WAP role (1); NIC mentioned (1).