Unit 7 Course guide

How this unit is assessed

Content area 7 (Digital environments) is part of the T Level Digital core. It is assessed by a written exam (about 2.5 hours) alongside other core content areas, not by coursework. Your teacher will confirm the paper, date and format.

Short-answer questions check that you know and can explain the content (state, identify, describe, explain).
Scenario questions ask you to apply it to a business or client, e.g. recommend hardware, a network type or a cloud model and justify it.
Extended questions ask you to discuss or evaluate: weigh up benefits and drawbacks and reach a supported conclusion.

Use the Exam practice page to rehearse all three, and the Quizzes for quick checks.

My specification checklist

For each point, choose how you feel. Your choices save on this device. Revisit the red and amber points first.

Spec	You need to understand…	How confident am I?
7.1 Hardware
7.1.1 lesson H1	Understand the features and use of different types of physical computers personal computers mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) servers embedded devices
7.1.2 lesson H2	Understand the features and use of different types of hardware devices input devices output devices processors — number of cores, clock speed, cache size, mobile processors Main memory — RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-only Memory) secondary storage: magnetic, solid state, optical motherboard graphics processing units network interface devices: PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect), USB (Universal Serial Bus) cooling — air cooling, liquid cooling sensors
7.2 Software
7.2.1 lesson SW1	Understand the features and use of operating systems batch: non-interactive applications, high volume, scheduling multitasking: concurrent execution of multiple tasks, time-slicing, interrupts real-time operating system: monitoring and control applications, transaction processing network operating system: resource sharing, user management, communication mobile operating system: smartphones and tablets, lower processing requirements, increased battery life
7.2.2 lesson SW2	Understand the features and use of common utilities file management defragmenters file compression package managers protection software backup software
7.2.3 lesson SW3	Understand the features and use of common code development tools integrated development environments: code editing tools, debugging tools, screen design tools compilers interpreters
7.2.4 lesson SW4	Understand the features and use of common application software word processors spreadsheets databases email project management software
7.3 Networks
7.3.1 lesson N1	Understand the benefits and drawbacks of connecting devices to form networks.
7.3.2 lesson N1	Understand the features of different types of networks number of users connection media coverage media network types: personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN)
7.3.3 lesson N2	Understand the features, characteristics, benefits and drawbacks of connectivity methods wired: copper/ethernet, fibre-optic wireless: wireless access points
7.3.4 lesson N3	Understand the features, benefits and drawbacks of the common network topologies star mesh tree logical versus physical
7.3.5 lesson N3	Understand the features, benefits and drawbacks of different network models client-server thin client peer-to-peer
7.3.6 lesson N4	Understand the role of common components of a network server client router network switch internet connection/internet backbone
7.3.7 lesson N5	Understand the seven-layer OSI (open systems interconnection) model, including the function and related protocols of each layer application layer presentation layer session layer transport layer network layer data link layer physical layer
7.3.8 lesson N5	Understand the four-layer TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/ internet protocol) model, including the function and related protocols of each layer application layer transport layer internet layer network layer
7.3.9 lesson N6	Understand the role of data packets in transmitting over a network, including contents and structure of a data packet role of the components of a data packet packet switching: causes of packet loss error handling: cyclic redundancy check (CRC)
7.3.10 lesson N7	Understand the role of common network protocols web protocols: HTTP, HTTPS mail protocols: SMTP, POP, IMAP routing protocols: RIP, OSPF application protocols: FTP, SFTP, DHCP, DNS
7.3.11 lesson N8	Understand the concepts of bandwidth and latency, and their effect on the performance of networks and connected systems.
7.4 Virtual environments
7.4.1 lesson V1	Understand the role and characteristics of common virtual environment components virtual machines: clients (virtual PC, virtual switch, virtual router), servers hypervisors: type 1, type 2
7.4.2 lesson V1	Understand the key features of virtual environments increased security managed execution sharing aggregation emulation isolation portability
7.4.3 lesson V1	Understand the benefits of the use of virtual environments cost effectiveness for large environments easy management resilience potentially lower carbon footprint improved disaster recovery options better testing environments provision of education and training options
7.4.4 lesson V1	Understand the drawbacks of the use of virtual environments extra hardware load slower execution time potential for false representation of performance
7.5 Cloud environments
7.5.1 lesson C1	Understand different types of cloud private public
7.5.2 lesson C1	Understand the benefits of the use of cloud portability elasticity fewer storage limitations cost effectiveness
7.5.3 lesson C1	Understand common cloud delivery models, their advantages and disadvantages, and the way in which responsibility and ownership of resources are distributed between the client and the cloud provider Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): client manages application software, system software (middleware and operating system), runtime, data and user accounts, cloud provider manages virtualisation and hardware (servers, network and storage) Platform as a Service (PaaS): client manages application software, data and user accounts, cloud provider manages virtualisation, hardware (servers, network and storage) and systems software (middleware and operating system) and runtime Software as a Service (SaaS): client manages user accounts and data, cloud provider manages virtualisation, hardware (servers, network and storage) systems software (middleware and operating system), runtime and application software
7.6 Resilient digital environments
7.6.1 lesson R1	Understand the benefits of resilient environments and the impact on organisations and clients increased security: data security (storage and transfer), reduced vulnerabilities increased reputation: protect brand/image, retain customer confidence reduction in downtime
7.6.2 lesson R1	Understand methods used to improve the resilience of digital environments software updates/upgrades: planned updates/upgrades, patches in response to new vulnerabilities hardware replacement: rolling replacement plans, secure disposal data and system redundancy device hardening: removal of unneeded ports, applications, permissions and access backup systems and recovery procedures: onsite, remote/offsite, cloud hot, cold and warm sites standard operating procedures: effective staff training, induction, new digital systems, new or updated policies