UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2014/2015
ORDINARY EXAMINATION FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT 1305 BBIT 103 COMPUTER NETWORKS
DATE: APRIL, 2015 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question ONE and any other TWO
QUESTION 1 (30 MARKS) – COMPULSORY
(a) Differentiate between the following terms:
(i) Computers and computing devices [2 Marks]
(ii) Data communication and Data transmission [2 Marks]
(iii) Client/Server and Server-based networks [2 Marks]
(iv) Routable and Non-routable protocols [2 Marks]
(b) Why is ‘social’ considered a driving force for computer networks? [3 Marks]
(c) Data networks can not tolerate noise. Explain. [4 Marks]
(d) Explain the role of protocols with regard to data communication. [2 Marks]
(e) A network topology is a physical layout of the network. Discuss the following
topologies, using appropriate diagrams: star, bus and ring. [6 Marks]
(f) Each media type has its advantages and disadvantages. Outline five (5) important
factors to consider when selecting media for computer networks. [5 Marks]
(g) (i) Given the IPv4 address: 150.5.0.0, which class does it belong to? Show your
workings. [1 Mark]
(ii) What is the default sub-net mask for that class? [1 Mark]
QUESTION TWO – (TOTAL MARKS: 20)
(a) Resource sharing and high reliability are some of the motivations for computer
networks. Briefly discuss them. [4 Marks]
(b) Mix and Match makes it easy for people and organizations to adopt networks.
Explain why this is so. [4 Marks]
(c) List and discuss any two (2) desired characteristics of a data communication
system. [4 Marks]
(d) Given the MAC address: 00:21:5C:31:64:31, identify the unique ID of the device
and convert it to binary. [4 Marks]
(e) (i) What is the difference between the IMEI number of a cell phone from its MAC
Address? [2 Marks]
(ii) When is it appropriate to use these numbers? [2 Marks]
QUESTION THREE – (TOTAL MARKS: 20)
(a) (i) Using DStv and Zuku as providers of digital signals, discuss baseband,
carrierband and broadband. [6 Marks]
(ii) In your opinion, which of the two is broadband? Why? [5 Marks]
(b) List four (4) functions that are performed by a Network Interface Card (NIC).
[4 Marks]
(c) (i) When configuring IP addresses for a computing device to connect to a network,
one can use either dynamic host configuration or static IP configuration. Briefly
explain how these two methods work. [4 Marks]
(ii) How do they differ? [1 Mark]
QUESTION FOUR (TOTAL MARK – 20)
(a) Describe how circuit-switching works. [3 Marks]
(b) Differentiate between Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and Wide Area
Networks (WANs). [4 Marks]
(c) The OSI and the TCP/IP are common network reference models.
a) Give three (3) common aspects between the two protocol stacks [3 Marks]
b) Describe any three (3) differences between the two protocol stacks [6 Marks]
(d) Briefly discuss any two (2) propagation modes used in wireless media.
[4 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE (TOTAL MARK – 20)
(a) Give the functions or applications of the following network troubleshooting
commands:
i). Hostname [1 Mark]
ii). Ipconfig /all [1 Mark]
iii).Ping [1 Mark]
iv).Tracert [1 Mark]
(b) List and briefly discuss the functions of any two (2) internetworking devices.
[6 Marks]
(c) A person wishes to start a family business whose main operation will be
typesetting and laying out publications. His finances allow him to only purchase
two computers, a DeskJet printer and a network ready photocopier. He has
approached you for advice on how he can set up a very basic network connecting
all these devices.
Required:
(i) Clearly explain how you would help him set up the network stating what you
would require (in terms of cables, any extras that might be required) to have the
network up and running. [7 Marks]
(ii) What solution can you recommend for connection to the internet for this small
company? [3 Marks]
