UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2018/2019
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY /BACHELOR OF BUSINESS
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT1305 BBIT103 COMPUTER NETWORKS/ COMPUTER NETWORKS
AND MANAGEMENT
FULL TIME/PART TIME/DISTANCE LEARNING
DATE: AUGUST, 2019 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE [30 MARKS]
a) State:
(i) Two advantages of the TCP/IP Model 2 Marks
(ii) Two disadvantages of the TCP/IP Model 2 Marks
(iii) Two features of computer networks 2 Marks
(iv) Two features of OSI Model 2 Marks
b) Compare and contrast TCP and UDP 4 Marks
c) The role of the network is transforming to enable the connections between people,
devices, and information. In this regard, discuss the following:
(i) Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) 2 Marks
(ii) Online collaboration. 2 Marks
(iii) Video communications 2 Marks
(iv) Cloud computing 2 Marks
d) Discuss the following in relation to switches:
(i) Port security 2 Marks
(ii) Power over Ethernet (PoE) 2 Marks
(iii) Link aggregation 2 Marks
e) State any four reasons that would necessitate choosing wireless LANs over traditional
wired LANs. 4 Marks
QUESTION TWO [20 MARKS]
a) With the aid of examples differentiate between end-user devices and network devices.
5 Marks
b) Explain any four routing metrics used by routing protocols to determine the best path for
a packet. 4 Marks
c) Discuss the concepts of:
(i) Asymmetric switching 2 Marks
(ii) Symmetric switching 2 Marks
d) Each media type has its advantages and disadvantages. Outline five important factors to
consider when selecting media for computer networks. 5 Marks
e) Explain briefly the concept of Storage Area Networks (SANs). 2 Marks
QUESTION THREE [20 MARKS]
a) Discuss the preventive maintenance procedures for networks. 6 Marks
b) Explain the following switch operations:
(i) Learning 2 Marks
(ii) Flooding 2 Marks
(iii) Selective forwarding 2 Marks
(iv) Aging 2Marks
c) Explain any three major factors to consider in selecting a switch to use in a
LAN. 6 Marks
QUESTION FOUR [20 MARKS]
a) Discuss the benefits that have necessitated the development of the teleworker solution.
6 Marks
b) (i) What does a switch do if a frame arrives and the destination MAC address is not
in its MAC address table? 1 Mark
(ii) What does a switch do with a broadcast frame? 1 Mark
(iii) You replace a hub with a layer 2 switch. How does this affect collision domains?
1 Mark
(iv) You replace a hub with a layer 2 switch. How does this affect broadcast domains?
1 Mark
(v) Why do routers typically add more latency than switches? 2 Marks
c) Discuss the concept of connection-oriented and connectionless services as applied in data
communications. 6 Marks
d) Differentiate between attenuation and noise as used in Computer networks.2 Marks
QUESTION FIVE [20 MARKS]
Due to its recent expansion caused by a higher intake of students, a certain college in Nairobi has
been forced to rent and occupy four (4) floors of a 10-storey building. The college intends to use
the lower two floors for administration and lecturers’ offices and the third floor for computer labs
while the fourth one dedicated for lecture rooms. The college also intends to set up a LAN, which
is adequately secure and easy to manage. As the Network Administrator/Engineer, you are:
Required:
(i). What type of network will you set up for the college? 1 Mark
(ii). You are required to separate the different departments of the organization and control
flow of data between the departments. Explain how this will be achieved.
7 Marks
(iii). What are the security threats that are likely to occur? Provide a possible solution for
each threat. Note: Provide only three (3) threats. 6 Mark
(iv). Briefly describe a solution that you will provide for the college for Internet
connectivity. 4 Marks
(v). Differentiate between “User Authentication” and “User Authorisation”.
2 Marks
