UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY /BACHELOR OF BUSINESS
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT 1305/BBIT 103: COMPUTER NETWORKS/ COMPUTER
NETWORKS AND MANAGEMENT
FULL TIME/PART TIME/DISTANCE LEARNING
DATE: DECEMBER, 2018 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE [30 MARKS]
a. State any two functions and virtues of a router. [2 Marks]
b. (i) At which layers of the OSI Model do Wide Area Networks operate in?
[2 Marks]
(ii) Discuss in detail the functions of the transport layer, highlighting how TCP and
UDP protocols contribute to these functions. [5 Marks]
c. Given the IP address 167.34.32.45, identify the following:
(i) IP class (show your working) [3 Mark]
(ii) Network address [1 Mark]
(iii)Subnet mask [1 Mark]
(iv) Host address [1 Mark]
d. Explain the steps taken when a host on an Ethernet LAN has information to send.
[6 Marks]
e. Connection to the Internet can be broken down into the physical connection, the logical
connection, and applications. Discuss how these assist in connecting individual
computers to the Internet [6 Marks]
f. Explain briefly the concept of intranets and extranets [4 Marks]
QUESTION TWO [20 MARKS]
a) Communications facilities in the world are systematically being upgraded from analog to
digital facilities. Discuss any three reasons behind this very significant movement.
[6 Marks]
b) Name the 568A and 568B wiring patterns [8 Marks]
c) State any four attributes of a good network [4 Marks]
d) With the aid of a relevant diagram, describe the construction of a fibre optic cable.
[4 Marks]
QUESTION THREE [20 MARKS]
a. Differentiate between
(i) Logical and Physical network topologies [2 Marks]
(ii) Cut-through switching and store-and-forward switching [2 Marks]
(iii) Network segmentation and data segmentation. [2 Marks]
b. The TCP/IP model describes the functionality of the protocols that make up the TCP/IP
protocol suite. These protocols, which are implemented on both the sending and receiving
hosts, interact to provide end-to-end delivery of applications over a network. Explain the
steps involved in a complete communication process. [7 Marks]
c. Explain the functions of each of the seven layers of the OSI Reference Model
[7 Marks]
QUESTION FOUR [20 MARKS]
a) Answer the following questions in relation to OSI and TCP/IP reference models:
(i) You download a file from an FTP site on the Internet. What is the highest
layer in the OSI model used in this FTP operation? [1 Mark]
(ii) Which layer of the OSI reference model is responsible for ensuring reliable
end-to-end delivery of data? [1 Mark]
(iii) At which OSI layer is a logical path created between two host systems
on a LAN? [1 Mark]
(iv) When files are transferred between a host and an FTP server, the data is divided
into smaller pieces for transmission. As these pieces arrive at the destination host,
they must be reassembled to reconstruct the original file. What provides for the
reassembly of these pieces into the correct order? [1 Mark]
b) You work as a network administrator at TestKing.com. Your boss, Mrs. Tess King, is
interested in the OSI layers. Match the terms with the appropriate layer below. Some
options are not used. [6 Marks]
c) Discuss the following concepts as used in computer networks:
(i) Fault Tolerance [2 Marks]
(ii) Scalability [2 Marks]
d) State any three (3) major reasons why computers are networked. [3 Marks]
e) The MAC address for your PC NIC is: F6-2C-B7-D3-A6-97. What is the address of the
OUI portion of this NIC card, expressed as a binary number? [3 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE [20 MARKS]
(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) networking and 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]
