UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2013/2014
ORDINARY EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DIT 402 FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
DATE: AUGUST, 2014 TIME: 1½HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Any Three Questions.
QUESTION ONE
a) Define a network in relation to computer networks. (2 Marks)
b) Discuss the following components of computer network;
i. Terminal
ii. Workstation
iii. Server
iv. Network interface card
v. Network Operating System
(10 Marks)
c) Discuss FOUR types of unguided transmission media. (4 Marks)
d) Discuss the difference between two key reference models used in computer
networks (4 Marks)
QUESTION TWO
a) Communication is the activity or process of exchanging information in mutual
understanding form. Discuss various types of transmission media with emphasis
on guided and unguided types of transmission media. (10 Marks)
b) Define network topology and discuss THREE main network topologies citing
their characteristics, merits and demerits. (10 Marks)
QUESTION THREE
a) Differentiate between active hub, passive hub and intelligent hub as networking
devices. (6 Marks)
b) Discuss the following internetworking devices stating their strength and
limitations. (8 Marks)
i. Routers
ii. Brouters
iii. Gateways
iv. Switches
c) Company X has just made a decision to network their organization systems using
LAN type of network.Discuss FOUR main networking devices you would advise
company X to use (4 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR
a) Discuss the following types of networks stating their advantages and
disadvantages while pointing out their strengths and weaknesses;
i. Peer – to – Peer network
ii. Server – Based network
(8 Marks)
b) Discuss THREE main categories of networks pointing out their characteristics,
merits and demerits. (12 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE
a) The main objective of networking is to connect all the devices so that resources
and information can be shared efficiently. Discuss THREE switching techniques
used in networking. (9 Marks)
b) State TWO reasons why networks split data into small pieces before
transmission. (2 Marks)
c) State TWO merits and demerits of token passing in computer networks. (2 Marks)
d) Discuss OSI reference model explaining functions of each of its seven layers.
(7 Marks)
