UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DIT402 FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER NETORKS
DATE: APRIL, 2018 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question 1 AND any other TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE (COMPULSORY)
a) Define the following acronyms and terms as used with computer networks [9 Marks]
(i) WiMAX
(ii) WiFi
(iii) OSI
(iv) CSMA
(v) UDP
(vi) TCP
(vii) modal dispersion
(viii) dumb terminal
b) Name the five layers in the Internet protocol stack. What are the principal responsibilities of
each of these layers? [7 Marks]
c) Explain TWO impairments that affect wireless media [4 Marks]
d) The TCP provides reliable end-to-end data transfer. Explain four tasks TCP accomplishes to
achieve this [4 Marks]
e) Give the difference between the physical (MAC) adress and the logical (IP) address [3 Marks]
f) Explain the multiplexing operation and name any method of multiplexing [3 Marks]
QUESTION TWO
a) Outline the three main threats that face data in networks [6 Marks]
b) Outline the meaning of the following network names [4 Marks]
(i) 100BaseT
(ii) 100BaseF
c) Describe the cause of congestion in computer networks [4 Marks]
d) Discuss any congestion control method [4 marks]
e) Describe any biometric security method used in securing networks [2 marks]
QUESTION THREE
a) Describe the following network devices and their function. Give an advantage of each
[15 Marks]
(i) Brouter
(ii) Gateway
(iii) NIC
(iv) Modem
(v) Firewall
b) Discuss any non-contention based media access method [5 Marks]
QUESTION FOUR
a) Define guided media [2 Marks]
b) Describe construction and principle of operation of the optical fiber [6 Marks]
c) Give and explain three advantages of wireless media over guided media [3 Marks]
d) Describe the distance vector routing algorithm. An example could be included [6 Marks]
e) Explain baseband signaling [3 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
a) Define the following terms used with computer networking [4 Marks]
(i) Encryption
(ii) Throughput
(iii) Data rate
(iv) Collision
b) Name and sketch four network topologies. Describe each [8 Marks]
c) Each layer in the OSI network model has a set of protocols. List any four layers, name a
protocol found in the layer and its function. [8 Marks]
