UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DIT402 FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER NETORKS
DATE: AUGUST, 2019 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question 1 AND any other TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE (COMPULSORY)
a) Define the following terms as used with networks [9 Marks]
(i) Demand priority
(ii) Token passing
(iii) CSMA
b) Outline five components that make up a computer network [10 Marks]
c) Compare and contrast the ring and star network topologies. Give their advantage and
disadvantage [6 Marks]
d) Describe the changes that a packet goes through as it travels across the 7 layers of the OSI
reference model in a network [5 Marks]
QUESTION TWO
a) Outline the three main security issues in computer networks [6 Marks]
b) Name and explain the bottom four layers in the OSI model. [8 Marks]
c) Define the term protocol. Name any two protocols used in the Transport layer [4 marks]
d) Name four tools and equipment needed in setting up a computer network [2 marks]
QUESTION THREE
a) Explain the following addressing schemes as used in computer networks. Give examples
[8 marks]
(i) the IP addressed
(ii) the MAC address
b) Describe the following network devices and their function. Give a disadvantage of each
[12 Marks]
(i) Router
(ii) Bridge
(iii) Hub
(iv) Repeater
QUESTION FOUR
a) List the main types of communication media, define each [4 marks]
b) Describe the optical fiber and its principle of operation. Use relevant diagrams [6 Marks]
c) Compare and contrast the optical fiber and wireless media, Give an advantage and disadvantage
of each [6 Marks]
d) Describe the distance vector routing algorithm. An example could be included [4 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
a) Name the two types of transmission lines and list two examples of each [4 Marks]
b) Discuss the setup of the 10 Base 2 LAN [5 Marks]
c) Explain TWO impairments that affect UTP cables [4 Marks}
d) Describe the ATM WAN [5 Marks]
e) Give two advantages of a client-server system using a LAN [2 Marks]
