UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DIT402 FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
DATE: APRIL, 2018 TIME: 1 ½ HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question ONE AND any other TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE
a) Define the term networks [2 Marks]
b) List two uses of networks [2 Marks]
c) Give two disadvantages of computer networks [2 Marks]
d) Briefly describe the function and operation of the following devices and equipment as used in
networking
i. Router
ii. Multiplexer
iii. Repeater
iv. Terminator
v. Hub [10 Marks]
e) You have an opportunity to assess two different networks. Given the 10Base5 and 10BaseT
networks, compare and contrast these networks with regard to;
i. communication media used
ii. Topology employed
iii. Data rates
iv. Flexibility [4 Marks]
QUESTION TWO
a) Differentiate between server-based and peer-to-peer networks [3 Marks]
b) Give one advantage and one disadvantage peer-to-peer networks [2 Marks]
c) Explain these three functions of network interface cards (NIC)
i. digital to analogue conversion
ii. parallel to serial conversion
iii. buffering [3 Marks]
d) Explain how the token passing media access method facilitates movement of data in a local area
network [4 Marks]
e) Token passing media has a number of advantages. Explain two. [3 Marks]
f) Explain the difference between active and passive hubs [2 Marks]
g) Using suitable worked out examples, explain how subnetting is done [3 Marks]
QUESTION THREE
a) Give in full the following common computer network acronyms
i. CSMA/CD
ii. EMI
iii. UTP
iv. WAN
v. IR
vi. TCP/IP [6 Marks]
b) Discuss the following classes of network security threats
i. Environmental threats [3 Marks]
ii. Logical threats [3 Marks]
c) Optical fiber is a communication fiber with extremely high bandwidth.
i. Outline the construction and operation of the optical fiber [6 Marks]
ii. Name two disadvantages of the optical fiber [2 Marks]
QUESTION FOUR
a) Give two advantages of networks [2 Marks]
b) Give the role and operation of Bridges in Networks [3 Marks]
c) Give two strengths and one limitation of Bridges [3 Marks]
d) Give three factors you would consider when selecting communication media for a LAN
solution [3 Marks]
e) Outline the following three network security solutions [9 Marks]
i. Firewalls
ii. Password
iii. Encryption
QUESTION FIVE
a) Wireless media are prone to the following impairments. Define each
i. attenuation
ii. crosstalk
iii. scatter [3 Marks]
b) Outline the following network topologies. Use neat diagrams
i. STAR
ii. RING
iii. BUS [6 Marks]
c) Give two advantages of the star topology [2 Marks]
d) Using type of transmission media and size, differentiate between LANs and WANs [4 Marks]
e) Discuss the Link state routing algorithms [3 Marks]
f) Give the role of servers in computer networks. Name any examples [2 Marks]
