MURANG’A UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
(A constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology)
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2015/2016
YEAR ONE SEMESTER TWO EXAMINATION FOR THE CERTIFICATE IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SCI 1108: DATA COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTER NETWORKS
COURSE: DIT TIME: 2HRS
DAY/TIME: Wednesday 8:30Am -10:30Am DATE: 16th Dec 2015
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer question one and any other two questions
QUESTION ONE (30 MARKS)
a. Define the following terminologies as used in data communication and computer networks
i. computer network (2 marks)
ii. Network Server (2 marks)
iii. Data communication (2 marks)
b. Explain four components of a data communication system (4 marks)
c. Compare and contrast the following transmission modes
i. Serial and parallel transmission (3 marks)
ii. Synchronous and asynchronous transmission (2 marks)
d. Discuss three types of computer networks (9 marks)
e. Explain three advantages of Fiber-optic cable over twisted pair and coaxial cable.(6 marks)
QUESTION TWO (20 MARKS)
a) Explain three advantages of wireless communication. (6 marks)
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b) The OSI model is made of seven layers: physical, data link, network, transport, session,
presentation and application. Briefly explain at least one function performed by each layer
(7 marks)
c) Fiber optic cable propagation current technology supports two modes (multimode and single
mode) for propagating light along optical channels, each requiring fiber with different
physical characteristics. Multimode can be implemented in either step-index or graded-index.
Distinguish between
i. single mode and multimode
ii. step-index and graded-index (7 marks)
QUESTION THREE
(a) Distinguish between a peer-to-peer network and client server network (6 marks)
(b) Distinguish between physical topology and logical topology as used in computer
networking (4marks)
(c) Describe functions of the following networking components (10 marks)
i. Network Interface Card (NIC)
ii. Repeater
iii. Bridge
iv. Routers
v. Switch
Question Four (20 marks)
(a) Explain four functions of network operating systems (8 marks)
(b) With aid of diagrams describe the following modes of data communications (6 marks)
i. Simplex
ii. Half duplex
iii. Full duplex
(c) (i) Explain benefits of Internet to students (4 marks)
(ii) State two challenges of Internet (2 marks)
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