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Microcomputer And Networked Systems Question Paper

Microcomputer And Networked Systems

Course:

Exam Year:2001

QUESTION 1
Describe the following pairs of terms, stating any similarities or differences between them.
a) CPU and System unit
b) Frequency Division Multiplexing and Time Division Multiplexing
c) Scanner and Dot Matrix Printer
d) CD-ROM and Floppy disk

QUESTION 2
You have been employed by a company that offers Wide Area Network services to businesses. A customer has contacted you and has asked you to explain the following technologies.
a) Packet Switched Network
b) Circuit Switched Network
c) Which of the two technologies in parts (a) and (b) of this question would be the most suitable for synchronizing two large databases that are held on computers in two different cities?
d) Describe two methods by which errors that occur during transmission may be detected and corrected.
e) Briefly describe two physical layer technologies that may be used to carry signals between two points in a Wide Area Network.
f) Which of your answers from part (e) of this question provides the highest bandwidth?

QUESTION 3
When a company makes the decision to computerize its day to day tasks, there are many items that need to be considered before the hardware is installed.
a) Apart from raising staff morale and raising company image, give FOUR reasons why a business may decide to computerize its operations.
b) Following a successful feasibility study, system investigation and design must begin. Describe the contents of the documentation that is produced by the design process.
c) Several activities must take place before a computer system is implemented. Explain the nee for the following activities.
i. File conversion
ii. Software development and testing
iii. Staff training and education
iv. Choosing the correct ‘going live’ plan

QUESTION 4
You have been employed by a computer company that is changing from a manual method of working to a computerised system. The staff needs to be re-trained and you have been asked to explain in plain terms the function of the following components of a network:
a) Multiport Repeater
b) Category 5 cabling
c) MODEM
d) Print Server
e) Router
QUESTION 5
a) What do you understand by the term database?
b) Write down FOUR attributes that might be found in the table named CUSTOMER that formed part of the database of a retail business.
c) Describe FOUR features that a user might find in a database application.
d) Describe FOUR features that a user might find in a spreadsheet application.
e) Describe FOUR features that a user might find in a word processor application.
f) When an authorized user wishes to gain access to a computer system, he or she must enter their user identification and some form of authentication. Briefly describe TWO different methods of authentication.

QUESTION 6
a) Describe FIVE benefits that a Local Area Network provides over non-networked stand-alone computers.
b) Write the full name of the Medium Access Control (MAC) technique that is used in Ethernet IEEE802.3 networks.
c) Describe the operation of the MAC technique in part (b) of this question.
d) Local area networks have different physical layouts or topologies. Name THREE popular LAN topologies and make a sketch of each topology to show the logical layout of the cabling.

QUESTION 7
Ergonomics is the study of the efficiency of workers and their working arrangements.
a) Briefly describe FOUR methods by which the health and safety of workers operating computer equipment may be maintained.
b) What type of software package would you recommend in an engineering company that wished to draw engine components using a computer?
c) Briefly describe the characteristics of files that have the following extensions:
i. .exe
ii. .html
iii. .bmp
d) Microsoft Windows TM offers a graphical user interface. Describe the role of Windows Explorer within Microsoft WindowsTM.
e) When using MSDOS, a facility is provided to redirect the output of a command. Write down the command that you would use to redirect the listing of files in a directory to a file named files.txt.
f) Name the MSDOS commands for:
i. Changing your working directory
ii. Removing a directory

QUESTION 8
a) There are four different methods by which files may be arranged for storage. Name these FOUR methods of file organization and state ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage of each method.
b) State the storage capacity in bytes of the following storage media:
i. Floppy disk
ii. CD ROM
c) Name the FIVE layers of the TCP/IP communication model.

Microcomputer And Networked Systems Question Paper

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