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Principles Of Data Communications Question Paper
Principles Of Data Communications
Course:Bachelor Of Science In Information Technology
Institution: Kca University question papers
Exam Year:2010
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2010/2011
SECOND YEAR EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT 2208: PRINCIPLES OF DATA COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: DECEMBER 2010 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer question ONE and any other TWO questions
QUESTION ONE (30 MARKS)
a) Differentiate between the following terms:
i) Data rate and Baud rate [2 Marks]
ii) Analog and Digital signal [2 Marks]
iii) Asynchronous and Synchronous transmission [2 Marks]
iv) Data communication and Data transmission [2 Marks]
b) Briefly discuss the desired characteristics of a data communication system. [6 Marks]
c) With the connections between the System Unit and the mouse, keyboard, printer, monitor, joystick
and other periphery devices as examples, discuss the following:
i) Simplex [3 Marks]
ii) Half-duplex [3 Marks]
iii) Full duplex [3 Marks]
d) Briefly discuss the factors that affect the successful interpretation of signals. [6 Marks]
e) Define the term “Parallel transmission”. [1 Mark]
QUESTION TWO (20 MARKS)
a) Define the following terms: [5 Marks]
2
i) Signal
ii) Quantization
iii) Non-periodic wave
iv) Phase
v) Attenuation
b) Differentiate between “Polar” and “Bipolar” as they relate to encoding. [4 Marks]
c) Given the bit stream below, encode it using:
i) Non-Return to Zero-Inverted [3 Marks]
ii) Manchester [3 Marks]
iii) Differential Machester [3 Marks]
1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
d) Describe briefly the concept of a message-passing system. [2 Marks]
QUESTION THREE (20 MARKS)
a) In what way(s) do “multi-mode” and “single-mode” fibre differ? [4 Marks]
b) Why are there two (2) separate frequencies used for uplink and downlink transmission in case of
satellite communication? [3 Marks]
c) Why is serial transmission commonly used in data communication? [3 Marks]
d) List the functions performed by the physical layer of the 802.3 standard. [4 Marks]
e) Identify and discuss the three (3) steps involved in data communication through circuit switching.
[3 Marks]
f) (i) Why is routing important in packet-switched networks? [2 Marks]
(ii) What is a subnet mask? [1 Mark]
QUESTION FOUR (20 MARKS)
a) Differentiate between single-bit error and burst error. [2 Marks]
b) Distinguish between backward error correction and forward error correction. [4 Marks]
c) Define Congestion as it relates to data communication. [2 Marks]
d) Discuss any three (3) causes of congestion. [3 Marks]
e) Discuss the differences between a LAN switch and an ATM switch. [4 Marks]
f) Discuss briefly the factors that should be considered when selecting a WAN service.
[5 Marks]
3
QUESTION FIVE (20MARKS)
KCA University has campuses in Kisumu, Nairobi CBD and Main campus at Ruaraka. Each campus
runs an independent LAN from other campuses. In the recent past, the University has experienced a lot
of growth in these campuses and a need to review the current set up of the networks has arisen.
Kisumu campus has an average of 400 computers, EcoBank Towers has approximately 500 computers
and main campus has 800 computers besides 1200 laptops. As an expert in Data and Computer
Networks you are:
Required to:
i) What type of network, in terms of topology, do you think the University should set up to
cover the entire university including its campuses? [1 Mark]
ii) Describe the steps you would follow to set up the network. [7 Marks]
iii) List and describe the networking and internetworking equipment you will deploy in
setting up the network. [4 Marks]
iv) Explain any two (2) main tasks of network administration. [2 Mark]
v) Discuss how you would implement wireless technologies to assist in future expansions of
the network. [6 Marks]
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