Question 1: [25 Marks]
(a) A MTC Nigeria has called upon qualified engineers who will configure a network system for
monitoring equipment and coordination on their network infrastructure. Initially, a network
system with a central server was required; unfortunately, during project planning some
hardware specifications are not available within Nigeria and will take time to arrive from
overseas thereby settling for a network solution with no central server.
(i) identify the network architecture(s) to be used by MTC in this scenario.
(ii) How will you describe the initial and new architectures required by MTC Nigeria as a
trained network engineer? (Support your answer with appropriate diagram)
[10
Marks]
(i) The two network architectures are
1. Client-server architecture
2. Peer-to-peer architecture
(ii) The initial and newly proposed architecture are described as follow;
1. Client-server architecture
In this type of computer network, nodes may be servers or clients. Server nodes provide
resources like memory, processing power, or data to client nodes. Server nodes may also
manage client node behavior. Clients may communicate with each other, but they do not
share resources. For example, some computer devices in enterprise networks store data and
configuration settings. These devices are the servers in the network. Clients may access this
data by making a request to the server machine.
2. Peer-to-peer architecture
In Peer-to-Peer (P2P) architecture, connected computers have equal powers and privileges.
There is no central server for coordination. Each device in the computer network can act as
either client or server. Each peer may share some of its resources, like memory and
processing power, with the entire computer network. For example, some companies use P2P
architecture to host memory-consuming applications, such as 3-D graphic rendering, across
multiple digital devices.
(b) You just completed a network infrastructure design for NAMPOWER situated in Ondangwa,
Ngeria. One of the implementations involved routing protocols configuration and the
dynamic routing was deployed, this choice of protocol is being questioned by other
professionals. Give three (3) merits and two (3) demerits to justify this decision.
[1 x 6= 6 Marks]
Advantages of Dynamic Routing Protocols:
It is easier to configure even on larger networks.
It is more effective in selecting the best route in response to the changes in the
condition or topology.
It helps you to do load balancing between multiple links.
Disadvantages of Dynamic Routing Protocols:
It is more expensive in terms of CPU and bandwidth usage.
It is less secure as compared to default and static routing.
Updates are shared between routers, so it consumes bandwidth.
(c) DEFNY owns a fashion enterprise in LÜDERITZ. She recently partnered with Anna to establish
a branch in Swakopmund for market expansion. The enterprise has been advised to
integrate services from both locations through computer network connectivity. Beyond
Connectivity, explain at least five (5) additional capabilities/functions of modern computer
networks that DEFNY and Anna’s enterprise stands to enjoy.
[5
Marks]
In the 21st century, computer networks are capable of the following are more to Shikodhi
and Sophia:
1) Operate virtually: The underlying physical network infrastructure can be logically
partitioned to create multiple "overlay" networks. In an overlay computer network, the
nodes are virtually linked, and data can be transmitted between them through multiple
physical paths. For example, many enterprise networks are overlaid on the internet.
2) Integrate on a large scale: Modern networking services connect physically distributed
computer networks. These services can optimize network functions through automation and
monitoring to create one large-scale, high-performance network. Network services can be
scaled up or down based on demand.
3) Respond quickly to changing conditions: Many computer networks are software-defined.
Traffic can be routed and controlled centrally using a digital interface. These computer
networks support virtual traffic management.
4) Provide data security: All networking solutions come with in-built security features like
encryption and access control. Third-party solutions like antivirus software, firewalls, and
antimalware can be integrated to make the network more secure
5) Provides availability: Drive by global infrastructure required to deliver high availability
anywhere in the world.
6) Network performance: These are services that delivered high-speed performance with
minimal lag time
Other services include: Internet and cloud connectivity, Branch office and campus
connectivity, Private data center services, Secure cloud-connectivity services, Virtual
network services.
(d) You are designing a network topology for the newly developed student HOSTELS in
engineering campus. Your design is linearly placed in each of the blocks independent of each
other. You further designed in such a way that CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) is used
for collusion mitigations. Use a diagram to illustrate your network design for the hostel.
[4 Marks]
Question 2: [25 Marks]
(a) You recently secured a job as a network engineer, one of the clients are disturbed with
poor network
and system performance similar to that of a DoS attack. Provide three (3) indicators that
could confirm
if the client is a victim of DoS attack. [3
Marks]
Indicators of a DoS attack include:
(1) Atypically slow network performance such as long load times for files or websites
(2) The inability to load a particular website such as your web property
(3) A sudden loss of connectivity across devices on the same network
(b) Explain symmetric encryption algorithm in Computer Security. [5
Marks]
The secret key encryption algorithm is also known as symmetric encryption algorithm because
the same secret key is used in bidirectional communication. In Secret Key
Encryption/Decryption technique, the same key is used by both the parties, i.e., the sender and
receiver.
(c) Highlight five techniques being used by the emerging network technologies. [5
Marks]
1) Network Sampling and Measurement,
2) Congestion Control Algorithms,
3) Learning of Network Topology,
4) Modeling and Estimation of Network Dynamics, and
5) Network Robustness and Vulnerability.
(d) You just completed a network infrastructure design for MALCOM Foods situated in Outapi,
Namibia.
One of the implementations involved routing protocols configuration and the dynamic
routing was deployed, this choice of protocol is being questioned by other professionals. Give
two (2) merits and two (2) demerits to justify this decision.
[8 Marks]
Advantages of Dynamic Routing Protocols:
It is easier to configure even on larger networks.
It is more effective in selecting the best route in response to the changes in the
condition or topology.
It helps you to do load balancing between multiple links.
Disadvantages of Dynamic Routing Protocols:
It is more expensive in terms of CPU and bandwidth usage.
It is less secure as compared to default and static routing.
Updates are shared between routers, so it consumes bandwidth.
(e) You are currently working on Internet of Things (IoT) project during your internship. This
project is experiencing some security loopholes. To reduce these risks, you are required to
use a more correct and appropriate protocol to ensure finest security towards the data being
exchanged among the IoT connected devices in your project.
[4 Marks]
(i) Highlight at least two (2) main benefits of IoT communication protocols in this context.
The main benefits of IoT communication protocols are
(i) high quality, (ii) credibility, (iii) interoperability, (iv) innovation (v) flexibility (vi) global
scalability
(ii) List at least two (2) IoT communication protocols that you are likely to use within this
project.
WiFi, SigFox, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, NFC (Near Field Communication), Z wave, Zigbee, OPC-
UA, Cellular, MQTT etc.
Question 3: [25 Marks]
(a) As a young engineering graduate, you have been commissioned to be part of a team to
support customers in a big telecommunication company, this process requires to be trained on
a tool. List at least five (5) network monitoring and troubleshooting tools that you will be
looking forward to in carrying out your task.
[5 Marks]
1. Network Performance Monitor (NPM): a tool that combines a wide range of features,
scalability, and ease-of-use at an affordable price.
2. Nagios: comes in two different flavors: Nagios Core is open-source and free with limited
monitoring capabilities, and Nagios XI is the commercial network monitoring tool based on
Nagios Core but with added features
3. PRTG: small, cheap, and easy to use. It’s a good choice for organizations with little to no
experience in network monitoring.
4. ipMonitor: a built-in database and web server, making it lightweight and cost-effective.
It’s also fast and easy to use no matter your level of expertise.
5. Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM): This is built for Managed Service Providers
(MSP). Sometimes it’s not enough to just look for high quality network monitoring software.
You might have unique needs, and you’re looking for additional scope and features.
(b) Describe Public Key Encryption/Decryption technique with the aid of diagram only. [8
Marks]
(c) You are currently designing a network and your supervisor has directed that the design must
have a root node and must be connected in a hierarchical fashion.
(i) What type of topology will you use for this network? [2
Marks]
Tree topology
A tree topology is a type of structure in which all the computers are connected with
each other in hierarchical fashion.
The top-most node in tree topology is known as a root node, and all other nodes are the
descendants of the root node.
There is only one path exists between two nodes for the data transmission. Thus, it forms a
parent-child hierarchy.
(ii) Describe the topology in (a) with the aid of diagram [2
Marks]
(iii) List four (4) major pros why you think your supervisor is interested in this topology. [4
Marks]
Advantages of Tree topology
(1) Support for broadband transmission: Tree topology is mainly used to provide
broadband transmission, i.e., signals are sent over long distances without being
attenuated.
(2) Expandable: We can add the new device to the existing network. Therefore, we can
say that tree topology is easily expandable.
(3) Easily manageable: In tree topology, the whole network is divided into segments
known as star networks which can be easily managed and maintained.
(4) Error detection: Error detection and error correction are very easy in a tree topology.
(5) Limited failure: The breakdown in one station does not affect the entire network.
(6) Point-to-point wiring: It has point-to-point wiring for individual segments.
(iv) Highlight four (4) major challenges of this network topology [4
Marks]
Disadvantages of Tree topology
(1) Difficult troubleshooting: If any fault occurs in the node, then it becomes difficult to
troubleshoot the problem.
(2) High cost: Devices required for broadband transmission are very costly.
(3) Failure: A tree topology mainly relies on main bus cable and failure in main bus cable
will damage the overall network.
(4) Reconfiguration difficult: If new devices are added, then it becomes difficult to
reconfigure.
Question 4: [25 Marks]
(a) Using the IP addresses and subnet mask shown, write out the host address. [1x4=4
Marks]
a. [Link]
[Link] [Link]
b. [Link]
[Link] [Link]
c. [Link]
[Link] [Link]
d. [Link]
[Link] [Link]
(b) A new telecommunication company just arrived in a country in Eastern Africa to allow more
competition with existing telecommunication companies. One of the strong market
strategies is to ensure ability to engineer the traffic on their network and change the way
that packets are routed to the internet or other networks to avoid some of the transmission
delay experienced by customers from existing service providers. Based on your knowledge of
computer network;
(i) what is the term used to represent the strength of the company. [2
Marks]
Quality of Service (QoS)
(ii) List four (4) advantages of this term in (a) above [4
Marks]
Advantages of QoS
Major advantages of deploying QoS include:
[Link] application prioritization: QoS guarantees that businesses’ most mission-critical
applications will always have priority and the necessary resources to achieve high
performance.
[Link] resource management: QoS enables administrators to better manage the
organization’s internet resources.
[Link] user experience: The end goal of QoS is to guarantee the high performance of
critical applications, which boils down to delivering optimal user experience.
[Link]-to-point traffic management: Managing a network is vital however traffic is
delivered, be it end to end, node to node, or point to point. The latter enables organizations
to deliver customer packets in order from one point to the next over the internet without
suffering any packet loss.
[Link] loss prevention: Packet loss can occur when packets of data are dropped in transit
between networks. This can often be caused by a failure or inefficiency, network congestion,
a faulty router, loose connection, or poor signal. QoS avoids the potential of packet loss by
prioritizing bandwidth of high-performance applications.
[Link] reduction: Latency is the time it takes for a network request to go from the sender
to the receiver and for the receiver to process it. QoS enables organizations to reduce
latency, or speed up the process of a network request, by prioritizing their critical
application.
(c) To ensure efficient and painless network troubleshooting as possible, it’s also important to
have some best practices in place. Explain five (5) of these best practices.
[15 Marks]
(1)Collect information: To best support your end users, you first need to make sure you’re
clear on what the problem is. Collect enough information from both the people who are
experiencing network issues and the network itself, so you can replicate or diagnose the
problem. Take care not to mistake symptoms for the root cause, as what initially looks
like the problem could be part of a larger issue.
(2)Customize logs: Make sure your event and security logs are customized to provide you
with information to support your troubleshooting efforts. Each log should have a clear
description of which items or events are being logged, the date and time, and
information on the source of the log (MAC or IP address).
(3)Check access and security: Ensure no access or security issues have come up by checking
all access permissions are as they should be. Check all firewalls, antivirus software, and
malware software to ensure they’re working correctly, and no security issues are
affecting your users’ ability to work.
(4)Follow an escalation framework: There’s nothing worse than going to the IT help desk
and being directed to another person, who then directs you to another person, who
directs you to yet another. Have a clear escalation framework of who is responsible for
which issues, including the final person in the chain who can be approached for
resolution.
(5)Use monitoring tools: Troubleshooting can be done manually but can become time-
consuming if you go through each step. it’s best to use monitoring tools.