MASENO UNIVERSITY

COURSE: BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (ARTS WITH IT)

NAME: LUKANIA BOAZ
ADMISSION NO: EAR/03028/021
UNIT CODE: UCI 102
UNIT TITLE: COMPUTER COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
SESSION: FIRST YEAR, SECOND SEMESTER
DATE OF SUBMISSION: FEBRUARY, 2022

Assignment:
Read chapter 1 and 2 in the above (CS-163), attempt all the questions after each of the two chapters.

Exercise 1 (Chapter 1)
List and describe the basic components of a network with their function.

The most common components of a network include:

a. Terminal
A computer terminal is an electronic or electromechanical hardware device that is used for entering data
into, and displaying data from, a computer or a computing system. Terminals have been designed primarily
to input and display information in some form or another. They can generally be categorized into three
simple groups.
(i.) Dumb Terminals
Dumb terminals can interpret a limited number of control codes but do not have the ability to
process special escape sequences that perform functions such as clearing a line, clearing the
screen, or controlling cursor position. These have limited functions and are driven with
information from a host computer. Normally, they consist of a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display
screen with a full alphanumeric keyboard and can be connected directly to a computer system
(host computer) through some sort of communications interface. In most cases, data is
transmitted directly through the communication interface as it is typed on the keyboard.
(ii.) Intelligent Terminals
Intelligent terminals are equipped with a processor that can support an instruction set to direct
the basic functions of the terminal. Like any other type of computer that has a processor, these
terminals normally have additional memory and storage devices such as disc drives. Therefore,
they are capable of stand-alone processing and can support a variety of software applications
which, in turn, enable them to support a variety of communications interfaces through the use
of emulation program. This is also means that intelligent terminals are able to use addresses and
sophisticated access method to transmit and receive messages.
(iii.) Graphic Terminals
A graphical terminal can display images as well as text. These are display devices that provide a
means not only for displaying data in graphical form, but also for manipulating and modifying
the data presented. The modern term for graphical terminal is "thin client". Generally, graphic
terminal keyboards have a number of specific or programmable function keys in addition to the
full alphanumeric keys of a normal keyboard and the resolution of the display screen is normally
a lot higher to enable more detailed displays.

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b. Workstation
Workstations are computers specifically designed and configured to meet power users’ technical
computing requirements, including high performance, data integrity, reliability, and manageability. A
workstation is a client. More specifically, it is a standalone computer equipped with its own processor
and system and application software. It can perform its functions independent of the network. To
expand its resources and knowledge, it may get connected to a network.

c. Server
A network server is a computer designed to act as central repository and help in providing various resources
like hardware access, disk space, printer access, etc. to other computers in the network. A server is a
computer that shares its resources across the network, and clients are computers that access shared
resources. Different servers provide different services. Servers are dedicated, meaning they are created to
perform specific functions and cannot change.
The most common types of servers include:
(i.) File Server
A file server is a server that stores and distributes files within a network. A file server allows users to
share files and folders, storage space to hold files and folders, or both, over a network . It several
LAN users need access to an application such as word processing, only one copy of the application
software needs to reside on a file server. These are meant to protect, store, and distribute data to
designated clients.
(ii.) Database server
These servers maintain and shares any form of database over a network. A database is an organized
collection of data with predefined properties that may be displayed in a table. Database servers are
used to store and manage databases that are stored on the server and to provide data access for
authorized users. This type of server keeps the data in a central location that can be regularly backed
up. It also allows users and applications to centrally access the data across the network. Clients of
these servers are spreadsheets, accounting software, asset management software or virtually any
computer program that consumes well-organized data, especially in large volumes. 
(iii.) Mail Server
These servers send and stores emails within a network. Many organizations and companies have
private mail servers, such that messages exchanged within the company are privacy-protected.
(iv.) Print servers
They Allows anyone on the network to have access to a printing service. These servers share one or
more printers over a network which eliminates the difficulty of physical access. Their clients are
computers in need of printing something.
(v.) Web server
These servers hosts web pages. A web server is responsible for making the World Wide Web
possible. Each website has one or more web servers. There clients are computers with a web
browser.
(vi.) Application server
These servers hosts web apps (computer programs that run inside a web browser) allowing users in
the network to run and use them preventing the installation a copy on their own computers. These
servers need not be part of the World Wide Web. Their clients are computers with a web browser.
(vii.) Disk Server
It is server with large storage. A portion of storage is given to each user to store their files and data.

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d. Network Interface Card
Network Interface Card (NIC) is a hardware unit, which is inbuilt inside a computer provided with a slot, it
connects the computer to a computer network for communication with other devices via buses. The
Network Interface Card (NIC) is a hardware component, where network controllers are integrated on to a
circuit board that uses standard OSI model of 7 layers to communicate and it acts like a trans-receiver,
where it can transmit and receive at the same time while communicating with other devices. Synonyms for
network interface card include, network adapter, Local Area Network (LAN) card or physical network
interface card, Ethernet controller or Ethernet adapter, network controller, and connection card. Network
interface card supports almost all standard buses for data transfer between the computers or devices.

e. Communication Media
Communication media refers to the means of delivering and receiving data or information. In a network,
these means are transmission and storage tools or channels for data storage and transmission. In a wired
network, data is transmitted over a physical medium. There are three types of physical cables used in a
wired network i.e. twisted pair, coaxial cable and fibre optic. A wireless network uses radio waves as the sole
medium for transmitting and receiving data. There are no wires involved. An example is the wireless router.
Radio waves are electromagnetic waves which are transverse in nature and they have the longest
wavelength on the electromagnetic spectrum.

f. Network Operating System

Network Operating Systems (NOS) coordinate the activities of multiple computers across a network. The
network operating system acts as a director to keep the network running smoothly.

g. Peripheral Devices

h. List the functions of NIC.

i. Distinguish between dedicated and non-dedicated server.

j. List and describe the advantages and disadvantages of networking.

k. List different types of server and their purpose.

Exercise 1 (Chapter 2)
(2.5 Review Questions)
Choose the most appropriate answer:

1. The …………physical path over which a message travels

a) Protocol
b) Medium
c) Signals
d) All of above

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2. Transmission media are usually categorized as …

a) Fixed or unfixed
b) Guided or unguided
c) Determinate or indeterminate
d) Metallic or non-metallic

3. …….. Cable consists of inner copper core and a second conducting outer sheath.

a) Twisted pair
b) Coaxial cable
c) Fiber optic
d) Shielded twisted pair
4. In fiber optic cable, the signal source is …wave.

a) Light
b) Radio
c) infrared
d) Electricity

5. Smoke signal are an example of communication through ……….

a) A guided medium
b) An unguided medium
c) A refractive medium
d) Bounded medium
6. If a satellite is in geosynchronous orbit, it completes one orbit in …

a) One hour
b) 24 hours
c) One month
d) One year

7. If a satellite is in geosynchronous orbit, its distance from the sending station …

a) Is constant
b) Varies according to the time of day
c) Varies according to the radius of the orbit
d) None of above

8. Optical fibers, unlike wire media, are highly resistant to …

a) High Frequency Transmission

b) Low Frequency Transmission
c) Electromagnetic Interference
d) Refraction

Answer the following questions:

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1. Explain what is attenuation.

2. What do you understand by guided and unguided communication media? List three example of each.

3. Twisted pair cables are twisted in a helical form, what purpose does it serve Explain with the aid of
diagram.

4. Give two advantages and disadvantages of using twisted pair over coaxial cable.

5. Give two advantages and disadvantages of using coaxial cable over twisted pair.

6. Briefly explain two types of coaxial cable.

7. Describe the components of a fiber optic cable.

8. Give three advantages and disadvantages of using fiber optic cable over metallic cable.

9. Compare twisted pair, coaxial cable, and fiber optic cable based on following factor:

Cost

 Installation

 Bandwidth capacity

 Attenuation
 EMI

10. What is line of sight transmission?

11. Describe the components of a satellite communication.

12. With the aid of diagram explain how

13. Compare microwave, satellite, and infrared transmission system, based on following factor:

 Cost

 Installation

 Bandwidth capacity

 Attenuation

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