ICT259
Examination - July Semester 2023
Computer Networking
Monday, 20 November 2023 04:00 pm - 06:00 pm
Time allowed: 2 hours
INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS:
1. This examination contains 4 questions and comprises 9 printed pages (including
cover page).
2. You must answer 4 questions.
3. All answers must be written in the answer book.
4. This is Closed-book examination.
At the end of the examination.
Please ensure that you have written your examination number on each answer book
used.
Failure to do so will mean that your work cannot be identified.
If you have used more than one answer book, please tie them together with the string
provided.
THE UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT NOT TO MARK YOUR
SCRIPT IF YOU FAIL TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
ICT259 Copyright © 2023 Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Examination - July Semester 2023 Page 1 of 9
(Full marks: 100)
Question 1
The network topology of Pineapple Service Company is shown in Figure Q1. This
company is given the network address 15.0.0.0. All Local Area Networks (LANs) are
running Fast Ethernet and all local devices within each LAN are within 100 metres.
Figure Q1
Question 1a
Copy Figure Q1 to your answer booklet. Use the shape of a rectangle to represent PC,
Hub, and Switch, and the shape of an oval for Router. Label all the devices with names
either inside or beside the shaped objects. On the diagram you have drawn, indicate the
following:
(i) All the subnets by enclosing each subnet with a circle
(ii) The location of the default gateway(s) by a pointing arrow with labels
(4 marks)
Question 1b
Identify the type of UTP cable implementations to be used for links labelled A, B, C,
D, and E in Figure Q1
(5 marks)
Question 1c
Apply an IPv4 addressing scheme using Fixed Length Subnet Mask for the network
topology given in Figure Q1. Your scheme should indicate the following:
Question 1c(i)
Identify the number of subnets needed based on the topology given in Figure Q1.
(1 mark)
ICT259 Copyright © 2023 Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Examination - July Semester 2023 Page 2 of 9
Question 1c(ii)
If the network administrator decides to use a scheme that will cater to 1200 subnets
instead of the requirements illustrated in Figure Q1, determine the minimum number of
subnet bits needed for 1200 subnets. Show your workings.
(2 marks)
Question 1c(iii)
Thus, give the new subnet mask in dotted decimal and prefix length notations based on
your answer to Q1(c)(ii).
(2 marks)
Question 1c(iv)
Based on your answer to Q1(c)(ii), determine the subnet address for Subnet 140 and
Subnet 200. Show your workings.
(4 marks)
Question 1c(v)
Based on your answer to Q1(c)(ii), determine the range of host IP addresses for Subnet
140 and Subnet 200. Show your workings.
(4 marks)
Question 1d
If Subnet 140 is assigned to the LAN including the Server, assign appropriate IP
addresses to the following:
(i) Default gateway of the Server
(ii) The switch
(iii) The Server
(3 marks)
ICT259 Copyright © 2023 Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Examination - July Semester 2023 Page 3 of 9
Question 2
Figure Q2 shows the network topology of Tharman Enterprise.
Figure Q2
Question 2a
If Host A sends a data frame to Host B, identify the source IPv4, destination IPv4,
source MAC, and destination MAC addresses in the frame captured at point X.
(4 marks)
Question 2b
Discuss the use of network protocols in data transmission in this network by answering
the following:
Question 2b(i)
What is the metric characteristic used in Routing Information Protocol (RIP)?
Explain the restriction or limitation on this metric, and its implication. No credit will
be given if your answer is not supported by appropriate reasons.
(4 marks)
ICT259 Copyright © 2023 Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Examination - July Semester 2023 Page 4 of 9
Question 2b(ii)
If you can ping successfully from Host A to Host B using RIP, which route(s) would
the ping packet take? Indicate the route(s) by expressing it in this format:
E.g. RouterA → RouterB → RouterC → ….
Give the metric value associated with the chosen route(s). Explain your answer. No
credit will be given if your answer is not supported by appropriate reasons.
(4 marks)
Question 2c
Question 2c(i)
Assume only Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing protocol is configured on all
the routers in Figure Q2. The cost of each link is shown beside the link.
Obtain the Shortest Path First (SPF) table for RouterB by using the format given in
Table Q2(c)(i).
Table Q2(c)(i)
(4 marks)
Question 2c(ii)
Hence, draw the Shortest Path First (SPF) Tree for RouterB.
(2 marks)
Question 2d
Analyse the behaviour of network protocols for the following new scenario.
All the routers are now configured with both RIP and OSPF. If static path from RouterB
→ RouterA → RouterE is used as a backup path for dynamic routing from network
20.20.20.0 to network 50.50.50.0, list and explain the steps needed to achieve this, and
why these steps are needed. You do not need to provide configuration commands in
your explanation.
(7 marks)
ICT259 Copyright © 2023 Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Examination - July Semester 2023 Page 5 of 9
Question 3
Question 3a
Figure Q3(a) shows a switched network with two switches with the MAC addresses of
the PCs given below the PC. Initially, the MAC address tables of both switches are
empty.
Figure Q3(a)
Explain, in sequence, how Switch A and Switch B respond to each of the incoming
frames based on the following sequence of events. For each transmission, include any
entry made to the MAC address table of Switch A and Switch B. Complete and include
Table Q3(a) as part of your answer.
Assume all entries in the MAC address tables will not expire during the duration of the
sequence of events. Also, assume that there is sufficient memory space in the MAC
address tables for additional entries.
Question 3a(i)
PC 1 sends a frame to PC 3
(6 marks)
Question 3a(ii)
PC 3 replies to PC 1
(6 marks)
Question 3a(iii)
PC 4 sends a frame to PC 3.
(7 marks)
Question 3b
Explain THREE (3) major advantages of layering in networking.
(6 marks)
ICT259 Copyright © 2023 Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Examination - July Semester 2023 Page 6 of 9
Question 4
Question 4a
The network topology of Pineapple Service Company is shown in Figure Q4(a).
Figure Q4(a)
Question 4a(i)
Copy Figure Q4(a) to your answer booklet and circle all the collision domains.
(2 marks)
Question 4a(ii)
Copy Figure Q4(a) to your answer booklet and circle all the broadcast domains.
(2 marks)
Question 4a(iii)
Explain with reasons how to improve the performance of this network by reducing the
number of collisions without increasing the cost substantially.
(2 marks)
Question 4b
Figure Q4(b) shows a simple network of 5 switches with Spanning Tree Protocol
activated.
Figure Q4(b)
ICT259 Copyright © 2023 Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Examination - July Semester 2023 Page 7 of 9
The 5 switches have default bridge priority, and the MAC addresses of the switches are
as given below:
• Switch A: 03-22-CD-AF-25-45
• Switch B: 03-22-56-47-CB-19
• Switch C: 03-22-58-2D-F6-D6
• Switch D: 03-22-5C-D6-34-A4
• Switch E: 03-22-27-AF-3F-DF
(Revised IEEE Specifications: 1 Gbps => Cost = 4, 100 Mbps => Cost = 19)
Question 4b(i)
Based on the information given, which switch will be elected as the root bridge? Give
reason(s) to support your answer.
(2 marks)
Question 4b(ii)
Copy Figure Q4(b) to your answer booklet. If Switch A is elected as the root bridge,
identify and mark on the diagram all the root ports (R), designated ports (D), and non-
designated ports (ND).
(8 marks)
Question 4c
Figure Q4(c) shows a network comprising two Fast Ethernet switches, a Fast Ethernet
hub and PCs. Both switches have Virtual LAN (VLAN) functionality.
Figure Q4(c)
Table Q4(c) shows the VLAN membership set by the network administrator.
Table Q4(c)
ICT259 Copyright © 2023 Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Examination - July Semester 2023 Page 8 of 9
Question 4c(i)
If station C sends a broadcast message, list all the stations that will receive this
broadcast message.
(2 marks)
Question 4c(ii)
If station K sends a broadcast message, list all the stations that will receive this
broadcast message.
(2 marks)
Question 4c(iii)
If a new station, L is connected to switch 2 port 3, which VLAN does it belong to?
(2 marks)
Question 4c(iv)
Switches 1 and 2 are connected via a UTP cable. Give the type of UTP cable
implementation that is in use, the specification of this UTP cable, and any configuration
required on the switches for inter-switch communication.
(3 marks)
----- END OF PAPER -----
ICT259 Copyright © 2023 Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Examination - July Semester 2023 Page 9 of 9
