Observation

The expected answers were:

(a) Reasons the school management intends to connect the computers together

-cost reduction
-high reliability
                -greater flexibility
                -it is useful for implementing voice over IP
                -information sharing/communication
                -centralized administration
                -remote login
                -software sharing
                - hardware sharing
                -improved security 
                -ease access to Internet

          (b) Network devices
              -Hub
              -Modem
              -Switch
              -Router/Wireless Router
              -Network Interface Card (NIC)
              -Network Cable: Fibre Optics/Coaxial/Twisted Pair/UTP/STP
              -Radio
              -Wi-Fi Access Point/Hotspots/Wireless Adapters
             -Bridge
             -Repeater
             -Server
             -Network Cable Connectors                                                                                        

(c)  Function of each network device

Hub:
             – connects computers together in an Ethernet-based network.

Modem:
             – used to enhance communication between computers/link computers over network
telephone lines or satellite.
             – modulate analog signals from telephone lines and demodulate it to digital signals.
             – convert analog signal to digital signals and vice versa.  

Switch:
             – common connection points of workstations and other devices in a network/connect
devices together in a computer network.
             –forwarding packets/data.
             –marking MAC/switching table.
             –network segmentation.

Router:
              – interconnects network.
             –forwarding packets.
             –network discovery.
             –Network Access Control.

Network Interface Card (NIC):
              – enables a computer to connect with other devices (nodes) in a network.

Network cable:
             – a medium through which data/packets are transported in a network.

Radio:
               – distributes signals to multiple stations wirelessly.

Wi-Fi Access Point:
              – connects one or more devices wirelessly.

Bridge:
–connecting two sub-networks into one.

              Repeater:
              –amplifies/boosts signals between network/systems.                  

Server:
– control network devices.
              –provides services to clients on the network.
              –security implementation and access control.
              –central storage.
              Network Cable Connectors
–to terminate network cables            

The question tested candidates’ knowledge on computer networking.
The chief examiner reported that majority of the candidates were unable togive reasons for connecting computers in a  network.