Question One $[30$ Marks$]$

$1\mathrm{.}1$ Richfield is opening a new branch office, and you are tasked with designing the network

infrastructure. Outline the key considerations, such as topology, equipment, and security

measures, for this new office. $(15$ Marks$)$

$1\mathrm{.}2$ A network backbone refers to the primary infrastructure that interconnects various smaller

networks within an organization or between different locations. It serves as the main pathway

for data traffic, connecting different network segments and ensuring the overall integrity and

efficiency of the network. The backbone is crucial for facilitating communication and data

exchange between devices, subnetworks, and the broader internet. What are some key

aspects of a network backbone? $(15$ Marks$)$

Question Two $[30$ Marks$]$

$2\mathrm{.}1\mathrm{.}1$ Richfield is experiencing intermittent network connectivity. Users report that sometimes

they can access resources, while other times they cannot. How would you approach this issue

using the OSI model? $(5)$

$2\mathrm{.}1\mathrm{.}2$ Mr$.$ John and his Team are experiencing a security breach, and unauthorized access to

sensitive data is suspected. Explain how you would use the OSI model to identify and mitigate the

security breach. $(5)$

$2\mathrm{.}1\mathrm{.}3$ A multinational corporation with offices in different continents is experiencing significant

latency in communication between its branches. How would you use the OSI model to diagnose

and address the latency issues? $(5)$

$2\mathrm{.}2$ Users in a corporate network are complaining about slow internet speeds and difficulty

accessing external websites. The network administrator suspects there may be an issue with the

TCP$/$IP configuration. Describe how you would approach troubleshooting this problem and

identify potential solutions. $(15)$

Question Three $[30$ Marks$]$

$3\mathrm{.}1$ A medium$-$sized company is expanding its office space and needs to upgrade its network

infrastructure to accommodate the increased number of employees and devices. The IT team is

considering the deployment of Ethernet technology. Discuss the key Ethernet specifications and

considerations that the team should take into account when planning the network upgrade.

Address aspects such as data transfer speed, cable types, and potential challenges. $(10)$

$3\mathrm{.}2.$ Network connecting devices play a crucial role in facilitating communication and data transfer

within computer networks. Demonstrate your understanding by answering the following

questions.

$3\mathrm{.}2\mathrm{.}1$ A hotel is planning to provide wireless internet access to guests in its lobby and rooms.

Design a strategy for placing wireless access points to ensure optimal coverage, considering

potential interference and security considerations. $(5)$

$3\mathrm{.}2\mathrm{.}2$ A company is setting up a new branch office and needs to establish a connection with the

main office. Describe the configuration steps and considerations involved in setting up a router to

connect the branch office to the main office network securely$.(5)$

$3\mathrm{.}2\mathrm{.}3$ A hotel is planning to provide wireless internet access to guests in its lobby and rooms.

Design a strategy for placing wireless access points to ensure optimal coverage, taking into

account potential interference and security considerations. $(5)$

$3\mathrm{.}2\mathrm{.}4$ A medium$-$sized business wants to enhance its network security by implementing firewalls.

Outline the steps involved in configuring a firewall to protect against unauthorized access and

potential cyber threats.