EC-603-A Data Communication - May 2022 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aDraw basic block diagrams of data communication systems and explain different components of the system.
   How to answer

   • Block diagram with source, transmitter, transmission system, receiver, destination
   • Function of each component
   • Example of data communication system
2. 7 Marks
   bExplain about various network topologies. Also give a brief description of network classification.
   How to answer

   • Definition of network topology - bus, star, ring, mesh, tree, hybrid
   • Advantages and disadvantages with diagrams
   • Network classification - LAN, MAN, WAN by size and range
3. 7 Marks
   aDefine transmission medium. How do guided media differ from unguided media?
   How to answer

   • Definition of transmission medium
   • Guided media types - twisted pair, coaxial, fiber
   • Unguided media - radio, microwave, infrared
   • Comparison points
4. 7 Marks
   bExplain different layers in OSI model.
   How to answer

   • Purpose of OSI model - 7 layer architecture
   • Function of each layer from Physical to Application
   • Data flow and encapsulation concept
   • Diagram of OSI layers
5. 7 Marks
   aExplain in detail about Error-Correction mechanisms with suitable examples.
   How to answer

   • Concept of error correction vs detection
   • Block codes, Hamming code with example
   • Convolutional codes and redundancy
   • Example calculation of parity/check bits
6. 7 Marks
   bExplain about Data link layer protocols.
   How to answer

   • Role of data link layer - framing, flow and error control
   • Asynchronous and synchronous protocols
   • Examples - HDLC, PPP, Stop-and-Wait, Sliding Window
   • Diagram of frame structure
7. 7 Marks
   aExplain the concept of Token Bus (IEEE 802.4).
   How to answer

   • Token Bus access method and logical ring on physical bus
   • IEEE 802.4 standard features
   • Token passing operation and frame format
   • Advantages and applications
8. 7 Marks
   bExplain MAN with its architecture.
   How to answer

   • Definition of MAN and coverage range
   • Architecture with backbone, switches and interconnection
   • Diagram of MAN
   • Examples and comparison with LAN/WAN
9. 7 Marks
   aExplain the TCP/IP reference model with neat diagram.
   How to answer

   • Four layers - Host-to-Network, Internet, Transport, Application
   • Neat labelled diagram of TCP/IP model
   • Function of TCP and IP protocols
   • Comparison with OSI model
10. 7 Marks
    bWrite a note on the routing algorithm.
    How to answer

    • Purpose of routing and classification - static vs dynamic
    • Examples - Dijkstra, distance vector, link state
    • Steps of algorithm operation
    • Advantages and applications
11. 7 Marks
    aWhat are Standards? Name any four standard organizations for Data communications.
    How to answer

    • Definition of standards - de facto and de jure
    • Need for standardization in data communication
    • Four organizations - ISO, IEEE, ITU-T, EIA, IETF
    • Contribution of each organization
12. 7 Marks
    bWrite short notes on circuit switching, packet switching and message switching.
    How to answer

    • Definition and operation of circuit switching
    • Packet switching - datagram and virtual circuit
    • Message switching concept
    • Comparison of delay, resource and applications
13. 7 Marks
    aWrite a short note on checksum.
    How to answer

    • Principle of checksum error detection
    • Steps - segmentation, sum, complement at sender and receiver
    • Simple example with binary numbers
    • Advantages and limitations
14. 7 Marks
    bWrite a short note on ATM and SONET.
    How to answer

    • ATM concept - cells, virtual paths and circuits
    • SONET concept - synchronous optical network hierarchy
    • Architecture and data rates
    • Applications in broadband networks
15. 14 Marks
    Write short notes on

    1. i)Gateways
    2. ii)Framing
    3. iii)FDDI
    4. iv)Transmission mode
    How to answer

    • Gateways - interconnection of dissimilar networks
    • Framing - types and methods
    • FDDI - fiber distributed data interface features
    • Transmission modes - simplex, half and full duplex