Computer Systems

2 February 2016

Examination Paper
Answer ALL questions.

Clearly cross out surplus answers.

Time: 3 hours

The maximum mark for this paper is 100.

Any reference material brought into the examination room must be

handed to the invigilator before the start of the examination.
 Answer ALL questions

Marks
Question 1

Corporate Canines (CC) specialize in breeding, training and supplying a range of dog
breeds to the business, charity and government sectors across the world. Typical
scenarios would include supplying Border Collies (dogs) for mountain search and rescue
teams, and Labradors (dogs) as guide dogs for blind people.

The Head of Procurement has been asked to provide IT recommendations for a set of five
categories. For each category listed from (a) to (e), suggest TWO (2) suitable computing
platforms/computer systems.

a) Big data processing of large corporate and external data sets (such as sales). 2
b) Travelling computing and communication facilities for CC staff (while at client 2
offices).
c) Remote and mobile computing and communications for CC staff (while out in the 2
field).
d) Remote monitoring and security of CC dog breeding and training facilities. 2
e) Out-of-hours access to corporate data by vetted CC staff (home working 2
managers).

Total: 10 Marks

Question 2

Corporate Canines (CC) use a large number of houses and premises to house and
train the dogs. These sites need to be connected to the company Head Quarter (HQ).
Communication within the HQ is also an issue. In fact, internal and external
communication in general is a problem. You have been asked to suggest the
appropriate networking technology for the following THREE (3) business areas:

a) Internal communication within the company HQ 2

b) External communication with the company’s remote breading and training sites. 2
c) External communication with clients and rest of the world. 2

d) The procurement chief is very pleased with your suggestions but now he has 4
another problem. The company’s CEO wants to implement a new company-wide
‘clear desk’ policy – which rules out wires. Provide FOUR (4) suggestions on how
this new policy can be implemented as part of the wider networking upgrade.

Total: 10 Marks

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Computer Systems © NCC Education Limited 2016
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Question 3

Each dog bred and trained represents a very considerable investment of time and
money and is therefore in need of close monitoring and protection. As a result, the
company wishes to commission an intelligent tag (chip) that would be attached to the
dog’s collar – thus allowing remote tracking and dog identification if lost. The new
device will be known as ‘CAT’ (Canine Active Tracker).

In trying to implement this project, the CEO has asked you to spell out the acronyms
listed from (a) to (j) which relate to computer components. You should also provide a
brief description of each component.

a) ALU 1
b) PC 1
c) IR 1
d) CU 1
e) MAR 1
f) I/O 1
g) ACC 1
h) MBR 1
i) RAM 1
j) ROM 1

Total: 10 Marks

Question 4

A key process in developing the ‘CAT’ (Canine Active Tracker) is compliance with all
company and legal regulations concerning Health and Safety.

a) State FOUR (4) potential safety issues that the company must be aware of 4
when handling or working with computing equipment or components.

b) Based on your answer from part (a), suggest SIX (6) ways in which any of 6
these risks can be fully eliminated or partially mitigated.

Total: 10 Marks

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Computer Systems © NCC Education Limited 2016
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Question 5

a) Business is going well and as part of the general technology upgrade, the 6
company has decided to enhance and extend its computer peripheral budget.
However, the Finance Director wants to differentiate between a ‘computer’ and a
‘computer peripheral’ for internal accounting reasons. State SIX (6) features of a
computer peripheral.

b) Now the Finance Director can differentiate a computer from a peripheral but he 4
still needs a finer-level of detail for his accounting system. List FOUR (4)
classifications of peripheral.

Total: 10 Marks

Question 6

In order to promote and sell the ‘CAT’ (Canine Active Tracker) to its clients, the company
will need to develop a suite of software applications to support the device. As a result, it
will need to hire more programmers. The Senior Developer has designed a web-based test
for all applicants to attempt ahead of formal interviews. Imagine you are an applicant.
Answer the following TWO (2) questions:

a) State FOUR (4) different types of programming language. 4

b) Identify and explain TWO (2) language translation processes. 6

Total: 10 Marks

Question 7

a) In order to take the ‘CAT’ device to market, it has to be rigorously tested. 3

Briefly explain what is meant by a test plan.

b) The company likes the sound of a ‘test plan’ but they want to go further and 7
really ensure that their clients get the best possible experience. As a result,
they would like to adopt the IEEE 829 Test Plan. Explain what is meant by the
IEEE 829 Test Plan and outline its structure.

Total 10 Marks

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Question 8

Once tested and delivered to their clients, the company is aware that in order to stay
ahead of the competition they will need to upgrade their CAT device and the associated
software. Their main concern is hardware maintenance. They have two issues that need
resolving:

a) Briefly explain what is meant by hardware maintenance. 3

b) Briefly describe what is meant by regular IT maintenance. 1

c) Identify and briefly describe THREE (3) different types of preventive 6

maintenance.

Total: 10 Marks

Question 9
A huge amount of time, effort and money has gone into developing the CAT device 10
and its associated suite of applications. As a result, the company wishes to protect
that investment. When a client buys a CAT device, they also get a CD with all
associated software that is stored as files within a directory structure. Explain how
files may be protected once they have been distributed.

Total: 10 Marks

Question 10

The company is losing business to competitors because its current IT infrastructure is not
fit-for-purpose. The CEO has taken the major decision to replace the aging IT system with
a new one. Although the CEO knows what is wrong with the current system, he requires
advice that relates to the following questions:

a) Identify and briefly describe TWO (2) different frameworks for choosing a 4
solution to specific IT problems.

b) State SIX (6) selection criteria that can be used within these frameworks. 6

Total: 10 Marks

End of Examination Paper

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