COM2023 : Computer System Fundamental

Group Assignment (10%)

Instruction:
1. Do it in group of 4 students.
2. Submit report on Week 8 (28 Feb – 4 Mac 2011).
3. Format :
a. Times New Roman – Font 12,
b. 1.5 spacing,
c. Including cover page.

Group 1
1. What is a network and why is it significant?
2. Identify the examples of networks around you and classify them in terms of LAN, MAN and WAN and explain the
purpose of these networks?
3. Differentiate between the following: • Hubs and Switches, • Routers and Bridges
4. Explain the significance of the Internet

Group 2
1. Describe the three main functions of an operating system.
2. Identify the two basic forms of user interfaces, and describe the difference between the two.
3. Describe the methods of resource allocation on large computers.
4. Explain the principles of memory management

Group 3
1. Identify the kinds of software that are available for both large and small businesses.
2. Describe the functions of various computer professionals.
3. Explain the difference between freeware and shareware.
4. What does communication mean to an individual with a personal computer at home?

Group 4
1. Describe how program instructions are executed by the computer.
2. Describe the components of a microcomputer system unit's motherboard.
3. Explain the three reasons that it is not feasible to keep program instructions or data in memory when the
program is not running.
4. Explain the steps involved that make up I-time and E-time.

Group 5
1. Explain how data is input into a computer system and differentiate among various input equipment.
2. Explain the function of a computer terminal and describe the types of terminals.
3. Differentiate between discrete word systems and continuous word systems.
4. Identify and describe the two basic approaches to getting a computer to talk.

Group 6
1. Differentiate among the principal types of secondary storage.
2. Discuss the benefits of multimedia.
3. Identify and briefly describe the characteristics that determine how data is physically organized on a disk.
4. What is the difference between transaction and batch processing?
Group 7
1. Differentiate among the various kinds of communications links and appreciate the need for protocols.
2. Identify the components of a data communications system and briefly describe how it works.
3. Describe the three ways that data transmission can be characterized.
4. Describe various network configurations.

Group 8
1. Explain what is needed to get on the Internet.
2. List and describe the non-Web parts of the Internet.
3. Provide an example of a URL and describe its different parts.
4. What determines whether a file is available for downloading from the Internet?

Group 9
1. Differentiate between business-to-consumer and business-to-business sites.
2. Explain how money factors, especially advertising, affect the Web.
3. Describe the likely success factors for Web entrepreneurs.
4. Differentiate between intranets, extranets, and virtual private networks.

Group 10
1. Explain how computer networking and related software have flattened the classical management pyramid.
2. Describe the purpose and function of sophisticated software for top managers.
3. Explain the differences between a DSS and an MIS.
4. Briefly describe the prospective problem areas that need the attention of the personal computer manager.

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