Computer Systems

5 February 2019

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

The Head of Procurement of a large organization has asked you to provide IT

recommendations for a set of five ‘usage categories’. For each category listed from (a) to
(e), suggest TWO (2) suitable computing platforms/computer systems.

a) Big data processing of large internal corporate and external data sets. 2

b) Travelling computing and communication facilities for staff while at client offices. 2

c) Remote and mobile computing and communications for staff while out in the field. 2

d) Remote monitoring and security of the company’s various physical buildings. 2

e) Out-of-hours access to corporate data by staff such as home working managers. 2

Total: 10 Marks

Question 2

a) Suggest TWO (2) appropriate networking technologies for each the following
THREE (3) business situations:

i) Internal communication within the company HQ 2

ii) External communication with the company’s remote sites. 2

iii) External communication with clients and the rest of the world. 2

b) Suggest appropriate networking technologies for the following business situation: 4

All employees currently have a PC on their desk. All devices (Keyboard/mouse etc) are
connected by cables. The Company’s CEO wants to remove wired connections as far
as possible. Explain how this may be achieved, stating the technologies that could be
employed.

Total: 10 Marks

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Question 3

The company produces a range of high-value, highly portable products that are easy
to steal or lose. The company thus wishes to commission an intelligent tag (chip) that
would be embedded within each item – thus allowing remote tracking and identification
if lost or stolen. 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 tracking device is compliance with all company and
legal regulations concerning Health & Safety.

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

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

Total: 10 Marks

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Computer Systems © NCC Education Limited 2019
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Question 5

a) Business is going well and as part of the general technology upgrade, the company 6
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 still 4
needs a finer-level of detail for his accounting system. List FOUR (4) classifications
of peripheral.

Total: 10 Marks

Question 6

The company will need to develop a suite of software applications to support the
tracking 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 their products to market, they must be rigorously tested. Briefly 3
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 really 7
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 tracking 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) Identify ONE (1) benefit of regular IT maintenance. 1

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

Total: 10 Marks

Question 9
When a client buys a product, 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 to clients when they buy the product.

Total: 10 Marks

Question 10

The company is losing business to competitors because its current IT infrastructure is

not up to the job. 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 solution 4
to specific IT problems.

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

Total: 10 Marks

End of Paper

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