FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

COURSE TITLE: DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKS

COURSE CODE: ICT354

LECTURER: DR ELDAD ANTWI-BEKOE

GROUP ASSIGNMENT BY ITE 300E, GROUP 2

 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 4

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING

a. List of hardware devices in a small home network;

I. Wireless Access Router
II. Broadband Modem
III. Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable
IV. Network Printer
V. Tablet
VI. Personal Computer
b. Unshielded Twisted Pair Cables
c. RJ45
d. 802.11
e. Hardware functions in the wireless access router;
 Acts as a router and connects the home network to the network of the ISP.
 Has built-in ethernet switch
 Has a wireless access point
 Has a built-in DHCP server
f. The DHCP gives IP addresses to the nodes on the network
g. It translates between internal IP addresses and the single IP address the ISP gives.
h. Services provided by the network;
I. Shared internet access
II. File sharing
III. Printer sharing
i. Devices that need configuration;
 Wireless printer
 Wireless access point
 Client PCs
 DESIGN EXERCISE

Designing a network for my home requires planning the layout of the network and also listing
out the network devices that need to be used for the network. According to the drawing, the
wireless router will be installed in the living room which is also the center part of the house.
This can be beneficial to allow more WIFI coverage to every corner of the house. The
wireless router is connected to the Internet using the fiber optic connection provided by the
Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Below is the price list for wireless routers that support the new 802.11ac and those that do not
as well as a 10 feet long premade UTP patch cord.
 Item Name Website Link Item Type Price

802.11ac supported
TP-Link AC1750 https://www.amazon.com/ Wireless Router
Smart WiFi Router (802.11ac)
(Archer C7) $57.95

NETGEAR https://www.amazon.com/ Wireless Router

Nighthawk Smart (802.11ac)
WiFi Router (R6700) $85.99

Non 802.11ac supported

TP-Link Archer C50 https://www.amazon.com/ Wireless Router
(802.11ac) $40
NETGEAR R6080 https://www.amazon.com/ Wireless Router
(802.11ac) $50
Linksys EA6350 https://www.amazon.com/ Wireless Router
(802.11ac) $55
StarTech.com 10ft https://www.amazon.com/ Molded RJ45
Cat6 Patch Cable Connectors $8.99

B-male cable(10ft) https://www.amazon.com/ B-male

$7
 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 10

Answers to Questions

1. The radar window is misleading because it shows the relative directions of the
access points. It suggests a circular, omnidirectional view of Wi-Fi signals like a
traditional radar. However, Wi-Fi signals don't propagate in perfect circles and are
affected by walls, obstacles, and other interference.
2. Despite the limitations of the radar window, you can still locate an access point by
using a combination of techniques.
First, use the signal strength indicator (-44 dBm in this case) to get a general sense
of where the strongest signal is. Move around while observing the signal strength
and direction in the radar window. Pay attention to how the signal changes as you
move.
Next, use other tools within the application. Look for the network name (SSID)
and MAC address of the access point. This information can help you identify the
specific access point you're trying to locate.
You can also use the connection test and speed test to see how the connection
quality changes as you move closer or further from the access point.
3. -44 dBm is considered a very good signal strength. In general, signals closer to 0
dBm are stronger, and signals further from 0 dBm (more negative) are weaker. -44
dBm indicates a strong connection and good performance.
4. You can sort the networks window by:
- Signal strength (RSSI/dBm)
- SSID (Network name)
- Channel number
- Security type
- Frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz)
5. The Connection Test provides information about the ping (latency), jitter, packet
loss, and MOS score (Mean Opinion Score for voice quality). These metrics
indicate the reliability and speed of the connection to the server.
6. The Speed Test provides:
- Download speed
- Upload speed
- Latency (ping)
 - Jitter
7. The Quality Test provides information about the ping (latency), jitter, packet loss,
and overall connection quality (indicated by the grade "B" in this case). It also
gives information about the server being used (Honolulu, HI) and the distance to
the server. MOS score for voice quality (5.0 is excellent).

Signal Strength Download Speed Upload Speed

Location Ping (ms) Jitter (ms))
(dBmD) (Mbp) (Mbpss)
Graduate Lecture
-42 dBm 85Mbps 40Mbps 12ms 1ms
Block
Opoku Ware
-60 dBm 45Mbps 20Mbps 25ms 3ms
Forecourt
UBS -55 dBm 60Mbps 30Mbps 18ms 2ms
Administration
-40 dBm 68Mbps 50Mbps 10ms 1ms
Block
2
NLB -50 dBm 60Mbps 35Mbps 19ms
3ms
Autonomy Hall -45 dBm 70Mbps 40Mbps 15ms 2ms

New Auditorium -99 dBm 30Mbps 20Mbps 25ms 6ms

NFB -87 dBm 68Mbps 15Mbps 38ms 3ms

ROB -68 dBm 48Mbps 13Mbps 14ms 2ms

FRANKY JAY -55 dBm 60Mbps 8Mbps 18ms 2ms

 GROUP MEMBERS

NAME INDEX NUMBER

Elton Nana Owusu 5221040411

Nathaniel Kparib 5221040412

Precious Humali 5221040413

Gilbert Elikplim Kukah 5221040415

Rita Yeboah 5221040416

Emmanuel Boateng 5221040417

Christopher Afoakwa 5221040418

Calcious Arrhenius Oppong 5221040419

Elvis Ntoya Adukdaa 5221040420