Download a) Which network design topology is best to use and why

Solution Assignment #4
a) Suppose you are asked to design a network for an institution computer lab (say of
30 computers) which network design topology will you think be the best to use and
why?
(10 marks)
Solution:
In the given scenario, the Star network topology will be the best to use. The reasons for
using Star topology are some advantages over other topology schemes.
The advantages of using Star topology are as follows;
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The main advantage of a star network is that one malfunctioning node doesn't
affect the rest of the network in contrast to Ring topology where one node can
disturb the whole network. Therefore star topology reduces the chance of network
failure.
It's easy to add and remove nodes in the Star because every node is independently
connected to the Switch or Hub.
Only the intended recipient receives the messages from the sender unlike in Bus
topology, all the nodes in the network receives the message from the sender.
Can be mange from the Server unlike bus and Ring where there are no central
devise like a Server.
b) Differentiate between Data Management and Database Management System.
(5 marks)
Solution)
A database is a collection of data (or facts) that are logically organized and can easily be
searched or manipulated.
Data management comprises all the disciplines related to managing data as a valuable
resource. The definition is that "Data Resource Management is the development and
execution of architectures, policies, practices and procedures that properly manage the
full data lifecycle needs of an enterprise."
A database management system (DBMS) is the category of computer software programs
used for creating, organizing, retrieving, analyzing, and sorting information in computerbased databases. Such software is often informally referred to as "database software."
The database and the DBMS, however, are distinct, just as a text document is distinct
from the word processing program used to create and modify it.
c) Create small data base using MS Access. It must have three tables students,
courses and semester.
(15 marks)
Columns of these tables should be like
Student table
 studentID (primary key)
 studentName
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studentAddress
studentPhone
studentDegreeProgram
semesterID
CGPA
Semester table
 semesterID (primary key)
 noOfCourses
 courseCode
Course table
 courseCode (primary key)
 courseName
 courseInstrcutor
 semesterID
The relationship between these tables is shown below.
Hint: Use the relationship tag in the menu bar to link these tables.