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Chapter 1 Elements of Data Communications: Analog and Digital
1.1 Multiple Choice Questions
1) What are the five evolution phases of data communications?
A) digitization, growth of data gathering, an era of delegation, the Internet as a common tool, and pervasive computing
B) analog signals, growth of data communications, an era of deregulation, the Internet as a common tool, and pervasive computing
C) digitization, growth of data communications, an era of deregulation, the Internet as a common tool, and pervasive computing
D) digitization, growth of data communications, an era of deregulation, the evolution of Voice-over-IP (VoIP) as a common tool, and pervasive computing
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 3
2) In what year did computer technology begin to transform our social, economic, and governmental infrastructures?
A) 1960s, when Internet became a core in our technology
B) 1950s, when ARPA research was formed
C) 1980s, when the Internet was introduced
D) 1990s, when the Internet was enhanced
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 3
3) The technology used in the 1960s called ______was/were very large and expensive and used proprietary architectures that did not support cross-platform communications.
A) Department of Defense PCs
B) the Internet
C) personal computers
D) mainframes
Answer: D
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 3
4) The term ______generally refers to a technology or product that is copyrighted and not available for use without some type of fee or payment to its owner.
A) Internet technology
B) RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology
C) Proprietary
D) IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electrical Engineers) technology
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 3
5) A series of legal battles, beginning in the late ______and continuing into the ______, introduced an era of deregulation that in ______resulted in the federally mandated breakup of Bell Telephone/AT&T into two components.
A) 1970s, 1980s, 1988
B) 1960s, 1970s, 1984
C) 1960s, 1970s, 1988
D) 1980s, 1990s, 1994
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 4
6) A key goal of ______is to allow competitors to enter a market so that consumers in that market can have a wider selection of service providers from which to choose.
A) digitization
B) the Internet
C) deregulation
D) All of the above.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 4
7) In 1958, in response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik, the U.S. Department of Defense established ______.
A) Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA)
B) Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
C) Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
D) Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 4
8) The Internet mostly in use today, especially in the U.S., is known as version IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4). What is the next improved and enhanced Internet Protocol technology?
A) Internet protocol v5
B) Internet protocol v3
C) Internet protocol v9
D) Internet protocol v6
Answer: D
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 5
9) Data communications is formally considered as a subset of ______.
A) Internet
B) AT&T Bell lab technologies
C) Telecommunications
D) All of the above
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 6
10) Telecommunications includes many different types of communication besides data, such as voice and video, and includes telephony, telegraphy, and television. Where does the prefix "tele" come from?
A) The Latin word communications
B) The Roman word for traveling
C) The English word for telecommute
D) The Greek word for distance
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 6
11) Telecommunications historically has supported other purposes beyond communications between ______and ______.
A) computers, networks
B) World Wide Web, DNS
C) DHCP, mainframes
D) File Transfer Protocols, Proxy Servers
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 6
12) A number of ______, both national and international, specify how, where, when, what, and who can provide telecommunications services.
A) Internet and network organizations
B) protocols
C) standards-setting bodies
D) Internet technologies
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 6
13) Today, the term data encompasses a much broader range of elements, no longer consisting of just numbers and text. What other elements might data include?
A) graphic images, sound files, or video elements
B) sound files, but not video
C) video elements, but not sound files
D) None of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 6
14) One binary coding scheme in particular that will affect data communications technologies is ______.
A) Internet subnet mask
B) Internet Protocol (IP)
C) binary code
D) Unicode
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 6
15) What are the three questions that must be considered with regards to data communications?
A) (1) how the data are delivered, (2) how accurate the data are once delivered, and (3) how accessible the data are to those who need to use it
B) (1) how the data are received, (2) how accurate the data are once delivered, and (3) how accessible the data are to those who need to use it
C) (1) how the data are delivered, (2) how accurate the data are once received, and (3) how accessible the data are to those who need to use it
D) (1) how the data are delivered, (2) how accurate the data are once delivered, and (3) how accessible the data are to those who sent it
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 7
16) A/an ______is a set of rules that determine how something is performed or accomplished.
A) standard
B) Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
C) protocol
D) Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 7
17) In data communications, protocols must possess how many key characteristics in order for communications to successfully and effectively occur?
A) three
B) four
C) two
D) five
Answer: B
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18) When a sending device sends its data to a receiving device, the two devices must agree on the ______of speed that will be used in the transmission.
A) protocol
B) standard
C) quality
D) rate
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 8
19) When two devices need to communicate, one of the devices may not be available for a variety of reasons: hardware failure, a downed communication link, ______, or ______.
A) system repair, network upgrading
B) system repair, software upgrading
C) system repair, mainframe upgrading
D) PC repair, software upgrading
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 8
20) Evolving data communications technologies, which are ______or ______depending on how one views them, are having dramatic effects on the ethical standards of conduct within our society.
A) invasive, pervasive
B) similar, different
C) active, interactive
D) small, large
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 9
21) If a business wants to be able to keep accurate records of its inventory, what should the business utilize?
A) Wireless technologies to be connected to the network all the time
B) More resources to keep track of what has been sold and what has been purchased
C) GPS (Global Positioning System)
D) RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 9
22) What are the two main types of standards?
A) invasive or pervasive
B) TCP/IP and Ethernet
C) formal and informal
D) IPv4 and IPv6
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 9
23) Standards provide well-known and published ______upon which a technology can be based.
A) guidelines
B) rules
C) policies
D) All of the above are correct
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 9
24) ______standards are either proprietary or nonproprietary.
A) Formal
B) Non-formal
C) FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
D) De facto
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 9
25) A famous example of a de facto standard that later became a formal standard is ______.
A) Internet subnet mask
B) Internet Protocol (IP)
C) Ethernet protocol
D) Unicode
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 10
26) Ethernet was created by Xerox Corporation and later formalized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as what standard?
A) 801.2
B) 802.1
C) 802.11
D) 802.3
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 10
27) ISO is one of the standards-setting bodies. ISO stands for ______.
A) Internet Standardization Organization
B) International Standards Organization
C) International Systems Organizations
D) Internet Systems Organization
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 10
28) One of the major standards-setting body organizations is ANSI, which stands for ______.
A) American Native Standards Institute
B) American National Standards of Internet
C) American National Standards Institute
D) American Nation Systems Institute
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 10
29) The ISO attempts to create international technological compatibility by supporting and establishing worldwide ______.
A) standards
B) protocols
C) IP addresses
D) Ethernet protocol
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 10
30) The ______defines many standards for both local area networks (LANs) and backbone networks.
A) ISO
B) ANSI
C) IEEE
D) FCC
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 10
31) The ______is a nonprofit organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute to develop voluntary industry standards for a wide variety of telecommunications products.
A) IANA
B) IETF
C) FCC
D) TIA
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 10
32) The ______attempts to create international technological compatibility by supporting and establishing worldwide standards in the field of information technology.
A) FCC
B) OSI
C) ISO
D) IEEE
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 10
33) ______of a technology know that, by following standards, they will create a product of much greater appeal to their market of interest.
A) Network engineers
B) Software engineers
C) Managers
D) Developers
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 9
34) ______of a technology appreciate standards because it makes for easier maintenance, upgrade, and troubleshooting of their technology infrastructures.
A) Managers
B) Developers
C) Help desk users
D) All of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 9
35) The ______is an open-member professional society, meaning you could join it if you wanted to. It is the closest the Internet has to an owning organization. It represents more than 100 countries.
A) OSI
B) ISO
C) ISOC
D) IETF
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 10
36) The ______is an international community, consisting of researchers, vendors, and network designers. Its concern is with the evolution of the Internet's architecture and its efficient functioning.
A) IEEE
B) FCC
C) ANSI
D) IETF
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 10
37) The ______is responsible for actions associated with, and the final specifications of, Internet standards.
A) IESG
B) FCC
C) ANSI
D) IETF
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 11
38) The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) provides strategic direction and guidance to the IESG and the ______.
A) IANA
B) FCC
C) ANSI
D) IETF
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 11
39) The IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) governs the assignment of IP ______.
A) standards
B) numbers
C) binary codes
D) All of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 11
40) The ______oversees and authorizes interstate and international electrical communication systems originating in the U.S.
A) IESG
B) FCC
C) ANSI
D) IETF
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 11
41) The ______plays a major role in ensuring that the national telephone system operates effectively.
A) IESG
B) ISO
C) FCC
D) IETF
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 11
42) The ______spearheaded the development of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and reviews performance standards for bridges, routers, and router protocols.
A) ISO
B) IEEE
C) IETF
D) FCC
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 10
43) The ______plays a fundamental role in the defining of standards for electrical and functional characteristics of interface equipment.
A) TIA
B) IEEE
C) IETF
D) FCC
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 10
44) ______'s membership list includes industry associations, consumer groups, governmental bodies, professional associations, and other interested parties.
A) ISO
B) IETF
C) IEEE
D) ANSI
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 10
45) The ______has established standards that define data transmission over phone lines, e-mail and directory services, and transmission over public digital networks.
A) ISO
B) ITU-T
C) IEEE
D) ANSI
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 10
46) ______determine the speed at which sending and receiving devices can communicate based on the capabilities of each device.
A) Protocols
B) Standards
C) IPv4s
D) IPv6s
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 11
1.2 True/False Questions
1) Networked data communications are not changing our world.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 2
2) In 720 B.C., the Greeks used homing pigeons to carry messages.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 2
3) Global Positioning System (GPS) provides instant messaging and assistance.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 2
4) The evolution of data communications can be divided into five phases.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 3
5) The evolution of data communications can be divided into six phases.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 3
6) Deregulation is one of the six evolution phases of data communications.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 3
7) Deregulation is not one of the five evolution phases of data communications.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 3
8) The evolution of the Internet came to existence in 1972.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 3
9) The Internet is one of the six evolution phases of data communications.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 3
10) The evolution of the Internet took place in 1990s.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 3
11) In the 1970s, computer technology began to transform our social, economic, and governmental infrastructures.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 3
12) Computer technology began to transform our social, economic, and governmental infrastructures in the 1960s.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 3
13) Mainframe computers are primarily used for storing small amounts of data.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 3
14) Mainframe computers were very large and expensive and used proprietary architectures that did not support cross-platform communications.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 3
15) A closed architecture technology does not permit competing technologies to directly interface or interact with it.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 3
16) Because they were large, expensive, and simple, mainframes were used mostly by governments, major research institutes, and large corporations.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 3
17) Because they were large, expensive, and complex, personal computers were used mostly by governments, major research institutes, and large corporations.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 3
18) The first data communications infrastructures used the existing circuit-based telephone system.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 3
19) In 1986, the U.S. Congress passed the Telecommunications Competition and Deregulation Act.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 4
20) In 1958, in response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik, the U.S. Department of Defense established the Advanced Resource Projects Agency (ARPA).
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 4
21) In 1968, in response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik, the U.S. Department of Defense established the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA).
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 4
22) According to IMS Research, the total number of devices connected to the Internet was expected to exceed 15 billion as of August 2010.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 4
23) The Internet mostly in use today, especially in the U.S., is known as Internet Protocol version 4.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 5
24) IPv4 will ultimately be replaced with the new improved Internet, IPv9 (Internet Protocol version 9).
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 5
25) A technology so commonly used that it is taken for granted within a society is referred to as a pervasive technology.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 5
26) A famous example of a commonly used pervasive technology in industrial countries is the cars we drive.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 5
27) The Internet, by way of the World Wide Web (WWW), has become an information repository to only social media data.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 6
28) Data communications is formally considered the main provider of telecommunications.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 6
29) In telecommunications the prefix "tele" comes from the Roman word for distant.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 6
30) "Data" might include graphic images, sound files, but no video elements.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 12
31) Regardless of the kind of data, data will ultimately be expressed in IP Addresses format so that computers can process it.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 6
32) The three questions that must be considered with regards to data communications are (1) how the data are received, (2) how accurate the data are once delivered, and (3) how accessible the data are to those who need to use it.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 7
33) A protocol is a set of rules that determine how data are delivered and received.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 7
34) A protocol is a set of rules that determine how something is performed or accomplished.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 7
35) RFID, which stands for Radio Format Identification, is a wireless technology used widely to tag a device for tracking and monitoring purposes.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 9
36) Formal standards are those standards that have been authorized by either an officially recognized body or by law and regulation.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 9
37) The TIA is a nonprofit organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop voluntary industry standards for a wide variety of telecommunications products.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 10
1.3 Essay Questions
1) What are the evolution phases of data communications?
Answer:
1: Digitization in the 1960s
2: Growth of data communications in the 1970s
3: An era of deregulation in the 1980s
4: The Internet as a common tool in the 1990s
5: Pervasive computing in the 2000s
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 3
2) What does ARPA stand for, and what was the purpose of its establishment?
Answer: ARPA stands for Advanced Research Projects Agency. One of ARPA's primary missions was to find a way for computers to communicate with each other, regardless of the computers" manufacturers.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 4
3) What is the current version of the Internet protocol? What are some of the benefits of the Internet protocol? What is the next and enhanced version of the Internet protocol?
Answer: The Internet mostly in use today, especially in the U.S., is known as version IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4). When this version of the Internet was created, researchers had no way of knowing how wildly successful the Internet would become. Also, the types of data that IPv4 was designed to carry did not include relatively resource-intensive kinds of files such as those carrying video and sound. In the long run, for all of this to happen, IPv4 will ultimately be replaced with the new improved Internet, IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6). This transition is taking place now. IPv6 is viewed by many technologists as a solution to the significant problems that IPv4 cannot address.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 5
4) What is the main difference between Data Communications and Telecommunications? Where does the prefix "Tele" come from?
Answer: Data communications, as the name implies, is focused on the communication of data and information between computers and computer networks. Today, the term data encompasses a much broader range of elements, no longer consisting of just numbers and text. Data communications is formally considered as a subset of telecommunications, meaning that data communications is included within telecommunications, not the other way around. Even so, data communications covers a very large territory. Telecommunications includes many different types of communication besides data, such as voice and video, and includes telephony, telegraphy, and television. Therefore, telecommunications historically has supported other purposes beyond communications between computers and networks. The prefix "tele" comes from the Greek word for distant. In telecommunications, we are usually talking about great distances.