BEng. (Hons.

) Telecommunications
Engineering

BSc. (Hons.) Computer Science with

Network Security
Cohorts: BTEL/17B/FT & BCNS/18A/FT

Examinations for 2018 – 2019 / Semester 2 &

2019 / Semester 1

Resit Examinations for BTEL/16B/FT,

BCNS/15B/FT, BCNS/16A/FT, BCNS/17A/FT &
BCNS/17B/FT

MODULE: Switching Techniques

MODULE CODE: CAN 2105C

Duration: 2 ½ Hours

Instructions to Candidates:

1. Answer all FOUR questions.

2. All questions carry equal marks
3. Smartphone, Calculator & Wearables are not allowed.
4. There are Five Annexes.
5. Ensure that your Student ID appears on the Annexes to be
returned together with your scripts.
This question paper contains 4 questions and 5 pages + 5 annexes.

Page 1 of 5
Switching Techniques (CAN 2105C) SITE/June 2018/2019 Sem 2
QUESTION 1 (25 marks) VLANs

(a) Would the implementation of VLANs enhance the network infrastructure and
services at the UTM? Justify your answer in a small paragraph.

(5 marks)
(b) VTP is a Cisco proprietary protocol to manage trunks and VLANs.

(i) Describe how VTP exchanges domain and VLAN information between
switches in the same VTP domain.

(ii) What is the purpose of VTP pruning? Illustrate your answer with the
help of a simple diagram.
(2 x 3 marks)

(c) A switch can be in one of these three VTP modes.

Server
Client
Transparent

Mention the actions for each mode on VLANs.

(3 x2 marks)

(d) Refer to the topologies depicted in Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2 in Annex1.

(i) In Figure 1.1, you can’t connect to the Web Server from PC4, what is
the possible cause and relevant troubleshooting?

(ii) In Figure 1.2, you can’t connect to the Student E-mail Server from PC5,
what is the possible cause and relevant troubleshooting?

(2 x 4 marks)

Page 2 of 5
Switching Techniques (CAN 2105C) SITE/June 2018/2019 Sem 2
QUESTION 2 (25 marks) STP

N.B: You should submit the worked out Annexes bearing your Student ID
together with your scripts.

(a) Consider the topology diagram shown in Figure 2.1 as per Annex2. Label the
following on the diagram in case of STP implementation.
Root Port (s)
Non-designated Port(s)
Designated Port(s)
Blocking Port (s)

You should submit the Annex together with your scripts.

(4x2 marks)

(b) Consider the topology diagram of a 2-floor building shown in Figure 2.2 as per
Annex3. Label the ports on the diagram in case of RSTP implementation. You
should submit the Annex together with your scripts.

(6 marks)
(c) Consider the topology diagram shown in Figure 2.3 as per Annex4. Label the
ports on the diagram in case of MST implementation. You should submit the
Annex together with your scripts.

(6 marks)
(d) Name two advantages of the Spanning Tree PortFast configuration?

(2 x 2.5 marks)

Page 3 of 5
Switching Techniques (CAN 2105C) SITE/June 2018/2019 Sem 2
QUESTION 3 (25 marks) Layer 2 Security

(a) Attacks launched against switches and at Layer 2 can be grouped as follows:
• MAC layer attacks
• VLAN attacks
• Spoofing attacks
• Attacks on switch devices

For each of the above briefly describe one example and its mitigation
technique.

(4 x 4 marks)
(b) With the help of a simple diagram explain IP spoofing. Describe the functions of
IPSG in the context of IP Spoofing.

(5 marks)

(c) Root guard is useful in avoiding Layer 2 loops during network anomalies. Explain
how Root Guard operates to secure STP.
(4 marks)

Page 4 of 5
Switching Techniques (CAN 2105C) SITE/June 2018/2019 Sem 2
QUESTION 4 (25 marks) MPLS

(a) Describe the drawbacks of traditional routing in peer to peer or overlay VPNs.
(4 marks)
(b) Explain the purpose of Route Distinguisher (RD) for an MPLS-VPN network.
What is the main limitation that lead to the adoption of Route Targets (RTs)?

(3 + 2 marks)
(c) What are the roles of the following in an MPLS-VPN network?
(i) VRF
(ii) PHP
(iii) LDP
(3 x 2 marks)
(d) Consider the MPLS domain as portrayed in Figure 4.1 in Annex 5. Label the
packets at each stage and write the different protocols involved between the
different nodes. The PEs on your left are ingress whereas those on your right are
egress. You should submit the Annex together with your scripts.

(6+4 marks)

***END OF QUESTION PAPER***

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Switching Techniques (CAN 2105C) SITE/June 2018/2019 Sem 2