Attempt any Three (3)questions in this section. ) A Newly founded networking company seeks to employ a network administrator. Highlight FOUR duties he is required to perform (4 Marks) Explain THREE classes of ipv4 address giving examples in each (6 Marks) Explain FIVE benefits of DHCP protocol as used by network administrator during network configuration (10 Marks)

**Question 1: Duties of a Network Administrator**<br /><br />A newly founded networking company seeks to employ a network administrator. Highlight FOUR duties he is required to perform.<br /><br />**Answer:**<br />1. **Network Monitoring and Maintenance:** The network administrator is responsible for monitoring the network's performance and ensuring its smooth operation. This includes troubleshooting network issues, performing regular maintenance tasks, and ensuring that the network is up and running efficiently.<br /><br />2. **Network Security:** The network administrator must implement and maintain security measures to protect the network from unauthorized access, cyber threats, and data breaches. This includes configuring firewalls, implementing encryption protocols, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious activities.<br /><br />3. **Network Configuration and Management:** The network administrator is responsible for configuring network devices such as routers, switches, and servers. They must ensure that the network is properly configured to meet the company's requirements, including setting up IP addresses, subnet masks, and other network parameters.<br /><br />4. **Network Planning and Documentation:** The network administrator must plan and document the network infrastructure, including designing network layouts, identifying potential bottlenecks, and documenting network configurations. This helps in efficient network management and ensures that the network can scale as the company grows.<br /><br />**Question 2: Classes of IPv4 Addresses**<br /><br />Explain THREE classes of IPv4 address giving examples in each.<br /><br />**Answer:**<br />1. **Class A:** Class A addresses are designed for large networks with a large number of hosts. They range from 0.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255. An example of a Class A address is 10.0.0.0. This class allows for 16 million unique addresses, with the first octet representing the network and the remaining three octets representing the hosts.<br /><br />2. **Class B:** Class B addresses are designed for medium-sized networks. They range from 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.255.255. An example of a Class B address is 172.16.0.0. This class allows for 16,384 unique addresses, with the first two octets representing the network and the remaining two octets representing the hosts.<br /><br />3. **Class C:** Class C addresses are designed for small networks. They range from 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255. An example of a Class C address is 192.168.1.0. This class allows for 2,097,152 unique addresses, with the first three octets representing the network and the remaining octet representing the hosts.<br /><br />**Question 3: Benefits of DHCP Protocol**<br /><br />Explain FIVE benefits of DHCP protocol as used by network administrators during network configuration.<br /><br />**Answer:**<br />1. **Dynamic IP Address Assignment:** DHCP dynamically assigns IP addresses to devices on the network, eliminating the need for manual configuration. This ensures that each device has a unique IP address, preventing address conflicts and simplifying network management.<br /><br />2. **Efficient IP Address Utilization:** DHCP optimizes the use of available IP addresses by allocating them dynamically. This allows for efficient use of the IP address space and reduces the risk of address exhaustion.<br /><br />3. **Simplified Network Configuration:** DHCP simplifies network configuration by automating the process of assigning IP addresses, subnet masks, and other network parameters. This reduces the administrative burden and ensures consistent network configuration across all devices.<br /><br />4. **Enhanced Network Security:** DHCP can enhance network security by implementing features such as DHCP snooping, which helps prevent unauthorized devices from accessing the network. Additionally, DHCP can be used to restrict access to specific network segments based on IP address configurations.<br /><br />5. **Scalability and Flexibility:** DHCP supports scalability by allowing for easy addition of new devices to the network without manual reconfiguration. As the network grows, DHCP can dynamically allocate more IP addresses to accommodate additional devices, ensuring seamless network expansion.