SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY P2

2017

MARKING GUIDELINES

MARKS: 150

These marking guidelines consist of 12 pages.

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Information Technology/P2 2 DBE/2017
SCE – Marking Guidelines

SECTION A: SHORT QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1

1.1 1.1.1 D (1)

1.1.2 B (1)

1.1.3 D (1)

1.1.4 B (1)

1.1.5 D (1)

1.2 1.2.1 CAP/Data bundle  (1)

1.2.2 Blog/Weblog (1)

1.2.3 Cracker/Hacker (1)

1.2.4 DNS (Domain Name System)  (1)

1.2.5 HTTPS/SSL  (1)

1.2.6 Flashing  the ROM (1)

1.2.7 Instant messaging (IM) (1)

1.2.8 MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3) (1)

1.2.9 Piggybacking (1)

1.2.10 POST (Power-on-self-test) (1)

TOTAL SECTION A: 15

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Information Technology/P2 3 DBE/2017
SCE – Marking Guidelines

SECTION B: SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES

QUESTION 2

2.1 Any TWO reasons for using thin clients: 

• Less hardware required making it cheaper/Do not need very powerful
hardware as processing is done by server
• Less physical space required
• Software only needs to be installed on server/Programs are loaded onto
and shared from server
• Reduced security threat (2)

2.2 2.2.1 On the ROM chip  (OR another type of ROM) (1)

2.2.2 Any TWO functions of BIOS: 

• Check that all hardware is connected and in working order/POST
• Provide user with a menu of setup options for configuration at
lowest level/CMOS settings
• Locate and load operating system
• Controls hardware at low level (2)

2.3 2.3.1 Multiprocessing  (1)

2.3.2(a) The main aim is prevent a slower medium  from slowing down the
performance of the faster medium.  (2)

2.3.2(b) Disk caching:

Every hard drive has built-in fast high speed memory (RAM) 
which is used to cache data read from/written to the hard drive and
therefore speed up subsequent calls  for the same code/data from
the hard drive. (2)

2.3.3 Any ONE: (Naming)  (explanation) 

• Increase RAM/memory – to hold more data and instructions/less
use of virtual memory
• Use an SSD instead of conventional HDD - faster access speeds
• Better graphics card – faster generation of images and less load
on CPU
• Replace old motherboard with a new board with higher bus
speeds – faster data transfer
• Multi core processor - replacing single core with multi core
processor (2)

2.4 Converts/translates/changes source code/high level language code  into

machine code that is understandable by the CPU.

NOTE:
To create the executable program copy (exe-file) is incorrect as it is not the
common task. (2)

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Information Technology/P2 4 DBE/2017
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2.5 Any TWO aspects that need consideration: 

• Compatibility
• Cost
• Software requirements (2)

2.6 2.6.1 Any TWO ways of decreasing electricity usage: 

• Decrease brightness settings of the screen
• Unplug chargers when not in use
• Change the balance between power consumption and
performance
• Set devices on sleep/hibernate mode
• Buy energy efficient devices (2)

2.6.2 Any TWO benefits: 

• Greater productivity - time is saved by producing electronic
documents vs type writers/Electronic communication enhance
productivity
• Information availability – access to current/accurate
data/availability of information on the web
• Fewer employees – will save on payroll expenses
• Cost saving - do not have to print everything which saves paper

NOTE:
Do not award marks for repetition of the same concept or any
reference to use of Internet. (2)

2.7 2.7.1 Any TWO 

Effective backup program includes the following:
• Create a schedule to backup files/Remember to make regular
(daily, weekly and monthly) backups
• Choosing to only backup files that have changed since last
backup
• Use incremental backup
• Compressing files to save space on the backup media
• Do not save the backup on the same computer hard drive
• Keep your backup media saved preferably off-site
• Backup only user data as software may be reinstalled (2)

2.7.2 Disk fragmentation of hard drive occurs when: complete computer

files are not saved in consecutive clusters on the hard drive. (1)

2.8 Any TWO 

• Small physical dimensions
• No moving parts/more robust
• Faster data access
• Uses less electricity (2)

TOTAL SECTION B: 25

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Information Technology/P2 5 DBE/2017
SCE – Marking Guidelines

SECTION C: COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES

QUESTION 3

3.1 3.1.1 Any TWO :

• Easy to install
• UTP is cheaper than fibre
• Flexibility (2)

3.1.2 Router 

Also accept: Any type of modem (1)

3.1.3 Star  (1)

3.2 Any TWO advantages using a client-server network: 

• More sophisticated security
• Better performance (faster)
• Large storage on server so other computers on the network do not need a
large hard disk
• More suitable for a large number of/multiple computers/users (2)

3.3 3.3.1 Any ONE reason for updated software: 

• Fix flaws that make the computer vulnerable to hackers
• Fix bugs that could cause a loss of data if program crashes
• Close security loopholes
• Add new features to existing software (1)

3.3.2 Any TWO responsibilities of system administrator: 

• Make regular backups
• Create/delete users
• Manage/monitoring users rights
• Routine maintenance of files/housekeeping
• Adding/installing hardware (2)

3.4 3.4.1 Password protection: to prevent unauthorized access/changes to

the data . (1)

3.4.2 Malware is: software that is specifically designed to install itself

without the user's knowledge to negatively affect the computer
system. 

NOTE - Do not accept examples. (2)

3.4.3 A firewall provides security by monitoring the communication and

ports to prevent unauthorised access  through these ports and
to the network. (2)

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Information Technology/P2 6 DBE/2017
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3.5 3.5.1 Cookie is a text file  that is saved locally on the hard drive after
visiting a web site, with configuration settings reflecting the user's
preferences.  (2)

3.5.2 A dynamic webpage are created by software running on the

webserver each time they are accessed. 
When a dynamic web page is accessed by different users they will
see different content.  (2)

3.5.3 Cascading style sheet (CSS) contains the formats for how a
particular object should be displayed in a Web browser  and
therefore the developer does not have to code separate web pages
for individual user configurations/preferences for example:
different colour schemes (2)

3.5.4(a) Authenticate the identity of the person/organisation/website  (1)

3.5.4(b) Any TWO 

• Owners public key
• Owners name
• Country of origin
• Date of issue
• Expiry date of public key
• Name of issuer
• Serial number of certificate
• Digital signature of issuer (2)

TOTAL SECTION C: 23

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Information Technology/P2 7 DBE/2017
SCE – Marking Guidelines

SECTION D: DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

QUESTION 4

4.1 Oracle  (1)

4.2 Any TWO 
• Data integrity
• Data independence
• Data security
• Data redundancy (2)
4.3 4.3.1 Record – collection of fields/1 row of data/particulars of an entity  (1)

4.3.2 StartDate or EndDate 

Text must change to DateTime data type
NOTE: GuideTelNum cannot be changed (2)

4.3.3(a) Update anomaly:

If the telephone number of the tour guide Kajal Singh changes
the information must be changed in all the records where Kajal
Singh is the tour guide. 

Concepts:
• Telephone number changes
• Update many records (2)

4.3.3(b) Split the table into more than one table 

Each table must have a primary key 
Create a 1 to many relationship between the tables  (3)

4.3.4 All the records from the table are deleted

NOTE: Do not accept the table is deleted (2)

4.4 The data is mirrored/duplicated  in parallel sets of data so that if one set fails
the other will be able to be used.  (2)

4.5 Data mining - Software is used to identify trends/patterns  in the vast

amount of data  (2)

4.6 A hacker types a SQL statement  in a data field/query parameter instead of

the required data.  (2)

4.7 4.7.1 Any TWO of: 

• Prevents data traffic congestion on a single server
• Prevents unnecessary transfer of data
• System will not be down if a single computer fails (2)

4.7.2 Duplication 
Partitioning  (2)
TOTAL SECTION D: 23

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Information Technology/P2 8 DBE/2017
SCE – Marking Guidelines

SECTION E: SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT

QUESTION 5
5.1 5.1.1(a) 1) Combo box/List box/Radio group/Radio button
2) Spin edit/Spinner/Slider
3) Check box/Combo box/Radio group/Radio button  (3)

5.1.1(b) Any TWO 

• Client name
• Date of visit
• Start Date
• End date
• Number of days

Any other valid example. (2)

5.1.2(a) (i) Validate data – The data meets the requirement for a specific
format/range/data type

(ii) Verified data – The user has confirmed that the correct option
was selected/correct data was entered.  (2)

5.1.2(b) The accommodation can only be selected  from the selection

component’s list of acceptable values. (1)

5.2 5.2.1 Logical error – although the program runs when executed  it
produces incorrect results/output  (2)
5.2.2(a) • X ← counter1
• Y ← 3 OR (Delphi – counter2 + 1)

Also accept:
arrNumbers[counter1, 3] ← total (2)

5.2.2(b) A  (between lines 6 and 7) (1)

5.2.3 2 For counter2 ← 1 to 2 

3 total ← 0
4 For counter1 ←1 to 12 
5 total ← total + arrVisitors [counter1,counter2]

NOTE: Ensure that indexes have not been swapped in line 5. (2)

5.2.4 temp  arrVisitors[5,1] 

arrVisitors[5,1]  arrVisitors[5,2] 
arrVisitors[5,2]  temp  (3)

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Information Technology/P2 9 DBE/2017
SCE – Marking Guidelines

5.3. 5.3.1 Object Oriented Programming  (1)

5.3.2 It is used to instantiate an object  (1)

5.3.3 The number of days can be calculated  from the other

fields/attributes. (1)

5.3.4 It is only available in the object class. 

Or
Not accessible from the driver class or from other classes (1)

5.3.5 To change the start date field/attribute  in the object if the original
starting date of the booking changed (2)

5.3.6 A toString method is used to combine all the attributes of the object
 as a single string (2)

TOTAL SECTION E: 26

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Information Technology/P2 10 DBE/2017
SCE – Marking Guidelines

SECTION F: INTEGRATED SCENARIO

QUESTION 6

6.1 6.1.1 Any ONE motivation for using mobile devices: 

• Convergence/many functions in one devices
• Can access e-mail
• Can open and view certain documents
• Personal organiser
• Online banking

Do not accept reference to the size/mobility/portability (1)

6.1.2 Any TWO disadvantages using smartphones: 

• Difficult to input data on a small screen
• Limited battery life - need to be charged regularly
• Mobile operating system limits the applications
• Not easily expandable with peripherals
• Cost of the data used on the phone (2)

6.1.3 Online syncing service (1)

6.2 Any TWO methods of gaining access: 

• Biometric scanners
• RFID cards
• NFC cards
• Keypads with passwords (2)

6.3 6.3.1 Acceptable Use Policy  (1)

6.3.2 Any TWO of the following: 

• What storage devices may be used
• Which websites may not be visited (internet usage)
• When computers may be used
• What e-mail may be used for
• What actions will be taken against violation of policy

Any other valid example (2)

6.3.3 • Use company time for personal use/distraction by continuous

interruption of media alerts
• Misuse of company resources like bandwidth (2)

6.4 6.4.1 Intranet is:

• a local private network 
• is available on a browser as webpages

OR
The company documents are available through webpages/internet
type of environment to the travel agents with access rights on the
companies private network (2)

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Information Technology/P2 11 DBE/2017
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6.4.2 Log on to a VPN  (1)

6.5 6.5.1 Any ONE of 

NIC allows the computer to connect to the network.
NIC controls the flow of data to the network (1)

6.5.2 The purpose of MAC address is to ensure that the network device
has a unique address (1)

6.6 6.6.1 Take a photo using a smartphone/digital camera  (1)

6.6.2 Any TWO reasons for networking devices: 

• Sharing of documents via a NAS
• Sharing software
• Ease of communication
• Sharing of data/documents
• Centralization of data
• Improved management of devices and resources (2)

6.6.3 Any ONE 

• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi
• Also accept any wireless connection (1)

6.7 6.7.1 Any ONE 

• Web browser which runs a cloud based interface
• Installable front-end interface/application/app (1)

6.7.2 Any TWO advantages of SaaS: 

• Rent the software instead of purchasing a license
• Can be installed on multiple devices
• Can use cloud version on any device
• Have access to a certain amount of cloud based storage
• Updates are done automatically/always have latest version
• Accessible from any device with Internet access (2)

6.7.3 The resources of powerful computers are shared among multiple

users – virtual server 
OR
The resources of many computers are combined to create a super
powerful service - to appear as if it is a single machine (2)

6.7.4 Any TWO disadvantages of cloud computing: 

• Need Internet connection/stable connection
• Security of data
• Free storage is limited
• Need to be online to collaborate
• Is only available as long as company supplying service is in
existence
• Data costs (2)

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Information Technology/P2 12 DBE/2017
SCE – Marking Guidelines

6.8 6.8.1 Data is scrambled  according to an specific algorithm  (2)

6.8.2 Public key encryption method: Uses a Public key to encrypt  data
and a Private key (secret/hidden) to decrypt  data. (2)

6.8.3 Any ONE disadvantage of using BitCoin: 

• Transactions cannot be cancelled/reversed
• No person/entity is accountable
• Need to register online as a user (1)

6.9 6.9.1 Peer-to-peer protocol  to transfer and share large files  across a
network/Internet (2)

6.9.2 Any TWO benefits of using BitTorrents: 

• Many users can download popular files quickly
• A single person is not responsible for all the costs of making files
available for downloading (hosting)/Reduced cost to the host
• Some equality in sharing – as a user downloads files it is also
made available for other users to download/share from this
computer
• Effective use of download bandwidth
• Client software is usually free (2)

6.10 Any TWO: 

• Downloading of Freeware
• Downloading of Shareware/demos
• Downloading registered Propriety software (2)

TOTAL SECTION E: 38
GRAND TOTAL: 150

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