Computer Networks for the
Electrical FE Exam

by Justin Kauwale, P.E.

Introduction

Computer Networks accounts for approximately 3 to 5 questions on the Electrical FE exam. These questions can cover routing, switching, network topologies, frameworks, models and local area networks.

The NCEES FE Reference Handbook has about two pages on computer networks. There are a few equations within these pages, but the equations are vague and it may be difficult to imagine a problem using those equations. However, this section will explain in more detail the subtopics from the NCEES outline, in order to supplement the information that is presented in the handbook. This section will give examples and insight into the type of questions that can be asked on these subtopics. It is unlikely that the answers to the actual FE exam problems will be a simple look-up into the two pages on computer networks. You will most likely need a deeper understanding of the topics to answer these questions.



2.0 ROUTING AND SWITCHING



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

3.0 NETWORK TOPOLOGIES/FRAMEWORKS/MODELS



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

4.0 LOCAL AREA NETWORKS



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

5.0 ERROR CODING



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

6.0 DELAYS IN COMPUTER NETWORKS



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

7.0 AUTOMATIC REQUEST FOR RETRANSMISSION (ARQ)



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

8.0 SHANNON CHANNEL CAPACITY FORMULA



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

9.0 CRYPTOSYSTEMS



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

10.0 Practice Problems

10.1 PRACTICE PROBLEM 1 –



10.2 PRACTICE PROBLEM 2 –



10.3 PRACTICE PROBLEM 3 -



Practice Problems 4 through 5 and all solutions included in the technical study guide, along with many more practice exam problems.

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