IT Fundamentals Assignment: Solutions, Analysis, and Project Details

This document provides comprehensive solutions to an IT Fundamentals assignment. It begins by calculating the TCP/IP overhead, including both IPv4 and IPv6, and analyzing the percentage of overhead costs. It then delves into the comparison between TCP and IP protocols, highlighting their roles and dependencies within a network. The assignment also explores the advantages and disadvantages of the Agile method, contrasting it with the evolutionary method. Furthermore, it analyzes the unique design process of Apple, identifying key aspects such as the importance of substance over form, systematic product development, and a focus on quality. The document also discusses common reasons for project failure, including inaccurate cost estimations, poor preparation, and inadequate leadership. Finally, it outlines the roles and responsibilities of a software project manager, emphasizing the importance of team training, strategy development, scheduling, and resource allocation.

Running head: FUNDAMENTAL OF IT
FUNDAMENTAL OF IT
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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Table of Contents
Question 1..................................................................................................................................2
Question 2..................................................................................................................................2
Question 3..................................................................................................................................3
Question 4..................................................................................................................................3
Question 5..................................................................................................................................4
Question 6..................................................................................................................................5
Question 7..................................................................................................................................6
References..................................................................................................................................7

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Question 1
In the given question, the IP overhead of the IPv4 or IPv6 header is 20 bytes by default.
The file to be transferred is of size 1024 bytes.
The payload size as mentioned in the question is 128 bytes.
The TCP overhead cost of the IPv4 is around 20 bytes.
The TCP overhead cost of the IPv6 is around 40 bytes.
To calculate the total overhead cost, add the TCP + IP+ payload = 20+20+128= 168 bytes.
Total bytes that is sent after adding overhead is 1024 + 20 +20 = 1064 bytes.
1. a) Total Protocol overhead (TCP + IP + Payload) = 168/1024*100 = 16.4%
b) TCP/IP overhead cost = 20+20/1024*100= 40/1024*100= 3.9%
2. Protocol overhead for IPv6: 40+20/1024*100= 5.85%.
Question 2
The TCP protocol is a connection oriented protocol but it depends on the connection
less IP protocol for its functioning. The IP protocol is a network layer protocol. Its main
function is to transport packets between two different things devices connected to a network.
They use the IP address of the connected devices to identify them. The protocol does not
know which service or application would use the data that is being transmitted. The TCP
protocol on the other hand is a transport layer protocol. It is used to transport parts of data.
The data are segregated parts of message that is addressed to a specific application or service
and is represented by a port in the device. These segments of the data from the TCP protocol
can be hidden within the IP protocols packets and sent via the network using the underlying
physical and data link layers. This data is again retrieved from the packets by the connected
device.
These two protocols coexist in the same protocol stack as both their functionality is
depended on each other. This is due to the fact that the TCP unlike IP has memory that helps
the protocol in keeping track of the data it transfers. The TCP connects one port to another
port whereas the IP connects one host to another host. The TCP also performs many upper
layer functions. The IP is not aware of these functions or the controls done by the upper layer

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protocols. The TCP can track if any packet is dropped for some problem and resend the
packet but the IP protocol is unaffected by these functions. Therefore, the IP being
connection less can coexist in the same stack and the TCP being connection oriented can still
rely on the IP protocol.
Question 3
The main advantage of agile method is that it helps in delivering the project very fast.
The product can be delivered in weeks instead of months using this method. This happens
because in the agile method, the project is designed based on the minimal requirement of the
project. The planning and designing phase of the project is very limited in this development
method. The basic project is developed fast and given to the clients. The changes needed in
the project are implemented based on the feedback of the customers during and after
development. This reduces the time wasted in the product planning and changing
requirements phases. Hence, the product is delivered so fast.
The main disadvantage of the agile method is that this process due to its fast and ever
changing nature puts very less importance on product designing and documentation purposes.
The product documentation is an important part of a product design. The documentation part
is often neglected in this method of development. The agile method also has another big
disadvantage. The project being more agile can often lose track in the middle if the final
outcome of the project becomes unclear to the management and developers.
Question 4
The main difference between agile method and evolutionary method is that in Agile
methods the changes that are brought later to the requirements by the customer or the changes
that are needed for proper development of the project, can be applied to the project and the
project can be modified accordingly. This is not possible in the evolutionary method as it
follows a single guideline and has a rigid developmental process. In evolutionary model,
changes to the existing system is not possible as once the designing process is done no
additional changes or problems are addressed in the development of the product. For
example, a product needs to be developed for certain tasks. If the evolutionary method is
chosen, the software is developed based on certain guidelines and will not incorporate any
new requirements irrespective of the outcome of final product. These creates a situation
where an incomplete or non-functional product is developed and delivered to the client. In all
other respects both the agile and evolutionary methods are quite same.

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In the agile method, this problem is solved as the new changes added or the problems
developed during the development can be addressed in this method. The problems that
develop during the agile method are solved and the development procedure of the product is
changed accordingly to accommodate the new needs and changes. Therefore, out of the two
methods, Agile method is the best suited for product development.
Question 5
The Apple is one of the most innovative companies around the world. They are
known for developing unique and high quality products that have a strong appeal to the
customers. The apple design process is depended on designing unique products and have
certain methods that are adhered to bring such high quality products. The three main aspects
of the apple design process are given below which makes it so unique:
1. Substance over form: The apple company believes that the design of the process and the
underlying hardware is equally important when developing a product. A product of low
quality with poor hardware and excellent design is useless to the customers. The company
believes that a product should be very well designed with very capable and long lasting
hardware beneath it. The product features and the specifications of the hardware plays an
important role in the current competitive market where products specifications are of
paramount importance. Hence according to their policy, they strive to produce products
striking a perfect balance in attractive product design and its specifications.
2. Systematic product development process: The Apple Company believes that the product
designing phase should be completed before the product is sent to production as the
developers and designers should have a clear idea of the final product before developing it.
The entire designing process of the product is completed from the start and a framework is
developed based on which the product is to be designed. The apple policy also mentions that
the product design should be done keeping the end users in the mind during development.
The policy states that every engineer or designer of the product should place themselves in
the place of the customers and design the product in a way they want to see it as. This ensures
the products are designed according to the current trends and requirements and also develops
in to a uniquely designed product.
3. Quality above all: The apple makes quality products that are of excellent build quality and
superb design model. The company places the highest priority on the quality of their
products. The company is known around the world for their top quality products which lasts

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long and provides the user with the best features. The designers and engineers in Apple
Company produces products which are designed in such a way that every small parts of the
product are designed in great detail. The products are designed in an aesthetic way and is
developed with a lot of attention given to detailing.
Question 6
There are many reasons for failure of a project. The 3 main reasons for the failure of a project
are given below:
1. Inaccurate project cost estimation: The product development depends heavily on the
budget allotted to the project. The estimation of the budget is one of the most important part
of the requirement phase. Once a proper budget is allotted, the project can start. So it is very
critical to estimate the budget accurately before starting a project. If a budget is calculated
inaccurately it can lead to the critical failure of the projects. Inaccurate calculations of
budgets may result in bankruptcy of the project which can permanently stall the project and
cause critical level failure.
2. Poor preparation: This is another cause of project failure. In this cause the team members
of the development team does not have a clear understanding of the project goals and
specifications. This can lead to a project failure and the team members lack proper
understanding of what is needed to be done. This happens when the team has not given
enough time to project preparation and when there is a lack of proper focus. The project can
get stuck in the middle in this type of scenarios.
3. Bad leadership: This is another cause of project failures and can lead to failure of a
project. The people at management level needs to be aware of the project requirements and
how to proceed with it and which people to choose in a team. The full management at all
levels should be responsible toward the proper completion of the project and also help the
project manager at all steps to carry on his job. Sometimes if the project manager is
inexperienced it can also lead to project failure. This is because an inexperienced project
managers cannot handle pressure well and may fail to perform at a high level project. Other
times, it is also possible that an inexperienced project manager is unable to put together a
team capable of handling the project. This can also lead to the failure of the project in the
middle of the process.

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Question 7
A software manager is responsible in keeping track of all the software handled by the
system. The project manager is also responsible for coordinating and overseeing of the
people, processes and the resources needed to deliver new software or upgrade existing ones.
In small to medium enterprises, the software managers are also involved in the software
development process but their main role is project management and coordinating the work of
other software developers. The main goals and role that I would perform if I were a project
manager are:
1. As a project manager it would be my responsibility to train the team and manage them who
will work with the software. I should identify the main skills needed for each and every
development project and then recruit the team based on the skills required. I should also
develop the functional requirements and the market requirements for the development team to
have a clear sense of direction.
2. I will also be required to develop a new strategy to figure out requirements for the new
software. In this process I should work closely with the business managers and the marketing
professionals to identify the requirements for new software. Development of new
requirements are the basis of product development strategy.
3. I will also have to schedule the teams and make their timetables to oversee the proper
completion of the projects on time. I will be responsible for developing and coordinating
product development schedules along with their release dates planned. The software mangers
are also responsible for minimizing the time needed for the product development in order to
get the product to the market as soon as possible.
4. I will also need to ensure the proper allotment of the resources to each and every team
members according to their needs. The software and resources needed to develop, create and
test the products must be provided to the team members. These resources may also include
development tools, communications and computing systems. I should also monitor the
project progress in order to meet the different resource requirements resulting from different
stages of the project development process. I am also responsible for purchasing and providing
cloud computing services to scale up the computing resources needs for the product
development teams.

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References
Cockburn, A. and Highsmith, J., 2001. Agile software development: The people
factor. Computer, (11), pp.131-133.
Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H.R., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.