INTERNAL ATTACHMENT REPORT

DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

COURSE OF STUDY: BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

YEAR OF STUDY: SECOND YEAR, THIRD SEMESTER

PRESENTED BY:

NAME: OBONDI CALVINCE ODIWUOR

REGISTRATION NUMBER: C025-01-1261/2019

SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN

PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

BEGINNING DATE OF INTERNAL ATTACHMENT: 16TH MAY 2020

DATE OF REPORT SUBMISSION: 12TH JULY 2022

DECLARATION

I, Obondi Calvince Odiwuor, hereby declare that the following report is original and the work of
my own hands. It has not been submitted to any other supervisor for an award by other
researchers or students in this institution or for any other purpose.

NAME: OBONDI CALVINCE ODIWUOR

REGISTRATION NUMBER: C025-01-1261/2019

SIGNATURE: …………………………………………………

DATE: …………………………………………………………
ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the supervisors, Mr. Thuku and Miss Nancy who
have given me insurmountable support and advice during the entire period of this internal
attachment. I am grateful for the criticisms and encouragement given during troublesome
moments and the situations where no solutions were coming up. They deserve our greatest
gratitude.

I would like to thank my friends, lab mates, colleagues and research team – Victor Manoa and
Hillary Kwemoi for the cherished time spent together in the lab, and in social settings. My
appreciation also goes out to my family and friends for their encouragement and support all
through my studies.

I wish not to end this list without paying much tribute to the entire Dedan Kimathi university
fraternity and the lecturers particularly those from the department of Information Technology.
DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to the open source community who have been supportive and helpful
during these very trying times. I am honored to be affiliated with them and I hope to create
impressive projects with their support.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO INTERNAL ATTACHMENT.....................................6
1.0 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................6
1.1 HISTORY.........................................................................................................................6
1.2 MISSION, VISION AND VALUES................................................................................7
1.2.1 FUNDAMENTAL STATEMENTS..........................................................................7
1.2.2 VISION STATEMENTS...........................................................................................7
1.2.3 MISSION STATEMENTS........................................................................................7
1.2.4 PHILOSOPHY..........................................................................................................7
1.2.5 CORE VALUES........................................................................................................7
1.3 UNIVERSITY STRUCTURE..........................................................................................8
1.4 OBJECTIVES........................................................................................................................8
CHAPTER 2.................................................................................................................................10
2.0 SCOPE............................................................................................................................10
2.1 SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT.....................................................................................10
2.2 PC REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE (HARDWARE)..................................................10
2.3 COMPUTER NETWORKING.......................................................................................11
2.3.1 Skills obtained.........................................................................................................12
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE COURSE....................................................12
CHAPTER 3.................................................................................................................................14
3.1 RECOMMENDATIONS.....................................................................................................14
3.2 CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................14
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO INTERNAL ATTACHMENT
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Internal Attachment was introduced to give students and researches a chance to gain
practical skills and fulfill certain obligations as partial fulfillment for award to a Degree and to
introduce them to the working lifestyle, depending on the career. Dedan Kimathi University of
Technology has organized 8 weeks of training for their IT students to give every learner an
opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge achieved during the course of study both in the
institution and the outside world.

1.1 HISTORY
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology was established under the University’s Act 2012 by
the Government of Kenya in December 2012. It is a Public University that focuses exclusively
on Technology. It is the successor of Kimathi University College of Technology (KUCT), a
constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) that
was established in 2007. The University offers a wide range of programs both at the
undergraduate and postgraduate level in various Schools and Institutes.

These include: Computer Science and Information Technology, Engineering, Applied Sciences,
Food Science and Technology, Health Science, Business Management and Economics,
Geothermal Energy Technology, Geomantic, Geospatial Information Systems and Remote
Sensing, Tourism and Hospitality and Technical and Professional Studies. The University also
offers diploma and Certificate courses for mid-level technical skills. The programs offered by the
University are approved by the Senate and the various designated bodies like Engineers Board of
Kenya (CBK) and Commission for University Education (CUE) that was established by the
government of Kenya through the Commission for University Education Act, 2010.

Dedan Kimathi University of Technology recognizes research as a pillar of both institutional and
national development and its strategic focus is to provide technological education and create
unique structures for research, innovations, extension and technology transfer. Thus, Research
and Innovation, Linkages and Technology transfer are key result areas in the University’s
Strategic plan for 2014-2019.
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology is already implementing an ambitious physical
facilities development program to support the realization of her vision and mission. The
University has in place a magnificent Resource Centre, which is a multi-purpose facility whose
two phases are complete now. Dedan Kimathi University of Technology has put up expansive
and well-equipped Engineering workshops and supporting physics and chemistry laboratories.

1.2 MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

1.2.1 FUNDAMENTAL STATEMENTS
MOTTO: “Better Life through Technology”

1.2.2 VISION STATEMENTS

To be a Premier Technological University Excelling in Quality Education, Research, and
Technology Transfer for National Development.

1.2.3 MISSION STATEMENTS

To provide academically stimulating, culturally diverse and quality learning environment that
fosters research, innovation and technology development towards producing relevant technical
and managerial human resource and leaders to contribute to attainment of national development
goals.

1.2.4 PHILOSOPHY
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology is founded on the belief that self-actualization, and
solutions to global challenges are attainable through a spirit of dedication, self-confidence,
determination, and best utilization of resources. The institution also believes in being globally
competitive through the employment of global competencies. To actualize its beliefs and goals,
the University is committed to investing in her staff, facilities and systems to ensure an
internationally excellent environment for education and for the furtherance of her aims and
objectives. The ultimate goal of this philosophy is to model Dedan Kimathi University of
Technology into an institution known for world class research, academic excellence, an
exceptional staff and students, and one that harbors the highest level of innovation, creativity,
scholarship and enterprises.

1.2.5 CORE VALUES

 Integrity
 Scholarship
 Teamwork
 Innovation
 Diversity
1.3 UNIVERSITY STRUCTURE

1.4 OBJECTIVES
 To boost student’s problem solving and research skills by studying computer networks and
cyber security.
 To demonstrate effective use of written, verbal and non-verbal communication, employing
relevant knowledge skills and judgment in a respective field.
 To expose the students to the stringent external and internal environment and encourage them
to be productive whilst developing future workers.
 Allows learners the opportunity to work in industries of intended specialization.

CHAPTER 2
2.0 SCOPE
The internal attachment course study was done mainly in the computer laboratories that were
situated within the university environs that is RCL2, CL2 SOB and RCL1 Labs.

2.1 SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

The following were the first activities that were discussed during the internal attachment and it
covered the following:

 Project proposal and report writing techniques.

 Software development – used certain development stages given to us by our supervisor such
as the planning, analysis, designing, implementation and maintenance.
 System analysis and design - Analysis involves defining the problem at hand, identifying the
causes, specifying the solution and identifying the requirements that must be met. System
design involves the designing of the whole project by using the specification and
requirements in the analysis part.

We then formed groups and by the guidance of the supervisor we brainstormed on projects to
work on during the period. During the course of study in the internal attachment, I acquired the
following skills:

 Writing project proposals and formatting of the final project documentation.

 Appropriate choosing of the software program to develop.
 Database management using Wamp Server.
 Connecting database with the written code
 Drawing of UML diagrams

2.2 PC REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE (HARDWARE)

This was the second activity of the internal attachment. It is hard to imagine our lives without
computers. For most of us, the days are few and far between when we do not use our computers
to pay bills, play games, surf the internet, or a plethora of other activities, and that is just on our
own time. Most people need computers to get their professional work done as well. Since
computers are such an integral part of our lives, it is crucial that we take care of them by having
them properly maintained.
 Discussed on the internal components of a laptop. Here are some of them: Memory - Most
laptops use SO-DIMM (small outline dual in-line memory module) memory modules, as they
are about half size of desktop DIMMs. They are found at the bottom of the laptop for ease of
upgrading or placed in locations not intended for user replacement. They have two to four
slots. Laptops may have memory soldered to the motherboard to conserve space, which
allows it to have a thinner chassis design though soldered memory cannot be easily upgraded.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) - It is a non-volatile storage device which stores data on rapidly
rotating platters with magnetic surfaces. Almost all laptops come with installed hard disks
unless on the event of having solid state drives. They have different rotation speeds.
Registers - They are used to quickly accept, store and transfer data and instructions that are
being used immediately by the CPU. It is controlled by the compiler that sends information
to the CPU for processing. Removable media drives - The most popular removable devices
are the CD and DVD drives. They can hold large volumes of information like the Blu-ray
while others store small bits of information e.g., floppy disks which are now obsolete.
Motherboard - This is the circuit board that makes up the entire complex system. It provides
a platform in which other electrical systems communicate through interaction. It hosts some
crucial electrical components such as the Random-Access Memory (RAM), Central
processing unit, expansion cards, networking, video, audio and firmware components.
 Discussed how to troubleshoot a failure in a given unit of a personal computer.
 Disassembled computer components and then assembled them to come up with a full
functional computer.
 Formatting personal computers and installing software, as well as Windows Operating
Systems.

2.3 COMPUTER NETWORKING

During our course of study throughout the internal attachment we widely learnt about the basic
concepts of networking and Local Area Networks. We studied the key devices found on LANs
such as hubs, switches, and routers, and how each of these devices functions to allow for
effective and efficient communication on the Local Area Networks. Moreover, we learnt about
the functions of IP addresses and how they are broken down into Network ID and Host ID
components. The course also covers the various essential network topologies, including Star,
Bus, Ring. We also learnt about their unique advantages and disadvantages.
Moreover, we also learnt about Ethernet - the most widely installed LAN technology - and
learned how devices on an Ethernet network communicate with each other.

2.3.1 Skills obtained

 Installed Packet Tracer software to use for network configuration.
 Changing port priority to control route port and designated port.
 Configuring routers.
 Configuring a switch.
 Setting clock parameters and device names whose importance is for documentation and to
uniquely identify each device in the network.
 Creating topologies.
 Configuring STP; changing bridge/switch priority to control routing.
 Basic components used in networking, their meaning as well as their uses.
 Networking cables and their termination.
 Basic configuration, establishing peer to peer network and assigning static IP addresses
 Capturing IP packets using Wireshark then using internet testing tools.

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE COURSE

 Internet was not easily accessible around the school since the setting of the classes made it
difficult to access any network, even personal ISPs.
 There was insufficient direction and therefore many students ended up using external
resources to learn or gain material from.
 Lack of sufficient computers or devices that would enable students to learn comfortably
instead of forming large groups to share equipment
 Unfortunate apathy of supervisors and reluctance to assist students in need, instead choosing
to ridicule.

CHAPTER 3
3.1 RECOMMENDATIONS
 There should be more devices availed to the students to prevent unnecessary grouping with
everyone surrounding the same machine.
 The lecturers should avoid being dismissive to students that need help since that is a show of
bad faith.
 The university should encourage supervisors to tour students around the university to look at
the connections made to form the entire network.
 The supervisors should be ready with a timetable and enforce a stringent schedule with no
missed classes or short classes where nothing was learnt.
 There should be more supervisors available for consultancy in case the students need help
with software issues or queries.

3.2 CONCLUSION
This internal attachment program has been of great importance since we have dived deep into the
technical skills necessary for working in the external industry. As we continue learning about
computers and the IT world, we should be exposed to more practical projects and professionals
that can help us advance our expertise.

I however, challenge the university staff or the supervisors in charge of the attachment courses to
look into the above addressed issues for a better training in the near future. It has been a
remarkable experience working together with everyone who was present throughout the period.