Student exam questions and answers on telecom software topics

Warning: The questions and answers listed may be incorrect since it is what the
students have handed, so it is the responsibility of each student to check the

answers.
What is the Magic "Glue" for Interworking Advanced Technology?

a. hardware,
b. software,
c. Operation system.
d. all above.
Answer: b.
The Object interface categories are:

a. Object service and common facilities.
b. Domain interfaces and application interfaces.
c. all above.
d. none of above.
Answer: c.
Object orientation helps to solve

a. Upgrading/Changing software is difficult.
b. Maintaining software is difficult.
c. Too many lines of code.
d. a and c.
e. a and b.
f. all above.
Answer: f.
CORBA provides the mechanism to operate on objects independent of

a. Location.
b. Supporting technology.
c. Implementation details.
d. none of above.
e. all above.
Answer: e.
Role of SW in Telecom is Merging of computer and communications

technologies.
Answer: True.
Bugs found in the operations (in latest SW stages) cost most money.
Answer: True.
OO methods focus strongly on moving interactions "up-front."

Answer: True.
How important is software in telecom?

Software is both the enabler and inhibitor to communications systems and networks.
What are the communication software technology trends.

* Software reuse.
* Text based to GUI.
* Rapid prototyping and risk analysis.
* OO techniques.
* Rapid service creation and deployment.
* Workstation in a distributed computing environment.
* Open and standard based interface.
Which of the following is not a unit of the Nortel PLS library?

a) Section
b) Area
c) Subsystem
d) Group
e) Module
Answer d
Designing for reuse requires more time and more money than designing with out
its consideration?
Answer True
Which of the following object interface categories is domain independent?

a) Object services
b) Common facilities
c) Domain interfaces
d) Application interfaces
Answer a
A stub is a mechanism that delivers requests to the object implementation?
Answer False
Which of the following concepts is not a part of CORBA?

a) Polymorphism
b) Lifecycle
c) Inheritance
d) Reuse
Answer b
Which of the following is not a level of the SEI CMM?

a) Initial
b) Optimizing
c) Managed
d) Defined
e) Final
Answer e
SEI CMM is favored over ISO 9000, in the Telecomm Software Industry, because
each of its levels are very well defined.
Answer False
Encapsulation is also known as data hiding.
Answer True
Which of the following is not a component of the Service Creation Environment?

a) Animation
b) Command Line Interface
c) Service Logic Program
d) SLP Editor
Answer b
Auditing reusable assets allows the organization to determine which software can
be modified to meet new requirements.
The unifying focus for all the products that the ASCC (AT&T Software
Construction Center) produces is:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
software reuse
process
data
quality
lower cost
Correct answer is: B (refer to ASCC article p. 25)
Which of the following does DATA provide for the Silver Bullet process?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
evaluation of the process

project management
a basis for improvement
benchmark measurements against other organizations
All of the above
Correct answer is: E (refer to ASCC article p. 27)
NORTELs DMS can be enhanced and have features added without completely
redesigning the switch due to:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the Product Development Environment

the Batch Change Supplement
its modular architecture
the Product Tracking System
software reuse
Correct answer is: C (refer to Telesis article on NORTELs BNR p. 52)
Networks are evolving from simply providing physical transport and dial tone to
being virtual and intelligent.
Correct answer is TRUE
Which of the following is a focus of todays evolving network?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
geography
route miles
transmission technology
flexible bandwidth
None of the above
Correct answer is D.
Hardware is the Magic Glue for Interworking Advanced Technology.

Correct answer is FALSE
In TELECOM, software also includes requirements, design specifications, and

test plan documentation.
Correct answer is TRUE
(ESSAY) Describe the difference between Soft Real Time Systems and Hard
Real Time Systems.
ANSWER: In Soft Real Time Systems, performance is degraded but not
destroyed by failure to meet response time constraints. In Hard Real Time
Systems, failure to meet response time constraints leads to total system failure.
The lesson learned from the 1/3-2/3 rule is to fix the downstream process.
The goal in software planning is to eliminate all interactions.

In the Product Development Environment of Nortel Company, the Product

Tracking System (PTS) stores and manages the products source files, code,
documentation, and data.
Ans: F. Reference: Nortel software systems.
Which one is the smallest unit in Product Library System hierarchy?

A. Area
B. Subsystem
C. Module
D. Section
Ans: D. Reference: Nortel software systems.
For the development of telecom systems, the cost for hardware is usually more
than for software.
Ans: F. Notes 1-86.
By way of API, we can design the software that is system independent.

Ans: T. Notes 1-94.
Because of many hidden interactions, software projects are usually hard to

manage.
Ans: T. Notes 1-102.
Which one is not the advantage of automated processes?

A. Speed, precision, and reliability
B. Process replication
C. Process visibility
D. 100% automated, no human involved
E. Process refinement
Ans: D. Notes 2-7.
What is the advantage of window-based software or GUI?

A. Flexibility and extensibility
B. Multiple screens for manipulations
C. More reliable and error corrections permitted
D. A & B
E. A & B & C
Ans: E. Notes 2-17.
In OMA Reference Model, all groups communicate by means of the OMG.

Ans: F. Notes 2-26.
Skeleton is the mechanism to create and issue requests, while stub is the
mechanism that delivers requests to the object implementation.
Ans: F. Notes 2-32.
ISO9000 is developed by US DoD, and popular in the telecom software industry.

Ans: F. Notes 2-57.
The term software refers only to the computer programs associated with
applications or products.
- False
.
The Waterfall model is preferred over the Spiral model because of its emphasis
on rapid prototyping.
- False
An upstream development model lessens the cost of identifying and fixing

software problems (bugs).
- True
A Service Creation Environment uses a command line interface to promote rapid
development of IN services and features.
- False
The Object Modeling Technique (OMT) produces three deliverables comprised of
an Object Model, Dynamic Model, and Functional Model.
- True
ROOM is a telecom acronym for Redundant Object-Oriented modeling.
- False
UML is a proprietary modeling language and is currently supported by a small
group of vendors CASE tools.
- False
Which characteristic is incorrect concerning typical telecom software:
A. Short life cycle
B. Costly
C. Large and complex
D. Difficult to maintain
E. None of the Above
Answer A is incorrect
In the Batch Change Supplement (BCS) process, which milestone represents the
handoff of software from BNR to Northern Telecom?
A. Design Finish (DF)
B. Feature Close (FC)
C. Ready to Manufacture (RTM)
D. Ready to Ship (RTS)
E. Functional Auditable Combined Testing (FACT)
Answer C is correct
Which feature is part of the object oriented paradigm?

A. Encapsulation
B. Inheritance
C. Polymorphism
D. Abstraction
E. All of the above
Answer E is correct.
PDE development of Nortel allows only the single user access to a specific
program
by making engineers to checking out the code for revision. Once done that, no
other ones can modify the same code.
[True, Telesis 1989 three, P53]
AT&T's Process Engineering Group of the Software Technology Center

Charters are:
- Select a set of best current practices,
- Define a software development environment,
- Choose a platform for software reuse,
- Establish measurement benchmark, and
- Define templates for ongoing process engineering
[AT&T Technical Journal, Jan/Feb 96, P25]
Process focus stifles the creativity.

[True, AT&T Technical Journal, Jan/Feb 96, P31]
ROOM stands for the "Rationale's Object Oriented Methodology".

[False, S1-32]
Communications Software Technology Trends are:

- Software Reuse
- Friendly Graphical User Interface
- Upfront Rapid Prototypes and Risk Analysis
- Object Oriented Methodologies
- Rapid Service Creation and Deployment
- Workstation in a distributed computing environment
- Open and Standard based Interface
[S1-73]
Software simply means the computer programs associated with some

applications
or electronic products.
[False, S1-76]
Role of software in telecomm includes:

A. Merging of computer and communications technologies
B. SW plays a decisive role in latest telecomm technologies
C. Quality and reliability of SW is not yet a major criteria of product acceptance
D. All of the above
E. A and B only
[E, S1-79]
Soft Real Time Systems means "a system where failure to meet response time
constraints leads to total system failure."
[False, S1-91]
As few as 2/3 of the errors will be in the coding and testing phase of the overall
software lifecycle, but less than 1/3 can be found and located.
[False, S1-99]
Business Process Re-engineering first determines what the company must do

then how it should do it, with regards to its existing structures and procedures.
[False, S2-9]
The Integrated Networks is the Network that provides:

a) Delivery, Information and Applications (answer, S1-67)
b) Voice, Data, and Managed Services
c) Connectivity, Information and Applications
Which of the following is NOT a charateristic of the AIN:

a) rapid service creation and deployment
b) separation of service control from transport
c) service logic is embedded in the switch ( S3-5)
d) software driven service/features
If you were to compare the two reading assignments, you will see that there are
many predefined SW implementation processes in common in both BNR and
Lucent. But which one of the following is Not mentioned in BNR:
a) a common set of comprehensive development tools;
b) templates for developing design documents
c) reusable asset repository
d) the management of training and expertise system

(two reading assignments)
The trend of the Network evolution is from physical transport and Dial tone to
virtual and intelligent.
(True, S1-61)
Good software planning can eliminate all interactions.

(False,S1-107)
SW fault tolerance is the task of detecting and recovering from failures that are
not handled in the application SW or OS layres.
(True, S3-83)
The BCS process provides a project management system to measure

development progress and ensure product quality. List the Batch Change
Supplement process
(Readg#1, p54).
How many types of real-time system and what is difference between them?
(S3-64)
What is ROOM and why it benefits in Telecom SW design ? ( S4)
Explain why Encapsulation or Information hiding is an important concept for

Telecom network or NE operation.
( S4-16)
Which item is not part of the embedded software approach?

Proprietary Interfaces
Closed architecture
Little opportunity to add value
Decreasing costs
None of the above
Answer is (d). The embedded software approach has increasing costs. S1-96.
Which item is not part of the open software approach?

Machine independent software
Standard APIs
Open architecture
Lots of opportunity to add value
Lower costs
None of the above
Answer is (f). S1-97
________ are used to stop and measure the status of software projects.
Answer is Checkpoints. S2-4. Professor comments.
________ are put together and used to make _________

SIBs --- Services
Features --- SIBs
Features --- Services
None of the above
Answer is c. S2-15.
The Object Model defines the Object Request Broker.

Answer is False. The Reference Model defines the ORB. S2-24.
A skeleton converts a request from its programming language representation to

one suitable for transmission over the connection to the object.
Answer is False. That is a stub. S2-32.
Specific objects are preferred because they are concise, precise and can be easily
managed. Generic objects can become unwieldy.
Answer is False. Generic objects are preferred because they can be reused.
Differences can be handled via parameter passing. S2-41, professor comments.
If you plan, monitor, document and verify what you are doing but what you are
doing is wrong, then you can be ISO9000 compliant?
Answer is True. ISO9000 does not require process improvements, just process
documentation. S2-59.
An operation is the implementation of a method for an object in programming

context.
Answer is False: A method is the implementation of an operation. S4-25.
UML defines a third generation object oriented development process.

Answer is False: UML does not define a development process. S4-60.
The Integrated Networks is the Network that provides

a) Delivery, Information and Applications (answer, S1-67)
b) Voice, Data, and Managed Services
c) Connectivity, Information and Applications
Which of the following is NOT a charateristic of the AIN:

a) rapid service creation and deployment
b) separation of service control from transport
c) service logic is embedded in the switch ( S3-5)
d) software driven service/features
If you were to compare the two reading assignments, you will see that there are
many predefined SW implementation processes in common in both BNR and
Lucent. But which one of the following is Not mentioned in BNR:
a) a common set of comprehensive development tools;
b) templates for developing design documents
c) reusable asset repository
d) the management of training and expertise system (two reading assignments)
The trend of the Network evolution is from physical transport and Dial tone to
virtual and intelligent.
(True, S1-61)
Good software planning can eliminate all interactions.

(False,S1-107)
not handled in the application SW or OS layres.
(True, S3-83)
The BCS process provides a project management system to measure

development progress and ensure product quality. List the Batch Change
Supplement process (Readg#1, p54).
How many types of real-time system and what is difference between them?
(S3-64)
What is ROOM and why it benefits in Telecom SW design ?

( S4)
Explain why Encapsulation or Information hiding is an important concept for

Telecom network or NE operation.
( S4-16)
What is the real intelligence of the network?

a. ATM
b. Protocols
c. Software
d. None of the above
Ans: c. (slide 1-69, 70)
In the telecom industry, it takes as much effort to develop requirements specs,

test plans, and design documents as it would to develop the code. (T or F)
Ans: T (slide 1-76)
Characteristics of Telecom Software

a. inexpensive
b. long life cycle
c. simple to maintain
d. all of the above
e. b only
Ans: b (slide 1-84)
The major differences between the Telecom Software Crisis in the 1970's and
1990's is that the upstream of the product cycle is seen currenly as generic while
in the 1970's it was domain specific.
Ans: T (slide 1-94)
New software is usually very welcoming to old users.

Ans: F (1-101)
If a developer has good and effective software planning, this can eliminate all
software errors.
Ans: F (1-107)
The challenges of a software telecom manager include

a. Reassign software personnel
b. Able to predict develop cost.
c. Control unpredicted interactions between personnel
e. All of the above
Ans: e (1-109
Why do we still involve people in the Telecom process?

a. The knowledge cannot be derived from any expert system.
b. Creativity which cannot be automated.
c. Interaction between many experts in relative subject matters.
d. all of the above
e. none of the above.
Ans: d (2 - 7)
Software is reusable if other projects are easy to

a. correct when errors are found
b. read documentation
c. debug
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
Ans: d (2-14)
There are two models in the Object Management Architecture, Broker and
Reference Model.
Ans. F (2-24)
A system where failure to meet response time constraints leads to total system
failure is a soft real time system.
(Session 2) Answer: F
The process of encapsulation identifies the boundaries of an object and specifies

the behavior visible at its interface.
(Session 2) Answer: T
The ISO 9000 standards simply require that you plan, document, monitor,
control, and verify your processes. They do not specify what your process should
be.
(Session 3) Answer: T
Most major telecom providers have rewritten their old code to be up to date with
current languages such as C++.
(Session 1) Answer: F
Which of the following is NOT a common characteristic of telecom software?

(Session 2)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
labor intensive
complex / difficult to maintain
high reliability requirements
inexpensive
Answer: D
long life cycle
Which of the following is not included when using the term "Software"? (Session
2)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Answer: E
To deploy OOM well, you should spend approximately _____ of your time in the
requirements and design stages. (Session 3)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
the code
test plans
user manuals
design specifications
All of the above
10%
30%
50%
70%
90%
Answer: D
Describe at lease 3 ways that customers benefit from Electronic Business.

(Session 1)
Answers:
Speed to Market
Best of breed technology
Consistency of features worldwide
Resources to execute customer demands
Global integrated IT
Explain the difference between the ISO 9000 and the SEI CMM certifications:
(Session 3)
Answer:
ISO9000
SEI CMM
International
US Government
1 Level Certification
5 Levels of Maturity
Generic to many markets
Geared towards defense
Focuses on process control
Focuses on quality of process
Explain the advantages to the Open Software Approach over the Embedded
Software Approach. (Session 2)
Answers:
Software is machine dependent

Uses standard interface (not proprietary)
Plug and play capability
Lower integration, verification, and support costs
What is the does SIB stand for?

Service Independent Building Block
What is a benefit of CORBA?

Can mix and match tools within a project
Which is not a Communications Software trend:

a. software reuse
b. rapid prototyping
c. object oriented techniques
d. workstation in a non-distributed computing environment
Answer: d
t/f Polymorphism is the cornerstone in CORBA

False
Which is not an advantage of SCE:

a.
b.
c.
d.
vendor has total control of service creation

sib library reuse
decrease time to market
flexibility and adaptability
Answer: a
List the three types of real-time systems:

1. soft real-time
2. hard real-time
3. firm real-time
t/f Unit testing is the testing of a subsystem or entire system.

False
t/f Traditional service offerings are service specific.

True
List four CORBA features

1.
2.
3.
4.
Interface repository
language mapping
object adapters
inter-ORB protocols
What is ASCC?
Advanced Software Construction Conter is a process-focused software
development organization created at AT&T.
What is the real intelligence of the network?

a. ATM
b. Protocols
c. Software
Ans: c. (slide 1-69, 70)
In the telecom industry, it takes as much effort to develop requirements specs,

test plans, and design documents as it would to develop the code. (T or F)
Ans: T (slide 1-76)
Characteristics of Telecom Software

a. inexpensive
b. long life cycle
c. simple to maintain
d. all of the above

e. b only
Ans: b (slide 1-84)
The major differences between the Telecom Software Crisis in the 1970's and
1990's is that the upstream of the product cycle is seen currenly as generic while
in the 1970's it was domain specific.
Ans: T (slide 1-94)
New software is usually very welcoming to old users.

Ans: F (1-101)
If a developer has good and effective software planning, this can eliminate all
software errors.
Ans: F (1-107)
The challenges of a software telecom manager include

a. Reassign software personnel
b. Able to predict develop cost.
c. Control unpredicted interactions between personnel
e. All of the above
Ans: e (1-109
Why do we still involve people in the Telecom process?

a. The knowledge cannot be derived from any expert system.
b. Creativity which cannot be automated.
c. Interaction between many experts in relative subject matters.
d. all of the above
e. none of the above.
Ans: d (2 - 7)
Software is reusable if other projects are easy to

a. correct when errors are found
b. read documentation
c. debug
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
Ans: d (2-14)
There are two models in the Object Management Architecture, Broker and
Reference Model.
Ans. F (2-24)
failure is a soft real time system. (Session 2)
Answer: F
The process of encapsulation identifies the boundaries of an object and specifies

the behavior visible at its interface. (Session 2)
Answer: T
The ISO 9000 standards simply require that you plan, document, monitor,
control, and verify your processes. They do not specify what your process should
be. (Session 3)
Answer: T
Most major telecom providers have rewritten their old code to be up to date with
current languages such as C++. (Session 1)
Answer: F
Which of the following is NOT a common characteristic of telecom software?

(Session 2)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Which of the following is not included when using the term "Software"? (Session
2)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
labor intensive
complex / difficult to maintain
high reliability requirements
inexpensive
Answer: D
long life cycle
the code
test plans
user manuals
design specifications
All of the above
Answer: E
To deploy OOM well, you should spend approximately _____ of your time in the
requirements and design stages. (Session 3)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Answer: D
Describe at lease 3 ways that customers benefit from Electronic Business.

(Session 1)
Answers:
10%
30%
50%
70%
90%
Speed to Market
Best of breed technology
Consistency of features worldwide
Resources to execute customer demands
Global integrated IT
Explain the difference between the ISO 9000 and the SEI CMM certifications:
(Session 3)
Answer:
ISO9000
SEI CMM
International
US Government
1 Level Certification
5 Levels of Maturity
Generic to many markets
Geared towards defense
Focuses on process control
Focuses on quality of process
Explain the advantages to the Open Software Approach over the Embedded
Software Approach. (Session 2)
Answers:
Software is machine dependent

Uses standard interface (not proprietary)
Plug and play capability
Lower integration, verification, and support costs
What is the Magic "Glue" for Interworking Advanced Technology?

a. hardware,
b. software,
c. Operation system.
d. all above.
Answer: b.
The Object interface categories are:

a. Object service and common facilities.
b. Domain interfaces and application interfaces.
c. all above.
d. none of above.
Answer: c.

d. a and c.
e. a and b.
f. all above.
Answer: f.
CORBA provides the mechanism to operate on objects independent of

a. Location.
b. Supporting technology.
c. Implementation details.
d. none of above.
e. all above.
Answer: e.
Role of SW in Telecom is Merging of computer and communications

technologies.
Answer: True.
New paradigms in Telecom SW development is embedded software.

Answer: False.
Bugs found in the operations (in latest SW stages) cost most money.
Answer: True.
OO methods focus strongly on moving interactions "up-front."

Answer: True.
How important is software in telecom?

Software is both the enabler and inhibitor to communications systems and
networks.
* Software reuse.
* Text based to GUI.
* Rapid prototyping and risk analysis.
* OO techniques.
* Rapid service creation and deployment.
* Workstation in a distributed computing environment.
* Open and standard based interface.
ROOM stands for

Real time Object oriented methodology
Redundant Object oriented modeling
Real time object oriented modeling
Rapid Object oriented modeling
UML stands for

Universal Modified language
Unified Markup language
Union Model language
Unified Modeling language
In what amount of time must Real time restoration take place in

telecommunication networks
More than 50 nano seconds
Less than 50 micro seconds
Less than 50 milliseconds
More than 50 seconds
What is the difference between Soft real time systems and Hard real time
systems?
A system in which performance is degraded but not destroyed by failure to meet
response time constraints is known as a "soft real time system."
A system in which failure to meet response time constraints results in total damage/
destruction of the system is referred to as a "hard real time system."
What is the 1/3 - 2/3 rule in software?

As many as 2/3 of the errors will be in the requirement and design phase of the
overall software life cycle, but fewer than 1/3 can be found and located.
software life cycle but more than 2/3 can be found and located.
Good software planning can eliminate all interactions (true/ false)

0 (false)
What is the advantage of automated process in software?

Manual processes are slow
Imprecise as people cannot repeat past actions
Unreliable
In contrast automated processes are faster, better and more reliable.
Processes can be easily replicated to increase production capacity.
The process can be analyzed and understood in detail i.e. requirements tracing,
backward engineering.
The primary reason that large scale telecommunications system can have an
average life cycle as long as 20 years is due to the high capital investment
associated with the development and maintenance of these systems.
Ans. T: Reference S1-85
The typical job functions of todays telecommunications software engineer

involves the design, analysis, test, and deployment of newly developed software
for the major telecommunications switches currently deployed in the Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
Ans. F: Reference S1-93
The steps involved in a successful telecommunications software product

deployment include Customer requirement definition, Design, Coding,
Integration, Testing, and Operations.
Language Mappings determine how Interface Definition Language (IDL)

features are mapped to the facilities of a given programming Language.
In order for a software development firm to market their product to the US

Department of Defense (DOD), the company must demonstrate compliance with
the SEI CMM and be fully certified at Level 5.
Ans. F: Reference S2-56, Company must use SEI CMM but very few companies
achieve a level 5 rating. The company must only demonstrate compliance with the
CMM procedures.
Which of the following bullet statements does not describe an Open Software
Approach?
Uses Standard Application Program Interface (API)
Target is Customer Satisfaction
Has higher integration, verification, and support costs
Fully Open Architecture (Plug and Play)
Anyone can add value to the products or services, including marketing, technical
or even customers
None of the Above
Ans. C Ref: S1-97
The which of the following is not considered a barrier to software reuse?

No Internal Company Champion
No One Knows the Software Module Exists
Low Quality and Poorly Documentation Software Module
The Not Invented Here Syndrome (Programmer wants credit for creating an
individualized piece of code even though a suitable module already exists)
None of the above
Ans: E Reference S2-11 and Professors comments
Select the proper order of the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) as listed from
Level 1 to Level 5.
Initial, Repeatable, Defined, Managed, Optimized
Initial, Defined, Repeatable, Optimized, Managed
Initial, Repeatable, Defined, Optimized, Managed
Managed, Optimized, Repeatable, Defined, Initial
None of the above.
Ans: A Reference S2-56
Discuss why software is so costly

Software development is often described as an art rather than a science.
The creativity involved in developing a piece of software is unique and cannot be
easily duplicated by a machine or robot. For this reason, software written by
humans is almost certainly going to be error prone and will require review and bug
fixes. Additionally the requirements from customers are difficult to pin down and
often change, adding considerable costs to the development effort if not

recognized early enough.
Reference: S1-101
The Object Request Broker (ORB) Core is essentially responsible for delivering
the requests to, and returns from the objects. In this context, what is meant by
the professors statement Know the What, not the How
Ans: All system calls (requests) for service from an object are made
through the ORB using the object reference. It is not important for the requestor
to know the intricate details of the underlying operating system (location,
implementation, execution state, etc) to perform the operation. The systems API is
meant to be used for this. The API is the what and it is the gateway to the
how which does not need to be fully understood to use the features of the
operating system.
Reference : S2-28 and professor lecture comments
State three of today's Software Technology Trends:

- Software reuse
- Object Oriented Techniques
- Open and standard based interface
(Refer to Slide S1-73)
What is the definition of Software?

Software does not simply mean the computer programs associated with some
applications or products. It includes all the documents necessary to specify,
develop, maintain, install, test, and use these programs.
What are the two major criteria of software acceptance in the telecom industry?
- Quality
- Reliability
T/F - A Soft Real Time System is a system in which failure to meet response time
constrains lead to total system failure.
Answer: F
What are the two models within the Object Management Architecture:
- Object model
- Reference model
What are the differences between the ISO-9000 and CMM?
-ISO tends to focus on the customer supplier relationship.

-CMM focuses on the supplier.
-CMM describes the software process in greater detail.
FAST process is divided into which of the two sub-processes?

A. Software Engineering, System Engineering
B. Software Design, Software Test
C. Domain Engineering, Application Engineering
D. None of the above
Answer: C
What are the two parts of the Process Control System?

-Process Tracking System (PTS)
-Work Product Library (WPL)
How many steps are in the Process Centered Automation?

A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
Answer: D
Which of the following is a danger of ISO-9000 certification as described in the

lecture notes?
A. Substantial investment of time and resources
B. Customers do not look for ISO-9000 certification
C. Cannot sell products in Europe
D. All of the above
Answer: A
Software is the best for integrating and healing telecommunication systems.

(True)
Encapsulation is the core concept of softwarereuse in the software industry.

(True)
Like ROOM, OMT can provide real-time modeling of the telecommunication

systems and services.
(False)
A defect in a software system is when a fault appears during its operation.

(True)
Abtraction is not a mechanism to concentrate on both the essential and

nonessential characteristics in the problem domain.
(False)
The goal in software engineering should be to elimate interactions.

(False)
The purpose of testing is to verify the coding phase of the telecommunications

systems and services.
(False)
A fault occurs when a program misbehaves.

(True)
Telecommunications software systems are often regarded as soft real-time system.

(True)
Calls have hard real-time requirements in telecommunications.

(True)
T or F Software is simply the computer programs associated with some

application or product.
false (slide 1-76)
What are the two components that make up an object are?

attributes and methods. (class lecture over CORBA)
Which is more difficult to foresee/plan in terms of cost and interactions hardware

or software.
Software (slide 1-103)
During which stage of a software's developement is the least costly error or bug
detection?
A) Requirements
B) Design
C) Coding
D) Integration
E) Testing
F) Integration
==> A) requirements (slide 1-98)
T or F The characteristics of Telecom Software are :

*Short life cycle to meet the market
*Costly bugets for equipment and labor
*Large and complex
*Labor intensive
*Strict real-time requirements
*High reliability requirements
*difficulty in maintance
==> false (Slide 1-84 and Slide 1-85)
The purpose of software in telecome is to merge which components?

A) hardware with users/operators
B) computers and communications
C) real world objects and virtual objects
D) telecommunications equipment
==>B) computers and communications technologies (slide 1-79)
what are the two model types of OMA?

==> object and reference model (slide 2-24)
what is the core concept of software reuse?

==> inheritance (slide 2-41)
Give examples of Group 1 tools that are used in telecommunications software

developement.
==> STP, Object Time, Unix, GNU-compilers, etc (slide 2-117)

development
===> Protel (nortel), Plex (Ericsson) (slides 1-34, 2-118)
ROOM stands for

a. Real time Object oriented methodology
b. Redundant Object oriented modeling
c. Real time object oriented modeling
d. Rapid Object oriented modeling
Answer: c
UML stands for

a. Universal Modified language
b. Unified Markup language
c. Union Model language
d. Unified Modeling language
answer: d
In what amount of time must Real time restoration take place in

telecommunication networks
a. More than 50 nano seconds
b. Less than 50 micro seconds
c. Less than 50 milliseconds
d. More than 50 seconds
answer: c
What is the difference between Soft real time systems and Hard real time
systems?
A system in which performance is degraded but not destroyed by failure to meet
response time constraints is known as a "soft real time system."
A system in which failure to meet response time constraints results in total damage/
destruction of the system is referred to as a "hard real time system."
What is the 1/3 - 2/3 rule in software?

software life cycle but more than 2/3 can be found and located.
Good software planning can eliminate all interactions (true/ false)

0 (false)

i. Manual processes are slow
ii. Imprecise as people cannot repeat past actions
iii. Unreliable
In contrast
1. automated processes are faster, better and more reliable.
2. Processes can be easily replicated to increase production capacity.
3. The process can be analyzed and understood in detail i.e. requirements tracing,
The core concept of software reuse is inheritance (T/F)

1 (true)
What is AIN?
AIN stands for Advanced Intelligent network which is a service independent
network architecture which provides important new capabilities for the rapid
creation of customizable telecommunications services by network/ service
providers.
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a real time system ?

a. They must execute in a timely manner.
b. They can execute in any order to reduce delay.
c. They must react in complex ways to external events.
d. They must deal with multiple external agents and interfaces simultaneously
answer: b
What is the difference between hard real time systems and soft real time
systems?
In hard real time systems, failure to meet response time constraints leads to total
system failure while in soft real time systems, failure to meet response time
constraints leads to performance degradation.
What is the real intelligence in the network?

Software.
What are the latest trends in telecom software technology?
User friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI),

Software Reusability,
Case tools,
Spiral Model in Software Development (Rapid Prototyping and Risk Analysis),
Software Quality management (ISO 9000 Vs. SEI CMM)
Artificial Intelligence/Expert Systems.
OO techniques.
What are the characteristics of Telecom Software?

Long life cycle,
Costly,
Large and complex,
Labor intensive,
Strict real-time requirements,
High reliability requirements,
Difficult to maintain.
What is 1/3 - 2/3 Rule?

software life cycle, but more than 2/3 can be found and located.
What are the advantages of Automated processes ?

Speed, precision, and reliability - for similar tasks, machines can work faster,
better, and more reliable than human.
Process replication - automated processes can be replicated to raise production
capacity.
Process Visibility - it can be analyzed and understood in details, e.g.
requiorements tracing, backward engineering.
Process refinement - it can be improved at any levels of details.
What are the steps in Software reuse?

Domain Analysis of the domain areas.
Qualifying the reusable assets.
Classifying the reusable assets.
Storing of the reusable assets.
Retrieving of the reusable assets.
Auditing of the reusable assets (throw away bad ones).
Name few strengths of OO techniques?
OO methods focus strongly on moving interactions "up-front".

Intensive early interactions between designers are cheaper and less risky than
delayed ones.
Once "clean" OO definitions have been made, the remainder of the project can be
managed much like an assembly.
What are the points behind Object Request Broker (ORB) Core?
Delivers requests to and returns responses from objects.
Each object is uniquely identified by an Object Reference.
All requests for service from an object are made through the ORB using the object
reference.
The requestor does not know details (location, implementation, execution state,
etc.) of the object.
What are stubs and skeletons?

A stub converts a request from its programming language representation to one
suitable for transmission over the connection to the object.
A skeleton converts the request from its transmissible form to the programming
language of the object.
What are the four main steps in Batch Change Supplement process?
Ans: planning, development, verification, and field trial. Reference: Nortel
software systems.
Which one has become the preferred development

communications software development?
environment
for
A. Terminal
B. Personal Computer
C. Workstations
D. Mini Computer
E. Mainframe
Ans: C. Reference: Communications Software Technology.
Software is both the enabler and inhibitor to communications systems and

networks.
Ans: T. Notes 1-71.
In this class, software means the computer programs associated with some
applications or products, but not including the documents or design
specifications.
Ans: F. Notes 1-76.
Which one is not the advantage of open software approach?

A. Machine independent
B. Use stand API
C. Fully open architecture
D. Choosing the hardware and fitting it with software
E. Lower integration, verification and support costs
Ans: D. Notes 1-97
In process engineering, Whats the definition of a process?

Ans: How resources are applied to create products. Resources include people,
tools, facilities, parts, and supplies. Notes 2-5.
What are the steps in software reuse?

Ans: domain analysis of the domain areas, qualifying, classifying, storing,
retrieving, and auditing the reusable assets.
CORBA 1.0 is taking a leading role in providing a distributed computing

environment.
Ans: F. Notes 2-22.
All requests for service from an object are made through the ORB using the
object reference.
Ans: T. Notes 2-28.
What are the 5 levels of SEI CMM?

Ans: level1-initial, level2-repeatable, level3-defined, level4-managed, level5optimizing. Notes 2-56
What is the difference between hard real time systems and soft real time
systems?
In hard real time systems, failure to meet response time constraints leads to total
system failure while in soft real time systems, failure to meet response time
constraints leads to performance degradation.
What is the real intelligence in the network?

Software.
What are the latest trends in telecom software technology?

User friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI),
Software Reusability,
Case tools,
Spiral Model in Software Development (Rapid Prototyping and Risk Analysis),
Software Quality management (ISO 9000 Vs. SEI CMM)
Artificial Intelligence/Expert Systems.
OO techniques.
What are the characteristics of Telecom Software?

Long life cycle,
Costly,
Large and complex,
Labor intensive,
Strict real-time requirements,
High reliability requirements,
Difficult to maintain.
What is 1/3 - 2/3 Rule?

software life cycle, but more than 2/3 can be found and located.
What are the advantages of Automated processes ?

Speed, precision, and reliability - for similar tasks, machines can work faster,
better, and more reliable than human.
Process replication - automated processes can be replicated to raise production
capacity.
Process Visibility - it can be analyzed and understood in details, e.g. requirements
tracing, backward engineering.
Process refinement - it can be improved at any levels of details.
What are the steps in Software reuse?

Domain Analysis of the domain areas.
Qualifying the reusable assets.
Classifying the reusable assets.
Storing of the reusable assets.
Retrieving of the reusable assets.
Auditing of the reusable assets (throw away bad ones).
Name few strengths of OO techniques?

OO methods focus strongly on moving interactions "up-front".
Intensive early interactions between designers are cheaper and less risky than
delayed ones.
Once "clean" OO definitions have been made, the remainder of the project can be
managed much like an assembly.
What are the points behind Object Request Broker (ORB) Core?
Delivers requests to and returns responses from objects.
Each object is uniquely identified by an Object Reference.
All requests for service from an object are made through the ORB using the object
reference.
The requestor does not know details (location, implementation, execution state,
etc.) of the object.
What are stubs and skeletons?

A stub converts a request from its programming language representation to
one suitable for transmission over the connection to the object.
A skeleton converts the request from its transmissible form to the programming
Stub is the mechanism to create and issues requests, while skeleton is the
Ans: True. (S2-32)
The goal in software is to eliminate all interactions.

Ans: False. (S1-107)
Object Model defines the ORB component and 4 Object Interfaces.

Ans: False. (S2-24)
Hardware is the magic "glue" for Interworking Advanced technology.

Ans: False. (S1-69,70)
Hard real-time system is a system in which performance is degraded but not

destroyed by failure to meet response time constrains.
Ans: False. (S3-64)
Software Fault Tolerance is the task of detecting and recovering from failures
that are not handled in the application SW or OS layers.
Ans: True. (S3-83)

manage.
Ans: True. (S1-102)
List the characteristics of telecom Software.

Ans: (S1-84)
What is 1/3– 2/3 rules?

Ans: (S1-99)
What are the advantages of automated processes?

Ans: (S2-7)
Which of the Following is a key reason that SW is so costly?

(a) SW development is an art not a science.
(b) Tool costs to provide a good SCE are expensive.
(c) New SW is generally displeasing to older users.
(d) A & C
(e) None of the Above.
Answer: D
Reference (S1-101)
List the key Rational for implementing a Business Process Re-Engineering

Program at your workplace. (Short Essay)
Answer:
*
To Increase Profitability & Marketshare
*
Provides a framework with which to define impacts and manage change Aids
in achieving operating excellence and Business enhancements.
Reference (S2-10)
The Object Model defines the Object Request Broker (ORB) component. (T/F)
Answer: False Reference (S2-24)
Advanced Intelligent Networks are networks that are self healing & Fault
tolerant. (T/F)
Each of the Following are traditional characteristics of Telecom SW except:

(a) Costly
(b) High Reliability
(c) Difficult to Maintain
(d) Had Few Real-Time Requirements
(e) Labor Intensive
Answer: D Reference (S1-84)
Fuzzy Requirements are more characteristic of initial input criteria for:

(a) Long Downstream focused programs such as in the 70's
(b) Long Upstream focused programs as in today's markets
(c) Both
(d) Neither
Answer: C Reference (S1-94 plus lecture)
SEI Level 5 is the initial starting point which is characterized by unpredictability

and poor management. (T/F)
List key attributes of a sound Service Creation Environment.

Answer:
*
Provides a GUI based simulation environment
*
Access to a Service Independent Building-Block (SIB) library to create
Service Level Programs (SLPs)
*
Contains Intelligent network Elements
*
Allows Services to be tested for functionality
*
Simulates network behavior and service interaction.
Reference (S3-30)
The True Silver Bullet of SW is:

(a) Institution of a fixed sound SW development process(es).
(b) A Computer Program that slays Werewolves.
(c) The cumulative effects of defining/documenting, measuring, and correcting
incrementally the SW development Process
(d) None of the Above.
Answer: C Reference (AT&T/Lucent Paper page 33)
Which of the following are Key Forms of SW Fault Tolerance

(a) Checkpoints
(b) N-Version Programming
(c) Built-in Test SW
(d) Recovery Block Approach
(e) All of the above
Answer: E Reference (S3-78)
In the Product Development Environment of Nortel Company, the Product

Tracking System (PTS) stores and manages the product!&s source files, code,
documentation, and data.
Ans: F. Reference: Nortel software systems.
Which one is the smallest unit in Product Library System hierarchy?

A. Area
B. Subsystem
C. Module
D. Section
Ans: D. Reference: Nortel software systems.
For the development of telecom systems, the cost for hardware is usually more
than for software.
Ans: F. Notes 1-86.
By way of API, we can design the software that is system independent.

Ans: T. Notes 1-94.

manage.
Ans: T. Notes 1-102.
Which one is not the advantage of automated processes?

A. Speed, precision, and reliability
B. Process replication
C. Process visibility
D. 100% automated, no human involved
E. Process refinement
Ans: D. Notes 2-7.
What is the advantage of window-based software or GUI?

A. Flexibility and extensibility
B. Multiple screens for manipulations
C. More reliable and error corrections permitted
D. A & B
E. A & B & C
Ans: E. Notes 2-17.

Ans: F. Notes 2-26.
Skeleton is the mechanism to create and issue requests, while stub is the
Ans: F. Notes 2-32.
ISO9000 is developed by US DoD, and popular in the telecom software industry.

Ans: F. Notes 2-57.
The key to software modularity of Nortel DMS-100 switch is:

a.) Batch Change Supplement (BCS) process that provides a project management
system to measure development progress and ensure quality
b.) Product Development Environment (PDE) that provides a set of computerized
tools and databases to link various development activities and give up-todate
product reports.
c.) PROTEL, a high-level programming language that allows software designers to
separate, specify, and develop individual features as modules that can be readily
integrated into the main body of software.
d.) All of the above.
Answer: c
source - Nortel paper, page 52. Modular Architecture
Nortel's Product Library System (PLS) assures software integrity by operating

much like a public library. A software module can be accessed and checked out
by many developers but checked in by only one. (1/0)
Answer: 0
source - Nortel paper, page 53. Product Library System
The Process Engineering Group of the Software Technology Center (STC) was
chartered in August 1990 to:
a. Select a set of best current practices and define templates for ongoing process
engineering
b. Establish measurement benchmarks and choose a platform for software reuse
c. Define a software development environment and choose a platform for software
reuse
d. a and b
e. All of the above
Answer: e
source - AT&T paper, page 25. Silver Bullet Concept
AT&T's Advanced Software Construction Center has found that most software
development problems can be elliminated using its software process to simplify,
define and assure quality of the software. (0/1)
Answer: 0
source AT&T paper, page 33. Conclusion
AIN is Advanced Intelligent Network that depends on specific services to provide

advaced capabilities to users. (0/1)
Answer: 0
source: Bernard Ku, slides for class lecture 3
AIN cannot provide services or features that can be driven only by hardware.
(0/1)
Answer: 1
source Bernard Ku, slides for class lecture 3, page 7
Which is true of Service Creation Environment:

a.) SCE is a GUI based tool that allows rapid specification of new services and
features
b.) Services created with SCE do not need to be verified since the SCE is a GUI
tool and thus eliminates possibility for error.
c.) SCE does not allow to install and activate a service or a feature on a live
network. Another tool must be used for that since SCE is used only for
development.
d.) Enhances service designer productivity
e.) a, c and d
f.) a and d
Answer: f
SCE tradeoffs include the fact that services may run slower than those created
with a lower-level tool or programming language. (0/1)
Answer: 1
source Bernard Ku, slides for class lecture 3
Forwarding to a voice mail system is an example of a hard real-time system.

Failure to answer within specified time period results in handling of fault the by
a voice mail system. (0/1)
Answer: 0
Fault tolerance is not a characteristic of a real-time system. (0/1)

Answer: 0
source Bernard Ku, slides for class lecture 3
T or F Software is simply the computer programs associated with some

application or product.
==> false
(slide 1-76)
What are the two components that make up an object are?

==> attributes and methods. (class lecture over CORBA)
Which is more difficult to foresee/plan in terms of cost and interactions hardware

or software.
==> software
(slide 1-103)
During which stage of a software's developement is the least costly error or bug
detection?
A) Requirements
B) Design
C) Coding
D) Integration
E) Testing
F) Integration
==> A) requirements
(slide 1-98)
T or F The characteristics of Telecom Software are :

*Short life cycle to meet the market
*Costly bugets for equipment and labor
*Large and complex
*Labor intensive
*Strict real-time requirements
*High reliability requirements
*difficulty in maintance
==> false
(Slide 1-84 and Slide 1-85)
The purpose of software in telecome is to merge which components?

A) hardware with users/operators
B) computers and communications
C) real world objects and virtual objects
D) telecommunications equipment
==>B) computers and communications technologies
(slide 1-79)
what are the two model types of OMA?

==> object and reference model
(slide 2-24)
what is the core concept of software reuse?

==> inheritance
(slide 2-41)

developement.
==> STP, Object Time, Unix, GNU-compilers, etc
(slide 2-117)

development
===> Protel (nortel), Plex (Ericsson)
(slides 1-34, 2-118)
The primary motives of Business Process Re-Engineering are to increase

performance and profitability.
Ans:
False. performance and market share. S2-10
Software is reusable if other projects find it easy to:

a) reapply to potentially quite different environments
b) reliable and bug free
c) correct when errors are found
d) extend by adding new functions
e) all of the above
Ans: e. S2-14
One of the themes of ISO 9000 is to document what you are doing.
Ans: True.
S2-59
What are the three dangers in ISO 9000 certification?

Ans: a) Substantial investment in time and resources
b) Management commitment to change is important
c) Process change can be very difficult if process is frozen
S2-61
AIN is a service dependent network architecture which provides important new

capabilities for the rapid creation of customizable telecommunications services
by network/service providers.
Ans:
False.
service independent, not dependent.
S3-10
What are some advantages of SCE?

Ans:
a) Minimum Time to Market

b) Service Reliability
c) Flexibility and Adaptability
d) Service Designer Productivity
S3-39 & 40
A real-time database system is a transaction processing system in which

transaction and data have explicit timing constraints.
Ans: True.
S3-72
A class describes a group of related objects with:

a) similar attributes
b) common behavior
c) common relationship to other objects
d) All of the above

Ans: d. S4-22
What are the 3 risks of OO Systems?

Ans: a) High start-up costs
b) Higher learning curve
c) Lack of OO expertise or architect
S-4-35
What are the 4 phases of OMT?

Ans:
a) Analysis
b) System Design
c) Object Design
d) Implement
S4-39
It is estimated that _______ of the project cost will be spent on software design,
development, testing, and maintenance.
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
Ans. C [S1-86]
What are the advantages of Automated Processes?

Ans. [S2-7]
- Speed, precision, and reliability.
- Process replication.
- Process visibility.
- Process refinement.
Why automated processes?

Ans. [S2-7]
- Manual processes are slow.
- Imprecise
- Unreliable due to human errors.
What are the 5 things charactered by the Process Engineering Group of the
Software Technology Center in Silver Bullet paper?
Ans. [The Impact of a Silver Bullet - P.25]
- Select a set of best current practices.
- Define a software development environment.

- Choose a platform for software reuse.
- Establish measurement benchmarks.
- Define templates for ongoing process engineering.
Oject Management Architecture composed Object Model and Reference Model.

TRUE
Ans. [S2-24]
What are the four Object Interface categories?

Ans. [S2-25]
- Object Services
- Common Facilities
- Domain Interface
- Application Interface
ISO 9000 Series and SEI CMM are the two process certification bodies that
impact US-based software developers.
TRUE Ans. [S2-55]
What are the comprehensive development tools that Nortel's PDE (Product
Development Environment) provides?
Ans. [Managing Large Software Systems paper]
- Compilers
- PLS (Product Library System)
- PTS ( Product Tracking System)
What is Service Creation Environment (SCE) and its components?

Ans. [S3-26]
It is a GUI based development tool that provides the capability to create new IN
services from reusable components. SCE components are Service Indepenent
Building Block, Service Logic Program, SLP Editor, and Animation.
Soft Real-Time Systems is a system where failure to meet response time

contraints leads to total failure while Hard Real-Time Systems is a system in
which performance is degraded but not destroyed by failure to meet response
time constraints. FALSE
Ans. [S3-64,65]
Software is both enabler and inhibitor to communications systems and networks.

(TRUE/FALSE)
Answer : TRUE.
What are the differences between Embedded software and Open software
approaches?
Answer
Embedded software:
Open Software:
Choose the hardware and fit it with software.

Use proprietary interface.
Closed Architecture.
Little opportunity to add value to products or services.
Each stage in product chain can only ask the next stage.
Software is machine independent.
Fully open architecture.
Use standard API
Anyone can add value to the products or services, including
marketing, technical or even customers.
Cost to fix a bug is more in

A) Design phase
D)Testing phase
B)Requirement phase C)Integration
phase
Answer: D
What is 1/3 2/3 rule?
Answer:
As many as 2/3 of the errors will be in the requirement and design phase of
the overall software life cycle, but fewer than 1/3 can be found and located.
As few as 1/3 of the errors will be in the coding and testing phase of the
overall software life cycle, but more than 2/3 can be found and located
Black box reusability is used in most cases in Telecommunications industry

(TRUE/FALSE)
Answer:
FALSE
OO methods focus strongly on moving interactions up-front. (TRUE/FALSE)

Answer: TRUE.
What are Stub and Skeleton?

Stub: Stub is a mechanism to create and issue requests. A stub converts a request
from its programming language representation to one suitable for transmission
over the connection to the object.
Skeleton: A mechanism that delivers requests to the object implementation. A

skeleton converts the requests from its transmissible form to the programming
Pace maker is an example of soft real time system. (TRUE/FALSE)

Answer FALSE.
What are the characteristics of real-time systems?

Answer:
Must execute in a timely manner.
Must execute in strict data-flow order to reduce delay.
Must react in complex ways to external events.
Must often drastically change modes of operation.
All operations must complete in a deterministic time.
Must run in a fundamentally multi-threaded and
environment.
asynchronous
Define service creation environment?

Answer:
Service Creation Environment is a graphical user interface based
development tool that provides the capability to create new IN services from
reusable components.
The term software refers only to the computer programs associated with
applications or products.
- False
.
The Waterfall model is preferred over the Spiral model because of its emphasis
on rapid prototyping.
- False
An upstream development model lessens the cost of identifying and fixing

software problems (bugs).
- True
A Service Creation Environment uses a command line interface to promote rapid

development of IN services and features.
- False
The Object Modeling Technique (OMT) produces three deliverables comprised

of an Object Model, Dynamic Model, and Functional Model.
- True
ROOM is a telecom acronym for Redundant Object-Oriented modeling.

- False
UML is a proprietary modeling language and is currently supported by a small

group of vendors CASE tools.
- False
Which characteristic is incorrect concerning typical telecom software:

A. Short life cycle
B. Costly
C. Large and complex
D. Difficult to maintain
E. None of the Above
Answer A is incorrect
In the Batch Change Supplement (BCS) process, which milestone represents the
handoff of software from BNR to Northern Telecom?
A. Design Finish (DF)
B. Feature Close (FC)
C. Ready to Manufacture (RTM)
D. Ready to Ship (RTS)
E. Functional Auditable Combined Testing (FACT)
Answer C is correct
Which feature is part of the object oriented paradigm?

A. Encapsulation
B. Inheritance
C. Polymorphism
D. Abstraction
E. All of the above
Answer E is correct.
The advantage of the optical switch interface is that it gives you four times the
capacity in 20% of the space. True or False
Ans: True
Software implies computer programs associated with some applications or

products. True or False
Ans:
What would be the characteristics of the network of the future?

Ans:
False
Interactiveness, delivery via multiple media, anytime/anywhere and

information/applications.
What are the characteristics of telecom software?

Ans: Long life cycle, costly, labor-intensive, large and complex, strict real-time
requirements, high reliability requirements and difficult to maintain.
What are the six steps of software reuse?

Ans5: Domain analysis of the domain areas
Qualifying, classifying, storing, retrieving and auditing of the reusable assets.
What are the four themes of ISO 9000 standard?

Ans:
Planning, monitoring/controlling, documenting and verifying
What are the four methods to implementing software based fault tolerance?
Ans: Checkpoints, recovery block approach, N-version programming and built in
test software.
The cost of fixing a bug is the highest when we reach the _________ stage.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
design
requirement
coding
operations
testing
integration
none of the above
Ans8: d)
____ of the errors would be in the requirement and design phase of the overall
software life cycle but ____ would be found and located and _____ of the errors
would be in the coding and testing phases but _____ would be found and
located.
a) 1/3, 2/5, 2/3, 1/3
b) 1/5, 1/6, 2/3, 1/3
c) 1/3, 1/3, 1/3, 2/3
d) 2/3, 1/3, 1/3, 2/3
e) None of the above
Ans9: d.
_______ is the key to rapid specification, development, verification and

deployment of new services and features in an intelligent network
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
STP
STE
SCE
SPL
SEC
Ans10: c)
(T/F): Software is both the Enabler and Inhibitor to communications systems

and networks. (EE8305, Summer 1999, Dr. Bernard Ku notes, Session#1Slide#71).
A:
T.
(T/F): Software is the best way for integrating and healing telecommunication
systems. (EE8305, Summer 1999, Dr. Bernard Ku notes, Session#1-Slide#81).
A:
Highlight the characteristics of Telecom Software. (EE8305, Summer 1999, Dr.

Bernard Ku notes, Session#1-Slide#84).
A:
True.
Long life cycle

Costly
Large and complex
Labor intensive
Strict real-time requirements
High reliability requirements
Difficult to maintain
What is the difference between Soft and Hard Real Time Systems. Give examples
of each. (EE8305, Summer 1999, Dr. Bernard Ku notes, Session#3-Slide#64/65)
A:- A system in which performance is degraded but not destroyed by failure to

meet response time constraints is called a soft real time system e.g. Switch.
A system where failure to meet response time constraints leads to total
system failure is called a hard real time system e.g. 911, hot-line,
restoration applications etc.
Which of the following statement correctly describes the 2/3-1/3 rule? (EE8305,
Summer 1999, Dr. Bernard Ku notes, Session#1-Slide#99).
A.) As many as 1/3 of the errors occur in the analysis and design but less than 2/3
are detected
B.) As many as 2/3 of the errors occur in the coding and but less than 1/3 are
detected
C.) As many as 2/3 of the errors occur in the analysis and design but more than 2/3
are detected
D.) As many as 1/3 of the errors occur in the coding and but more than 2/3 are
detected
E.) As many as 1/3 of the errors occur in the coding and but less than 1/3 are
detected
Ans: D.
Which of the following should NOT be the goal in software. (EE8305, Summer
1999, Dr. Bernard Ku notes, Session#1-Slide#107).
Ans:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
C.
Control interactions
Minimize interactions
Eliminate interactions
A and B only
None of the above.
(T/F): A process defines how resources are applied to create products and people
are often not considered as part of the process. (EE8305, Summer 1999, Dr.
Bernard Ku notes, Session#2-Slide#5).
Ans:
F. (Ans. is people are considered as part of the process)
(T/F): The goal of testing is to ensure that the telecom system/service meets its
requirements. (EE8305, Summer 1999, Dr. Bernard Ku notes, Session#3Slide#85).
Ans:
T.
(T/F): A skeleton converts a request from its programming language

representation to one suitable for transmission over the connection to the object.
(EE8305, Summer 1999, Dr. Bernard Ku notes, Session#2-Slide#32).
Ans:
Which of the following is NOT a unit of the Nortel PLS library. (Nortel Paper,
Figure 2.)
Ans:
Domain Analysis of the domain areas

Qualifying the reusable assets
Graphical User Interface design re-use.
Classifying the reusable assets
Retrieving of the reusable assets
Storing of the reusable assets
Answer ( c ) Reference S2-13
Which of the following are reasons for object orientation

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Graphical User Interface Design

CASE Tool
Software Reusability
Spiral Model Software development
Software Quality Management
None of the above
Answer ( f )
Reference S1-28
Which of the following is NOT a step in Software re-use.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
A) Section
B) Area
C) Subsystem
D) Group
E) Module
D
Which of the following are NOT trends in Telecom Software

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
F. (Ans. is Stub)
Too many Lines of code.

Maintaining software is difficult.
Upgrading or changing of software is difficult.
Makes loading of software easier.
a, b and c
All of the above
Answer ( e )
Reference S2-36
Which of the following is a Service Creation Component
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Real Time Operating definition.

Choose language for service development.
Set up a process to allow service.
Service Independent Building block.
All of the above
b and c
Answer ( d ) Reference S3 -26
Software ensures Network Interoperability, Reliability, and quality, especially in

the Global Interconnected market.
Answer TRUE = 1
Typically in Telecom Software, we focus on maintenance, patching and testing.

Answer TRUE = 1
Reference S1-69
Reference S1-93
As many as 1/3 of the errors in software will be in the requirement and design
phase of the overall software life cycle, but fewer than 2/3 can be found and
located.
Answer FALSE = 0 Reference S1-99
ISO 9000, SEI CMM, and CORBA are process certification bodies that impact
US-based software developers.
Answer FALSE = 0 Reference S2-55
Describe the essential elements of what Encapsulation is in CORBA (Essay)

Answer
Reference S2-39
An Encapsulated software module in CORBA consists of an interface (public)
andits implementation which is private (information hiding). Causes modularity.
The Interface defines a contract by the object with the clients of the object.
CORBA enforces encapsulation by only allowing clients to access an object as
defined by its IDL interface. It doesnt allow the architecture to bypass the
interface to access the implementation
Encapsulation is the cornerstone in CORBA.
Give two definitions and one implementation of Real-Time Systems. (Essay)

Answer Reference S3-62
Real-Time Systems are those in which timeliness is as important as the correctness
of the the outputs.
A Real-Time System must satisfy explicit response-time constraints or risk severe
consequences, including failure.
An example of a Real-Time OS and database technologies are implementations in

Lucents 5ESS CO Switch
True or False: OO methods focus strongly on moving interactions up-front.

Answer: True , S2-20
True or False: Networks are evolving from simply providing physical transport
and dial tone to being virtual and intelligent..
Answer: True, S1-61
True or False: A hard real time system is a system where failure to meet response
time constraints leads to total system failure.
.
Answer: True. S1-91
True or False: Hardware is the Magic Glue for Internetworking Advanced

Technology.
Answer: True, S1-69
True or False: For development of telecom systems, cost for hardware is usually
more than software.
Answer: False, S1-86
True or False: Good software planning cannot eliminate all interactions.

Answer is True. S1-107
True or False: In the past, telecom NE Control was based on command line
approach.
True or False: 800 Toll Free service is an example of AIN Service

Answer is True. S3- 22
True or False: Separation of Service Control from Transport is a key driver in

AIN
True or False: The lesson learned from the 1/3-2/3 rule is to fix the downstream
process.
Answer is False: S1-99

d. a and c.
e. a and b.
f. all above.
Answer: f.
Which of the following is not a unit of the Nortel PLS library?

a) Section
b) Area
c) Subsystem
d) Group
e) Module
Answer d
Which of the following object interface categories is domain independent?

a) Object services
b) Common facilities
c) Domain interfaces
d) Application interfaces
Answer a
SEI CMM is favored over ISO 9000, in the Telecomm Software Industry, because
each of its levels are very well defined.
Answer False
Encapsulation is also known as data hiding.

Answer True
Which of the following is not a component of the Service Creation Environment?

a) Animation
b) Command Line Interface
c) Service Logic Program

d) SLP Editor
Answer b
The unifying focus for all the products that the ASCC (AT&T Software
Construction Center) produces is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
NORTELs DMS can be enhanced and have features added without completely
redesigning the switch due to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
software reuse
process
data
quality
lower cost
answer is: b
the Product Development Environment

the Batch Change Supplement
its modular architecture
the Product Tracking System
software reuse

Software reuse.
Text based to GUI.
Rapid prototyping and risk analysis.
OO techniques.
Rapid service creation and deployment.
Workstation in a distributed computing environment.
Open and standard based interface.

Manual processes are slow
Imprecise as people cannot repeat past actions
Unreliable
In contrast automated processes are faster, better and more reliable.
Processes can be easily replicated to increase production capacity.
The process can be analyzed and understood in detail i.e. requirements tracing,
Name 4 characteristics of telecom software?

Long life cycle
Costly
Large and complex

Labor Intensive
Slide 1.84
The lesson we learn from the 1/3-2/3 rule is:

a) Fix the upstream Process
b) Fix down-steam Process
c) All of the above
d) Node of the above
Answer: A
Slide 1.99
What is the Barrier to software reuse :

a)
b)
c)
d)
no internal champion
poor advertisement
low quality documentation
all of the above
Answer: D. all of the above
Slide : 2.11
Moving interaction up-front is the main focus of the oo methods.

Answer: True
Slide: 2.20
In ORB the requester knows the detail of the object.

Answer: False
Slide: 2.28
Define the Service Creation Environment (SCE).

The SCE is a GUI based development tool that provides the capability to create
new IN service from reusable components.
Slide: 3.26
Customer and vendors are using rapid prototyping techniques to minimize the
risk of unexpected and costly problems.
Answer : True
From: Communication Software Tech paper
SDN stands for Software Defined Network.
Answer: True
Slide 2-51
What is the benefit of integration of the individual features OO modules to the

main body of software?
This process helps ensure that existing telephone services remain unaffected when
new features are added.
From: Managing large software systems Paper
Animation is one of the Service Creation Environment.

Answer: True
Slide 3-30

[False, S2-26]
ROOM stands for the "Real-Time Object Oriented Modeling".

[True, S1-32]
Role of software in telecom includes:

A. Merging of computer and communications technologies
B. SW plays a decisive role in latest telecom technologies
C. Quality and reliability of SW is are a major criteria of product acceptance
D. All of the above
E. A only
[D, S1-79]
Which item is not part of the embedded software approach?

A. Closed architecture
B. Proprietary Interfaces
C. Little opportunity to add value
D. Increasing costs
E. None of the above
[E, S1-96.]
not handled in the application SW or OS layers.
[True, S3-83]
Information hiding is an important concept for Telecom network or NE

operation because details are hidden from the users.
[True, S4-16]
Examples of Group 1 tools that are used in telecommunications software

development are STP, Object Time, Unix, GNU-compilers .
[True, S2-117]
An operation is a function that may be applied to or by objects in a class.

[True, S4-25]
A method is the implementation of an operation for an object.

[True, S4-25]
A real-time database system is/are:

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A transaction processing system

Not too important in telecom network traffic control
Not Constructed on top of real-time OS
A and C
All of the above
[A, S3-72]
In the Nortel DMS code section is the smallest resuable software component.
Answer: True.
The advantage of GUI is that it is flexible, reliable and has multiple screens for
manipulations.
Answer: True.
Source: Session 2.
It is a normal practice that 70% of time is spent in actual coding for deploying
OOM
well.
Answer: False
Source: The BNR paper.
Source: Session 3.
The ISO 9000 standards require that you should precisely specify what your
process will be.
Answer: False
Source: Session 3
In soft real time system failure to meet response time constrains lead to total
system
failure.
Answer: F
Which of the following statement correctly describes the 2/3-1/3 rule?

(a) As many as 2/3 of the errors occur in the coding and but less than 1/3 are
detected.
(b) As many as 1/3 of the errors occur in the analysis and design but less than 2/3
are detected.
(c) As many as 1/3 of the errors occur in the coding and but more than 2/3 are
detected.
(d) As many as 2/3 of the errors occur in the analysis and design but more than 2/3
are detected.
Answer: C Source: Session 1
Status of software projects can be measure using

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Modules.
Functions.
Classes
Checkpoint
All of the above.
Answer: D
Source: Class comment.
The steps involved in a successful telecommunications software product

deployment
include
A) Customer requirement definition, Coding, Integration, Testing and Operations.
B) Customer requirement definition, Coding, Integration, Testing, Operations and
feedback from the user
C) Customer requirement definition, Design, Coding, Integration, Testing, and
Operations.
D) Customer requirement definition, Coding, Testing, Integration and Operations.
Answer: C
Source: Section 1
Write in brief about CORBA.

Answer:
It provides the mechanism to operate on objects independent of, location,
supporting technology and implementation details. Its features interface repository,
language mapping, object adapters, inter-ORB protocols. The benefit of CORBA is

that it Can mix and match tools within a project.
What is the definition of Software?

Answer:
Software does not simply mean the computer programs associated with some
applications or products. It includes all the documents necessary to specify,
develop, maintain, install, test, and use these programs.
It is estimated that _______ of the project cost will be spent on software design,
development, testing, and maintenance.
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
Ans. C [S1-86]
What are the advantages of Automated Processes?

Ans. [S2-7]
- Speed, precision, and reliability.
- Process replication.
- Process visibility.
- Process refinement.
Why automated processes?

Ans. [S2-7]
- Manual processes are slow.
- Imprecise
- Unreliable due to human errors.
What are the 5 things charactered by the Process Engineering Group of the
Software Technology Center in Silver Bullet paper?
Ans. [The Impact of a Silver Bullet - P.25]
- Select a set of best current practices.
- Define a software development environment.
- Choose a platform for software reuse.
- Establish measurement benchmarks.
- Define templates for ongoing process engineering.
Oject Management Architecture composed Object Model and Reference Model.

TRUE
Ans. [S2-24]
What are the four Object Interface categories?

Ans. [S2-25]
- Object Services
- Common Facilities
- Domain Interface
- Application Interface
ISO 9000 Series and SEI CMM are the two process certification bodies that
impact US-based software developers. TRUE
Ans. [S2-55]
What are the comprehensive development tools that Nortel's PDE (Product
Development Environment) provides?
Ans. [Managing Large Software Systems paper]
- Compilers
- PLS (Product Library System)
- PTS ( Product Tracking System)
What is Service Creation Environment (SCE) and its components?

Ans. [S3-26]
It is a GUI based development tool that provides the capability to create new IN
services from reusable components. SCE components are Service Indepenent
Building Block, Service Logic Program, SLP Editor, and Animation.
Soft Real-Time Systems is a system where failure to meet response time

contraints leads to total failure while Hard Real-Time Systems is a system in
which performance is degraded but not destroyed by failure to meet response
time constraints. FALSE
Ans. [S3-64,65]
Anything that can speed up development time or reduce costs for another project
are reusable assets.
True
Intensive early interactions betweeen designers are cheaper but more risky than
delayed ones.
False
The FAST production environment allows for more rapid production, yet careful
engineering to satisfy new customer requirements.
True
Advanced Intelligent Network is a service independent network architecture

which provides important new capabilities for the rapid reation of customizable
telecommunications services by network/service provider.
True
Real time systems are those in which timeliness is the most important concern
regardless the correcness of the outputs.
False
In Object Oriented design, a class describes a group of related objects with

similar attributes, common behavior, and common relationship to other objects.
True
Using software process improvement model will help a company:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Which of the following is not the Object Interface Categories:
d
e
To decrease development time

To meet schedule
To decrease the defect rate
To increase profitability
all of them
Ans: e
a. Application Interfaces
b. User Interfaces
c. Object Services
d. Application Interfaces
e. None of them
Ans: b
Which of the following is not the advantage(s) of OO:

a. Understanding of the system is easier because of mapping to real world objects.
b. Modification to teh object model is kept local down to the object level, therefore
OO system is sage and stable.
c. Low start-up cost
d. a and b only
e. b and c only
Ans: d
Which are the characteristic(s) of Real Time systems:

a. Must execute in a timely manner.
b. Must execute in strict data-flow order to redice delay.
c. Must run in a fundamentally meilti-threaded and asynchronous environment
d. a and c only
e all of them
Ans: e
T/F
Software is important to communications systems and networks
because it is an inhibitor.
Ans: T
T/F
The definition of Software does not include requirements, high level
design specifications, detailed design specifications, test plans, installation
scripts, user manuals.
Ans: F
T/F
State-of-the-art hardware is more important than providing a total
system solutions.
Ans: F
T/F The next generation network will be more complex and less software driven.
Ans: F
T/F
As much as 75% of that cost to develop new telecom systems will be
spent on hardware design, development, testing, and maintenance.
Ans: F
failure is:
a)
b)
c)
d)
A High Reliability system

A Soft Real Time System
A Hard Real Time System
A Strict Real-time System
Ans: C
The definition for an "Open Software Approach" is:

a)
b)
c)
d)
Software is machine independent

A fully open architecture (plug and play)
Uses standard API
All of the above
Ans: D
T/F
The Famous 1/3 - 2/3 Rule means: As many as 2/3 of the errors will be
in the coding and testing phase of the overall software life cycle, but no more
than 1/3 can be found and located.
Ans: F
T/F
A hardware project is harder to manage then a software project do to
the complexity of electronic components.
Ans: F
T/F The goal in software should be to control and minimize interactions.

Ans: T
The standard operations system (OS) to network element interface protocols use
Open Systems Interconnection/Common Management Information Service
Element (OSI/CMISE) protocols, which are built using an OO approach.
1 (true) or 0 (false)
answer: 1
A software development environment is comprised of:

A) Product Development Environment, Product Library System, Code
Library, Document Library
B) Product Tracking System, Problem Resolution System database,
Activity Tracking System database, Test Case database
C) Area, Subsystem, Module
D) Planning, Development, Verification, Field Trial
E) All the above
answer: A&B
There are four stages to the batch change supplement process: Planning,
Development, Verification, Field Trial. 1 or 0
answer: 1
The Process Engineering Group of the Software Technology Center was

chartered to:
A) Select a set of best current practices
B) Define a software development environment
C) Choose a platform for software reuse
D) Establish measurement benchmarks
E) Define templates for ongoing process engineering
F) All the above
answer: F
The focus improvement team's responsibility is not to drive the software

architecture process but to reduce cost, improve continuity.
1 or 0
answer: 0
The five levels of the software process assessment are:

Level 1: Initial
Level 2: Repeatable
Level 3: Defined
Level 4: Managed
Level 5: Optimizing
1 or 0
answer: 1
The OA&M software increases the development intervals but because of reuse
guarantees a better product and service. 1 or 0
answer: 0
ISO9000 is a group of five standards comprised of:

ISO 9000 - guidelines for selection and use
ISO 9001 - production, installation, and servicing
ISO 9002 - model for quality assurance in production and installation
ISO 9003 - model for quality assurance in the final inspection and Testing
ISO 9004 - guidelines for quality management and quality system elements
1 or 0
answer: 1
Challenges of Telecom Networks are a) strict real-time requirements, b) quality of

service requirements, c) proper software process flows.
1 or 0
answer: 0
SEI CMM stands for the Software Engineering Institute Capability Maturity
Model and is comprised of six levels of maturity, level 6 Satisfaction, level 5
Optimizing, level 4 Managed, level 3 Defined, level 2 Repeatable, level 1 Initial.
1 or 0
answer: 0
System requirement and documentations are not to be considered as software.

--- False
Basic service and product entering the European market is required to have an
ISO 9000 cerification.
--- True
Most fortune 100 companies have achieved the highest level (5th) ISO 9000
certification.
--- False
Moduler system development is popular in the system design because it's easier
to test.
---- False
In telecommuncations industry, the quickest method to launch a product/service

is in the software flexibility.
---- True
The COBOL program language was found in the Defense industry.

---- True
Requirement changes in the designing stage is a lot more expensive than during
the coding or development stage.
---- False
The current communications software trends found in AIN are Graphical User
Interface.
--- True
Software projects are hard to manage because of hidden interactions between

software and people.
---True
Critical costs/schedules issues may be invisible to software manager and

resources are hard to reassign.
---- True

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students have handed, so it is the responsibility of each student to check the

What is the Magic "Glue" for Interworking Advanced Technology?

The Object interface categories are:

Object orientation helps to solve

CORBA provides the mechanism to operate on objects independent of

Role of SW in Telecom is Merging of computer and communications

OO methods focus strongly on moving interactions "up-front."

How important is software in telecom?

What are the communication software technology trends.

Which of the following is not a unit of the Nortel PLS library?

Which of the following object interface categories is domain independent?

A stub is a mechanism that delivers requests to the object implementation?

Which of the following concepts is not a part of CORBA?

Which of the following is not a level of the SEI CMM?

Encapsulation is also known as data hiding.

Which of the following is not a component of the Service Creation Environment?

evaluation of the process

Correct answer is: E (refer to ASCC article p. 27)

the Product Development Environment

Correct answer is: C (refer to Telesis article on NORTELs BNR p. 52)

Which of the following is a focus of todays evolving network?

Hardware is the Magic Glue for Interworking Advanced Technology.

In TELECOM, software also includes requirements, design specifications, and

The goal in software planning is to eliminate all interactions.

In the Product Development Environment of Nortel Company, the Product

Which one is the smallest unit in Product Library System hierarchy?

By way of API, we can design the software that is system independent.

Because of many hidden interactions, software projects are usually hard to

Which one is not the advantage of automated processes?

What is the advantage of window-based software or GUI?

In OMA Reference Model, all groups communicate by means of the OMG.

ISO9000 is developed by US DoD, and popular in the telecom software industry.

An upstream development model lessens the cost of identifying and fixing

Which feature is part of the object oriented paradigm?

AT&T's Process Engineering Group of the Software Technology Center

Process focus stifles the creativity.

ROOM stands for the "Rationale's Object Oriented Methodology".

Communications Software Technology Trends are:

Software simply means the computer programs associated with some

Role of software in telecomm includes:

Business Process Re-engineering first determines what the company must do

The Integrated Networks is the Network that provides:

Which of the following is NOT a charateristic of the AIN:

d) the management of training and expertise system

Good software planning can eliminate all interactions.

The BCS process provides a project management system to measure

What is ROOM and why it benefits in Telecom SW design ? ( S4)

Explain why Encapsulation or Information hiding is an important concept for

Which item is not part of the embedded software approach?

Which item is not part of the open software approach?

________ are put together and used to make _________

The Object Model defines the Object Request Broker.

A skeleton converts a request from its programming language representation to

An operation is the implementation of a method for an object in programming

UML defines a third generation object oriented development process.

The Integrated Networks is the Network that provides

Which of the following is NOT a charateristic of the AIN:

Good software planning can eliminate all interactions.

The BCS process provides a project management system to measure

What is ROOM and why it benefits in Telecom SW design ?

Explain why Encapsulation or Information hiding is an important concept for

What is the real intelligence of the network?

are put together and used to make _