CQUniversity Unit Profile
COIT11238 Networked Infrastructure Foundations
Networked Infrastructure Foundations
All details in this unit profile for COIT11238 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit will provide you with the foundation knowledge of computer and network infrastructure that underpins Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in modern organisations. You will study networking essentials including virtualisation, wireless networks, cloud computing, cyber security, and risk management. By the end of this unit, you will be able to build and manage basic computer networks. You will conduct hands-on practical activities with industrial-grade networking equipment and cyber security tools to enhance the security of built networks.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Anti-requisite: If students have undertaken COIT11233 Information and Communication Technology Foundations, then this unit should not be taken.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2023

Brisbane
Cairns
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Portfolio
Weighting: 40%
2. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 30%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Discipline Lead and Head of Course feedback

Feedback

At the introductory level, the unit should enhance the cybersecurity content to align with ACS accreditation requirements.

Recommendation

Enhance the introduction of cybersecurity with reference standards and practical exercises linking to core networking infrastructure and applications.

Feedback from Student and the teaching team feedback

Feedback

The virtual machines available on the CyberIoT lab computers for on-campus students, intended for lab exercises starting from Week 03, should undergo pretesting to verify their proper functionality.

Recommendation

Pretest the virtual machines and check the provided network devices in the CyberIoT lab prior to Week 03.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain the role of hardware and software components in computer networks
  2. Recognise the importance of protocols, standards, and layered architectures in building computer networks
  3. Explain the selection of network components, topologies, and technologies to meet business requirements
  4. Describe challenges and solutions in securing computer networks and infrastructure
  5. Interpret the use of forwarding and encapsulation to deliver data securely in computer networks
  6. Discuss techniques for managing cyber security, documenting, and troubleshooting computer networks.

The Australian Computer Society (ACS), the professional association for Australia's ICT sector, recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is adopted by organisations, governments, and individuals in many countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles. ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile.

This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA 8 (the SFIA code is included):

  • Network Support (NTAS)
  • IT Infrastructure (ITOP)
  • Security Administration (SCAD)
  • Systems Installation/Decommissioning (HSIN)
  • Problem Management (PBMG)
  • Information Security (SCTY).

The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework defines knowledge, skills and tasks needed to perform various cyber security roles. Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the NICE Framework is used by organisations to plan their workforce, including recruit into cyber security positions.

This unit helps prepare you for roles such as Systems Security Analyst, Network Operations Specialist and Systems Administrator, contributing to the following knowledge and skills:

  • K0001 Knowledge of computer networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies.
  • K0010 Knowledge of communication methods, principles, and concepts that support the network infrastructure.
  • K0011 Knowledge of capabilities and applications of network equipment including routers, switches, bridges, servers, transmission media, and related hardware.
  • K0029 Knowledge of organization's Local and Wide Area Network connections.
  • K0050 Knowledge of local area and wide area networking principles and concepts including bandwidth management.
  • K0053 Knowledge of measures or indicators of system performance and availability.
  • K0060 Knowledge of operating systems.
  • K0061 Knowledge of how traffic flows across the network (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol [TCP] and Internet Protocol [IP], Open System Interconnection Model [OSI], Information Technology Infrastructure Library, current version [ITIL]).
  • K0071 Knowledge of remote access technology concepts.
  • K0077 Knowledge of server and client operating systems.
  • K0108 Knowledge of concepts, terminology, and operations of a wide range of communications media (computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber, wireless).
  • K0111 Knowledge of network tools (e.g., ping, traceroute, nslookup)
  • K0113 Knowledge of different types of network communication (e.g., LAN, WAN, MAN, WLAN, WWAN).
  • K0136 Knowledge of the capabilities of different electronic communication systems and methods (e.g., e-mail, VOIP, IM, web forums, Direct Video Broadcasts).
  • K0137 Knowledge of the range of existing networks (e.g., PBX, LANs, WANs, WIFI, SCADA).
  • K0138 Knowledge of Wi-Fi.
  • K0332 Knowledge of network protocols such as TCP/IP, Dynamic Host Configuration, Domain Name System (DNS), and directory services.
  • S0033 Skill in diagnosing connectivity problems.
  • S0035 Skill in establishing a routing schema.
  • S0041 Skill in installing, configuring, and troubleshooting LAN and WAN components such as routers, hubs, and switches.
  • S0073 Skill in using virtual machines. (e.g., Microsoft Hyper-V, VMWare vSphere, Citrix XenDesktop/Server, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, etc.).
  • S0151 Skill in troubleshooting failed system components (i.e., servers)
  • S0154 Skill in installing system and component upgrades. (i.e., servers, appliances, network devices).

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Portfolio - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Guide to Networking Essentials 8th (2019)

Edition: 8th (2019)
Authors: Greg Tomsho
Cengage
Boston Boston , MA , USA
ISBN: 978-0-3571-1828-3
Binding: Paperback

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Cisco Packet Tracer
  • Wireshark network protocol analyser
  • draw.io
  • A Virtual Machine (VM) in each CyberIoT lab computer.
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Yufeng Lin Unit Coordinator
y.lin@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 01 Begin Date: 10 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Computer Network Overview 

Chapter

Chapters 1 & 11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 02 Begin Date: 17 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Fundamentals of Network Communication

Chapter

Chapter 1 & 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 03 Begin Date: 24 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Network Hardware Essentials

Chapter

Chapter 2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 04 Begin Date: 31 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Network Topologies and Technologies

Chapter

Chapter 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 05 Begin Date: 07 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Network Media

Chapter

Chapter 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Portfolio: the first draft (10%) is due this Friday.

Mid-Term Break Begin Date: 14 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 06 Begin Date: 21 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Network Protocols

Chapter

Chapter 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 1 (15%) is due this Monday

Week 07 Begin Date: 28 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

IP Addressing

Chapter

Chapter 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 08 Begin Date: 04 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Network Hardware in Depth

Chapter

Chapter 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Portfolio: The second draft (10%) is due this Friday.

Week 09 Begin Date: 11 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Introduction to Network Security

Chapter

Chapter 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 18 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Wide Area Networking and Cloud Computing

Chapter

Chapter 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 2 (15%) is due this Friday.

Week 11 Begin Date: 25 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Network Management and Troubleshooting

Chapter

Chapters 12 and 14

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 02 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Summary and Review

Chapter

Chapter 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

The portfolio final submission (20%) is due this Friday.

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 09 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

The written assignment (30%) is due this Friday.


Assignment Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (13 Oct 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 16 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Required Lab Equipment

In this unit, you will conduct lab exercises with real networking equipment.

On-campus students will use the provided equipment in the ICT computer lab. On-campus students do not need to prepare any special equipment.

Online students (i.e. studying in Distance mode) will need the following recommended equipment:

2 x PCs with Ethernet

1 x Wi-Fi device

1 x Wireless Router

2 x Ethernet cables

This equipment is defined in further detail below. If you do not have the recommended equipment, you are advised to purchase it. If purchasing the equipment is not possible, there are other options. For advice on whether your existing equipment is suitable, which equipment to purchase, or what other options are available, see the Moodle site or contact the Unit Coordinator.

PC with Ethernet: A desktop computer or laptop computer with a wired Ethernet port (also called LAN port or NIC). Alternatively, a low-cost computer such as a Raspberry Pi could be used if it has a wired Ethernet port. If your laptop computer does not have a wired Ethernet port, you can purchase a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.

Wi-Fi device: a laptop or mobile phone (or any other computing device with Wi-Fi, such as a Raspberry Pi 3 or 4).

Ethernet cable: a LAN cable with RJ45 connectors on both ends.

Wireless Router: A network device that supports Wi-Fi, has an in-built Ethernet switch (e.g. 4 ports) and acts as a router. We highly recommend TP-Link wireless routers, with the suggested models given below. A modem router typically provided by your Internet Service Provider for NBN/DSL home Internet is not suitable. A standalone wireless router (that does not have an in-built NBN/DSL modem) is required to be able to complete all lab activities. You are suggested to purchase one of the following, depending on their availability and your budget:

  • TP-Link Archer C24 (best; available in many online stores and some physical stores for $50 to $60)
  • TP-Link Archer C20 (in-store option; available in some physical stores, e.g., Officeworks, Bunnings for $60 to $70; suitable if you cannot purchase online)
  • TP-Link TL-WR841N (cheapest; available in some online stores for $40 to $50)

These wireless routers are suggested because they: have been tested to work with lab activities; are cheap and are often in stock in Australian online or physical stores. Other, more expensive TP-Link wireless routers may also be suitable.

If you are unclear about the equipment requirements or want advice if another wireless router is suitable, see the Moodle site or contact the Unit Coordinator.

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Portfolio

Task Description

The Portfolio requires students to maintain a diary/journal for tutorial practices and/or lab exercises in a computer lab each week (e.g., screenshots, testing results, reflections, etc.). The Portfolio has two drafts as interim submissions, and the final submission for all tutorial/lab activities: the first draft (10%) due on Week 5 Friday, the second draft (10%) due on Week 8 Friday; the final submission (20%) is due on Friday of Week 12. 


Assessment Due Date

The first draft due on Week 5 Friday; the second draft due on Week 8 Friday; and the final submission due on Friday of Week 12.


Return Date to Students

The first two drafts and the final submission of portfolio will be returned through Moodle in two weeks after its due date. Late submissions with or without extension approvals may be returned after the above date.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

The Portfolio will be assessed based on the clarity, relevance, and quality of the regular contributions recorded in a diary/journal for tutorial questions and/or lab exercises each week.

Lab exercises recorded in Portfolio will be marked as part of this assessment, 20% in total (5% in the first draft, 5% in the second draft, and 10% in the final submission).

More details of the assessment criteria will be provided on the unit Moodle website.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The Portfolio is an individual assessment item.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the role of hardware and software components in computer networks
  • Describe challenges and solutions in securing computer networks and infrastructure
  • Interpret the use of forwarding and encapsulation to deliver data securely in computer networks
  • Discuss techniques for managing cyber security, documenting, and troubleshooting computer networks.

2 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quizzes

Task Description

This assessment item includes two online quizzes: Quiz 1 and Quiz 2. The quizzes consist of a series of questions (e.g., multiple-choice, short answers). Questions will be drawn from topics in Weeks 1-5 (Quiz 1) and Weeks 6-9 (Quiz 2). Complete these Moodle online quizzes by the due date. The quizzes automatically close if you have not submitted your attempt at a quiz by the due date/time. The quizzes will be finalised (automatically submitted) at the due date/time. Before the due date, you need to submit each attempt on the quiz to check the result.

You are allowed to attempt the quizzes as many times as you want before the due date, however, your last submission for each quiz will be assessed as the final result.

Please ensure that you record details of your submission (e.g., the received result, as well as the date and time of your submission by taking a screenshot) in case there are some problems with your submission to the Moodle system.

Please note that the questions are selected randomly from a pool, so you are unlikely to be asked the same questions each time you attempt the quizzes. You will not be able to see your detailed feedback on the results until the quiz has closed. To attempt and submit the quiz your computer must be connected to the Internet, although it is possible to save and resume the quiz at a later point in time.

Extensions are not possible for quizzes because the answers will be released after the due date. If you miss attempting the quizzes, you cannot do it later.


Number of Quizzes

2


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Quiz 1 (15%) due on Week 6 Friday; Quiz 2 (15%) due on Week 10 Friday. Warning: the quizzes close after the due dates, and no further attempts are allowed.


Return Date to Students

Immediately after the quizzes close.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

The quizzes consist of a set of questions. These questions count towards 30% of the total grade in this unit: 15% for each of Quiz 1 and Quiz 2. Each submitted attempt will be marked.

The quizzes are automatically graded by the system based on the selection of correct or incorrect answers. Detailed results of your submission will be generated after the quiz closes.

Remember- you can attempt each quiz as many times as you want before the due date, however, your last successful submission for each quiz will be your final mark of that quiz.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Quizzes are to be attempted and submitted as individual assessment items.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the role of hardware and software components in computer networks
  • Recognise the importance of protocols, standards, and layered architectures in building computer networks
  • Explain the selection of network components, topologies, and technologies to meet business requirements
  • Describe challenges and solutions in securing computer networks and infrastructure
  • Interpret the use of forwarding and encapsulation to deliver data securely in computer networks

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assignment

Task Description

The purpose of this assignment is to respond in your own words to a series of short-answer questions based on several case study scenarios relating to the topics covered in this unit.

Note that late penalties apply (5% of the total available marks per calendar day late or part thereof). Assignments received 14 days or more after the due date will not be marked and will receive zero.

You may apply for extensions but must provide documentary evidence to support your request. See the unit website for more details.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Friday (13 Oct 2023) 11:45 pm AEST

Your written assignment should be submitted in doc/docx format. See the unit website for more details.


Return Date to Students

Assessments will be returned through Moodle on the Certification of Grades Day.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Marking criteria will be provided as part of your submission template. Please ensure you read it before attempting the assignment.

You will be assessed on your responses regarding technical details, accuracy, and clarity for the given contexts. 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
This assignment must be attempted and submitted individually.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Recognise the importance of protocols, standards, and layered architectures in building computer networks
  • Explain the selection of network components, topologies, and technologies to meet business requirements
  • Discuss techniques for managing cyber security, documenting, and troubleshooting computer networks.

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?