Overview
This unit provides you with fundamental skills and knowledge in the design and operation of computer networks. It deals in-depth with the techniques used in the Internet to forward the packets from the source to the destination via various types of networks. The unit analyses the Internet and Transport layer functions, with emphasis on IPv4 and IPv6 addressing as well as switching and routing technology. The unit covers these functions in relation to both Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) as well as wired and wireless networks ensuring you can adapt to future changes in the field.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: COIT20246 ICT Services Management.Anti-requisite: COIT20229 Networking with TCI/IP.
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 1 - 2022
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).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate 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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 Student Unit and Teaching Evaluations
Moodle tute questions should give the actual questions instead of referring to page numbers in the textbook.
The tutorial questions will be changed so they are easily accessible to students.
Feedback from Student feedback, teaching staff reflections
More practical networking activities in a computer lab would improve the engagement and skills of students.
Replace some of the theoretical tutorial activities with hands-on activities using a network lab.
- Apply your knowledge in Network Routing to solve problems in wired and wireless networks
- Design IP addressing plans for suitable use in organisational networks
- Analyse the application of wireless network technologies in different scenarios
- Compare and contrast the protocols and standards in routing and switching
- Evaluate and report complex ideas on emerging trends or issues in networking.
Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is in use in over 100 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 at https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html
This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA. The SFIA code is included:
- Systems Design (DESN)
- Systems Integration (SINT)
- Network Support (NTAS)
- Configuration Canagement (CFMG).
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
2 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
3 - Take Home Exam - 50% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
1 - Knowledge | |||||
2 - Communication | |||||
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||
4 - Research | |||||
5 - Self-management | |||||
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||
7 - Leadership | |||||
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||
3 - Take Home Exam - 50% |
Textbooks
Data Comms And Networking With Tcp/Ip Protocol Suite
Edition: 6th edn (2021)
Authors: Forouzan, B
McGraw Hill
New York New York , NY , USA
ISBN: 9781260597820 print ; 9781264363353 ebook
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
Both the paper and eBook versions can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Wireshark - Network Protocol Analyser
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.howah@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction; TCP/IP Protocol Suite; Numbering Systems
Chapter
Chapter 1 & Appendix B
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to the Transport Layer; User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
Chapter
9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
Chapter
9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to the Network Layer; IPv4 Addresses Part I
Chapter
7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
IPv4 Addresses Part II
Chapter
7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Delivery and Forwarding of IP Packets; Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
Chapter
7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4); Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
Chapter
7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Unicast Routing Protocols (RIP, OSPF, and BGP)
Chapter
8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
IPv6 Addressing; IPv6 Protocol; Routing in IPv6; ICMPv6
Chapter
7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Routing in Wireless Networks
Chapter
Chapter 4 discusses basic WiFi
Lecture will discuss wireless routing protocols using other sources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Host Configuration: DHCP; Domain Name System (DNS)
Chapter
Chapter 10 discusses DNS.
Lecture will discuss DHCP using other sources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Switching in LANs and WANs; Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)
Chapter
7 and online sources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Check for notifications of details of the exam in the unit website.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
STUDENTS TAKE NOTE: The textbook listed for this unit is NEW -- is not the same textbook as in previous terms. Same author, but different more updated book.
1 Written Assessment
You are required to demonstrate your knowledge of IP networking, including IP addressing and subnetting, by completing a number of exercise questions. There will be multiple questions requiring a mix of numerical and descriptive answers. Exploratory exercises using common networking tools may also be presented. The assessment and further description of the requirements can be found in Moodle. This is an individual assignment, and no group work or group submission applies.
Week 6 Friday (22 Apr 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Your assignment must be submitted in the format specified in the assignment. See Moodle unit website for details.
Week 8 Friday (6 May 2022)
Your answers will be marked based on technical correctness, completeness, clarity and relevance. Questions that ask you to show your working or calculations or the steps you took to arrive at your answers, may have marks deducted if such information is not provided. If a question requires you to submit a graphic (e.g. a screenshot or a diagram), the graphic must have sufficient resolution to show all its details clearly and be of a reasonable size for normal reader viewing, with all or any text within the graphic being legible and readable, in order to be marked. If a question asks for an explanation or discussion followed by "(essential)", it means that at least 50% of the allocated mark is for the explanation or discussion, the rest is for the balance of the answer.
- Apply your knowledge in Network Routing to solve problems in wired and wireless networks
- Design IP addressing plans for suitable use in organisational networks
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
2 Written Assessment
You are required to demonstrate your knowledge of routing and switching in networks, by completing a number of exercise questions. There will be multiple questions requiring a mix of numerical and descriptive answers. Questions that ask you to show your working or calculations or the steps you took to arrive at your answers, may have marks deducted if such information is not provided. Some questions may require research of technologies or relevant technology trends not covered in lectures or the textbook. The assessment and detailed description of the requirements can be found in Moodle. This is an individual, not a group, assignment.
Week 10 Friday (20 May 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Your assignment must be submitted in the format specified in the assignment. See Moodle unit website for details.
Week 12 Friday (3 June 2022)
Your answers will be marked based on technical correctness, completeness, clarity, originality and relevance. Proper use of referencing conventions are expected and marks may be deducted for failure to comply. For discussion or research-based questions, if you decide to submit a graphic (e.g. a screenshot or a diagram) in support of your answer, the graphic must be relevant to your discussion, be appropriately referenced, and must have sufficient resolution to show all its details clearly and be of a reasonable size for normal reader viewing, with any text within the graphic being legible and readable. Originality means the work is your own and is expressed in your own words. An answer is unacceptable if it is composed mostly of quoted material from other sources, and may receive no marks as a result.
Questions that ask you to show your working or calculations or the steps you took to arrive at your answers, may have marks deducted if such information is not provided. If a question asks for an explanation or discussion followed by "(essential)", it means that at least 50% of the allocated mark is for the explanation or discussion, the rest is for the balance of the answer.
- Analyse the application of wireless network technologies in different scenarios
- Compare and contrast the protocols and standards in routing and switching
- Evaluate and report complex ideas on emerging trends or issues in networking.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
3 Take Home Exam
This final assessment takes the place of an invigilated examination and should take you up to 3 hours to complete. However, a 24-hour timeframe will be allowed in which you will need to download the assessment from the unit’s Moodle website, complete it, upload it to Moodle and submit it for marking. If you have other assessments within or overlapping the same designated period, you will be responsible for managing your time accordingly.
The assessment contains three parts, Parts A, B and C. Part A consists of Short Answer questions covering a range of terms and concepts learned during term. Part B contains practical and theory problems related to working with or discussing routing and switching operations, protocols, or functions. Part C contains several longer answer questions requiring discussion or explanation and may include technical or conceptual aspects of the unit.The exact date and time the assessment will become available in Moodle will be announced some time from week 10 onwards.
Not returned, but viewable on request. Overall results become available on Certification Date (see Academic Calendar).
Your answers will be marked based on technical correctness, completeness, clarity, originality and relevance. Proper use of referencing conventions are expected and marks may be deducted for failure to comply. For discussion or research-based questions, if you decide to submit a graphic (e.g. a screenshot or a diagram) in support of your answer, the graphic must be relevant to your discussion, be appropriately referenced, and must have sufficient resolution to show all its details clearly and be of a reasonable size for normal reader viewing, with any text within the graphic being legible and readable. Originality means the work is your own and is expressed in your own words. An answer is unacceptable if it is composed mostly or solely of quoted material from other sources, and may receive no marks as a result.
Questions that ask you to show your working or calculations or the steps you took to arrive at your answers, may have marks deducted if such information is not provided. If a question asks for an explanation or discussion followed by "(essential)", it means that at least 50% of the allocated mark is for the explanation or discussion, the rest is for the balance of the answer.- Apply your knowledge in Network Routing to solve problems in wired and wireless networks
- Design IP addressing plans for suitable use in organisational networks
- Compare and contrast the protocols and standards in routing and switching
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
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.