48740 Communications Networks

Requisite(s): 33130 Mathematical Modelling 1 OR 48720 Network Fundamentals

These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.

There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

This subject has been designed as a second subject in the Networking Thread of the ICT Engineering undergraduate program.

On completion of this subject, students have learned not only the skills to systematically analyse network operations and performance, but also the ability to appreciate approaches in designing communication and computer networks. The first half of the subject concentrates on the study of communication architecture. Lectures provide students with the necessary background in understanding operations of TCP/IP, the mostly widely implemented protocol stack in computer networks, on a layer-by-layer basis. Topics include: transmission media; encoding and modulation; flow control; error detection and correction; packet switching; and routing and transport protocols. The second half of the subject concentrates on broadband switching technologies, networking design concepts and performance measures associated with integrated services networks. Topics include: local area networks (LANs); wide area networks (WANs); networking devices (bridges, hubs and switches); internetworking; internet protocol; network security; distributed applications; and multimedia services. Students acquire a reasonable understanding of current standards and their role in relation to future developments.

Assessment: Typically assessment in this subject involves laboratory work, quizzes, assignments and an examination.

Typical availability

Autumn semester, City campus
Spring semester, City campus