41092 Network Fundamentals
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksAnti-requisite(s): 31270 Networking Essentials AND 31467 Networking 1 AND 32524 LANS and Routing AND 48720 Network Fundamentals
Description
Today’s internet is arguably the largest engineered system ever created by humanity, carrying petabytes of data every minute. It is important for data engineers to understand how data is transferred through the internet, and what are the guiding principles and structure of the data transportation protocols.
This subject provides students with a modern introduction to the dynamic field of computer networking, including layered network architecture and the TCP/IP protocol suite. Student practical works include observing network traffic in action and building their own network applications through socket programming.
By developing problem solving and design skills in this subject, students also acquire the ability to select the most appropriate network services, design and develop network applications, e.g. web server and email client, to achieve the best data performance.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Understand the key architectural principles of the Internet, namely protocol layering and service models. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Analyse various components of the Internet, including Applications, Transport, Network, Addressing, and Data Link, to select the most appropriate network services. |
| 3. | Examine and explain end-to-end packet delivery throughout the network system to gain insight into the behaviour of the Internet. |
| 4. | Design and implement network applications to provide a service, such as web and email. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following faculty Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) and Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 competencies:
- Apply systems thinking to understand complex system behaviour including interactions between components and with other systems (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.), which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competency: 1.5 (A.5)
- Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 (B.1)
- Design components, systems and/or processes to meet required specifications, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.3, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 (B.2)
- Implement and test solutions, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 2.2, 2.3 (B.5)
- Apply abstraction, mathematics and/or discipline fundamentals to analysis, design and operation, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 (C.1)
- Evaluate model applicability, accuracy and limitations, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 2.1,2.2 (C.3)
Teaching and learning strategies
Normal class contact time is comprised of 3 hours per week with a mix of lectures, class discussions, and tutorial/laboratory. In the laboratory a workshop approach is used which combines learning-by-doing, small group and whole class discussion, web research, on-line activities, design and development activities, peer review of projects, question and answer sessions, and online tests with immediate feedback. Student engagement in group work activities requires the involvement and participation of all students. Teamwork that simulates the engineering workplace is strongly encouraged and supported because communication is integral to the subject.
Pre-class preparation activities include pre-reading the textbook and watching video notes. The lectures and tutorials include quizzes at the start of classes, followed by group discussions on pre-reading topics, as well as Q&A on critical and/or difficult points. In-class feedback will also be given on Quizzes, Labs, and projects. At the completion of the class, students are required to complete online quizzes with immediate feedback, online and verbally by the tutors. It is expected that students will need to spend an additional two hours post-workshop, including review, exercises, and projects.
Content (topics)
1. Computer Networks and the Internet
- What is the Internet
- The network edge and core
- Network performance measures
- Protocol layers
- History of the Internet
2. Application Layer
- Principles of network applications
- Web and HTTP
- Email and DNS
- Video Streaming
3. Transport Layer
- Introduction of transport-layer services
- Connectionless transport: UDP
- Principles of reliable data transfer
- Connection oriented transport: TCP
- Principles of Congestion Control
4. The Network Layer: Data Plane
- Network service models
- What’s inside a router
- The Internet Protocol (IP)
- IPv4 and IPv6 addressing
- Packet forwarding and SDN
5. The Network Layer: Control Plane
- Routing algorithms
- Intra-AS routing: OSPF
- Inter-AS routing: BGP
- The SDN Control Plane
- ICMP and SNMP
6. The Link Layer
- Link layer services and implementations
- Multiple access links and protocols
- Switched LAN: Ethernet and VLANs
- Data Centre Networking
7. Multimedia Networking
- Multimedia networking applications
- Streaming stored video
- Voice-over-IP
- Network support for multimedia
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quizes
| Intent: | Test conceptual understanding, problem solving skills and facilitate self-assessment. | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and C.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Quiz/test | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Quizzes covering multiple choice and short answer questions. All content learnt from lecture/tutorial workshops. Application of knowledge, techniques, evaluation, and resources to solve problems. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Projects
| Intent: | Build design, development, and implementation skills. | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): B.2, B.5 and C.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Project 1: Web Server In this assignment, you will develop a simple Web server in Python that is capable of processing only one request. In the Companion Website, we provide the skeleton code for your server. Your job is to complete the code, run your server, and then test your server by sending requests from browsers running on different hosts. Project 2: UDP Pinger In this programming assignment, you will write a client ping program in Python. Your client will send a simple ping message to a server, receive a corresponding pong message back from the server, and determine the delay between when the client sent the ping message and received the pong message. Project 3: Mail Client The goal of this programming assignment is to create a simple mail client that sends e-mail to any recipient. Your client will need to establish a TCP connection with a mail server (e.g., a Google mail server), dialogue with the mail server using the SMTP protocol, send an e-mail message to a recipient (e.g., your friend) via the mail server, and finally close the TCP connection with the mail server. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Final Written Exam
| Intent: | Test concept understanding, problem solving skills, overall assessment. | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.5, B.1 and C.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Examination | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | The exam is in the form of multiple choice, short answer questions, plus system design and evaluation problems. It covers all content learnt from lecture/tutorial workshops Requires application of knowledge, techniques, evaluation, and resources to solve problems | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve 50% or more of the total marks for the subject in order to pass the subject.
Required texts
Kurose, J. & Ross, K. Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 7th Ed. Pearson, 2017
Recommended texts
Stallings, W. Data and Computer Communications, 10th Ed. Pearson, 2014
Peterson, L. L. & Davie, B. S. Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, 5th Ed. Elsevier, 2012
