31270 Networking Essentials

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Information Technology: Electrical and Data Engineering
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Anti-requisite(s): 31467 Networking 1 AND 32524 LANS and Routing AND 41092 Networks Fundamentals AND 48720 Network Fundamentals

Recommended studies: some knowledge of computer networking is useful but not essential

Description

Computer networks are now business critical in all modern organisations and business enterprises. They are important in everyday life. This subject introduces students to the fundamental issues in modern data communications and computer networks. This is essential knowledge for all users of IT, IT professionals and those who wish to specialise in computer networking. Students learn about the layered networking model and are introduced to networking devices and protocols. They learn how these are used in computer networks and in net-based application programs. The primary focus of this subject is Local Area Networks (LAN). Student practical work includes designing and building simple peer-to-peer networks and LANs that are connected to the Internet. The core set of protocols employed on the global Internet, TCP/IP, is studied.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	Explain the characteristics and functions of each layer of the?OSI?model in the network, and describe how data is moved across network, specifically, those relevant to the Internet Protocol.
2.	Describe and contrast the fundamentals of networking processes within and between networking hardware (packet forwarding with routers;?frame forwarding of switches; media?connections?between routers, switches and PCs).
3.	Explain basic components of a?Cisco?router and a?Cisco?switch, and use?Cisco?IOS?commands to complete configuration, management and troubleshooting tasks for: Basic?router, switch and host TCP/IP?configuration; & Enabling basic security on these devices.
4.	Apply?VLSM?Addressing to an Internet Protocol?v4?(IPv4) Address given design criteria.
5.	Demonstrate proficiency in designing and implementing a hierarchical?IPv4?and?IPv6?addressing scheme.
6.	Recognise and make suitable choices for physical networking equipment and media, and build a small network.
7.	Demonstrate teamwork capability and communication skills.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

• Identify, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs. (A.1)
• Establish priorities and goals (A.2)
• Apply systems thinking to understand complex system behaviour including interactions between components and with other systems (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business, etc.) (A.5)
• Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies (B.1)
• Design components, systems and/or processes to meet required specifications (B.2)
• Apply decision-making methodologies to evaluate solutions for efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability (B.4)
• Implement and test solutions (B.5)
• Demonstrate research skills (B.6)
• Evaluate model applicability, accuracy and limitations (C.3)
• Manage own time and processes effectively by prioritising competing demands to achieve personal goals (D.1)
• Identify and apply relevant project management methodologies (E.3)

Teaching and learning strategies

Normal class contact time is comprised of 3 hours tutorial/laboratory session per week. 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 activities, question and answer sessions, and on-line tests with immediate feedback. It is expected that students will need to spend an additional three hours in self-directed study for each lab session.

As noted above, the workload for this subject will require students to exercise considerable diligence and to strive for efficient utilisation of class time and laboratory facilities.  Accordingly, all computer activities which are not directly and expressly related to the curriculum are strictly prohibited in all networking labs.  Any detected infringement will result in immediate expulsion from the laboratory.

Content (topics)

1: Exploring the Network

· Networks and their Impact on our lives

· Providing Network Resources – Server, Clients & Peer-to-Peer Environments

· Components of a network – Devices, Media & Services

· LANs, WANs Intranets, Extranets and the Internet

· Reliability consideration for a network

2: Configuring a Network Operating System

· Operating Systems and their basic command structures

· Basic communication across networked media

· Configuring IP Addresses between end hosts

· Verification of Connectivity between end devices

3: Network Protocols and Communications

· Rules – How are they used to facilitate communication

· Protocols and Standards – How are they used to establish interoperability for Network Communication

4: Network Access

· Explain how physical layer protocols supports communications across data networks

· Build a simple network

· Explain the role of the data link layer for Communications

· Compare media access control techniques and logical topologies

5: Ethernet

· Understand the Ethernet SubLayers

· Describe the purpose and characteristics of the Ethernet MAC address

· Define and clarify the purpose of ARP

· Understand Basic Switching Concepts

6: Network Layer

· IPv4 Addressing

· Networks – Dividing Hosts into Groups

· Routing – How Our Data Packets are Handled

· Routing Process – How routes are Learned

· IPv6 Addressing

7: IP Addressing

· Calculating binary numbers

· Network, Host and Broadcast Addresses for IPv6

· Unicast and Broadcast Transmissions

· Public and Private Addresses

· The need for IPv6

· IPv6 Addresses, Link local, Global Unicast

· IPv6 configuration

· Configuring IPv6 routing

8: Subnetting IP Networks

· IPv4 Addresses

· Addresses for Different Purposes

· Assigning Addresses

· Is It On My Network?

· Calculating Addresses

· Testing the Network Layer

9: Transport Layer

· Roles of the Transport Layer

· The TCP Protocol – Communicating with Reliability

· Managing TCP Sessions

· The UDP Protocol – Communicating with Low Overhead

10: Application Layer

· Applications – The Interface between the Networks

· Making Provisions for Applications and Services

· Application Layer Protocols and Services Examples

11: It's a Network

· Configuring Cisco Devices – IOS Basics

· Basic Security and Authentication

· Verifying Connectivity with ping and traceroute

· Monitoring and Documenting of Networks

· Backup and Troubleshooting

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Troubleshooting Task

Intent:	Intended to assess the problem solving capabilities of students in real-time environment.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, B.1, B.4 and C.3
Type:	Reflection
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	10%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Identifying, with justifications, problems in a given network. 50 4, 5, 6 A.1, C.3 Correcting the problems in the network. 50 4, 5, 6 B.1, B.4 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Tutorial exercises

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.2, A.5 and B.4
Type:	Exercises
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	10%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Designed to assist students to establish patterns of behaviour that establish and prioritise goals based on pre-defined specifications 33 1, 2, 3 A.2 From the read content, with a pre-designed structure, students are required to appropriately identify relevant data, interpret outcomes, and evaluate alternatives methods when considering how different knowledge items are related to each other. 33 1, 2, 3 A.5 Finally, after completing the above two points, students are required to demonstrate correct reasoning and interpretation to justify the relevance of their solutions based on their thorough investigations and analysis. 34 1, 2, 3 B.4 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: VLSM exercise

Intent:	Test initial understanding of subnetting concepts.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): B.4 and C.3
Type:	Exercises
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	5%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Students must demonstrate correct reasoning, and justify their decisions when creating a suitable addressing scheme. When troubleshooting, correct identification of errors and interpretation analysis is essential. 50 4, 5, 6 B.4 Students must demonstrate accuracy in design, and justify their solution based on a logical design strategy, with an understanding of their design limitations. 50 4, 5, 6 C.3 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 4: Case Study

Intent:	Develop Cooperative skills. Understand basic research objectives. Present findings in a logical format.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.5, B.1, B.6, D.1 and E.3
Type:	Case study
Groupwork:	Group, group assessed
Weight:	20%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Interpret and document appropriate results for correctness, and evaluate alternatives when appropriate. 20 1, 2, 3, 7 A.5 For problems encountered, show correctness of a solution within required criteria. 20 2, 3, 7 B.1 Demonstrate application of research by accurately identifying sources, consistent referencing and using credible reference materials for specific hardware requirements. 20 3, 7 B.6 Students must demonstrate effective time management, actively participate within a group and submit a quality document with the time constraints set. 20 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 D.1 There must be a demonstration of efficient planning and effective resource management within the requirements set. 20 1, 2, 3, 7 E.3 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 5: Skills Based Assessment

Intent:	To demonstrate competence to build basic networks
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4, 5, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): B.1, B.2 and B.5
Type:	Demonstration
Groupwork:	Group, group and individually assessed
Weight:	15%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Valid, correct addressing scheme created Determining the size of required subnets based on criteria presented. ( individual task) 50 4 B.1 Correctly implemented design to construct the required network based on the specific criteria supplied. (group activity). 20 5, 6, 7 B.2 Correctly working Model ( the group?s constructed network is tested and checked for performance) 30 6, 7 B.5 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 6: Final Examinations (Written and Online)

Intent:	To Check students understanding of the materials covered in this course.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, A.2, A.5, B.1, B.2, B.4, B.5 and C.3
Type:	Examination
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	40%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Students will be required to correctly calculate, interpret results and use justification to correctly resolve answers to questions. 13 1, 2, 3 A.1 Use justification to prioritise events within structured questions. 13 2, 3 A.2 Interpret results to draw conclusions using identified data flows within a network. 13 2, 3 A.5 Apply correct addressing schemes and evaluate the encapsulation process 13 3, 4, 5 B.1 Justify decisions and thoroughly analyse implementation methods for basic data transfers using switches and routers 13 1, 2, 3 B.2 Use correctness reasoning and justification of result from poor design implementations to refine and correct models 13 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 B.4 Justification of decisions made 13 1, 3, 6 B.5 Demonstrate accuracy and evaluation of a model built and presented. 9 5, 6 C.3 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Required texts

Online learning resource: Introduction to Networks,

http://cisco.netacad.com

Recommended texts

Dye, Mark A & Reid, Allen D; 'Introduction to Networks Companion Guide'
ISBN-10: 1-58713-316-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-316-9

References

Kurose, James F and Ross, Keith W: Computer Networking – A top-down Approach (5th Edition) Pearson Education 2008.

Tanenbaum, Andrew S, Wetherall, David J: Computer Networks (5th Edition) Prentice Hall 2011

Other resources

Online support for this subject will be provided through UTSOnline. The URL is online.uts.edu.au.

U:PASS

UTS Peer Assisted Study Success is a voluntary “study session” where you will be studying the subject with other students in a group. It is led by a student who has previously achieved a distinction or high distinction in the subject area, and who has a good WAM. Leaders will prepare activities for you to work on in groups based on the content you are learning in lectures and tutorials. It’s really relaxed, friendly, and informal. Because the leader is a student just like you, they understand what it’s like to study the subject and how to do well, and they can pass those tips along to you. Students also say it’s a great way to meet new people and a “guaranteed study hour”.

You can sign up for U:PASS sessions via U:PASS website http://tinyurl.com/upass2017 Note that sign up is not open until week 2, as it’s voluntary and only students who want to go should sign up.

If you have any questions or concerns about U:PASS, please contact Georgina at upass@uts.edu.au, or check out the website.