31283 WANs and Virtual LANs

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

Requisite(s): 31277 Routing and Internetworks OR 31471 Networking 2
Anti-requisite(s): 31084 VLANs and WANs AND 32521 WANS and VLANS

Description

This subject extends the content covered in 31270 Networking Essentials and 31277 Routing and Internetworks. The switching networks (LANs) and routing protocols EIGRP and multiarea OSPF are covered in more detail. This is enhanced by the coverage of various WAN technologies to build medium-sized networks. Students are prepared for the industry-certified Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	Understand, configure and troubleshoot enhanced switching technologies such as VLANs, Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), Per VLAN Spanning Tree Plus Protocol (PVST+), and EtherChannel. Using Access switches for first hop redundancies.
2.	Understand, configure, and troubleshoot first hop redundancy protocols in a switched network.
3.	Configure and troubleshoot routers in a complex routed IPv4 or IPv6 network using single-area OSPF, multiarea OSPF, and Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP).
4.	Understand and describe different WAN technologies and their benefits.
5.	Understand and describe the operations and benefits of virtual private networks (VPNs) and tunnelling.
6.	Configure, and troubleshoot access control lists to manage and control network traffic.
7.	Configure, and troubleshoot serial connections, broadband connections and tunnelling operations.
8.	Monitor and troubleshoot network operations using syslog, SNMP, and NetFlow.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

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

• 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)
• Evaluate model applicability, accuracy and limitations (C.3)
• Manage own time and processes effectively by prioritising competing demands to achieve personal goals (D.1)
• Communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose. (E.1)
• Work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams within a multi-level, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural setting (E.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

Four (4) hours lab contact time per week, the labs include hands-on work, mini lectures, kinesthetics, preparation of case studies and an opportunity for class discussion. Student are expected to be prepared for each week's lab sessions by prereading the chapters that will be covered that week.

An on-line discussion forum is used to disseminate information to all students, and to allow students to pose questions, and to answer each others’ questions. Students are expected to login to the forum frequently to read messages and posts from other students and staff and to contribute to the dialogue/s covered there.

Most factual content is available as on-line course material (‘Scaling Networks’ and ‘Connecting Networks’) with simulations, e-laboratories, pre-tests and other e-learning support materials and activities. Students are expected and encouraged to study the on-line materials before each lab class so that informed discussions on issues become more relevant and understandable. Instructors will conduct classes with the expectation that all students have completed the required pre-study.

Students are expected to exercise considerable diligence and to strive for efficient utilisation of class time and laboratory facilities to gain the maximum benefit from these resources.

Content (topics)

Students who complete the Scaling Networks and Connecting Networks course will be able to set up the following functions:

1. Enhanced Switching Technologies – VTP, DTP, STP and Etherchannels
2. Network Redundancy – First Hop Redundancy, links, hardware
3. Advanced Routing Protocols – EIGRP, OSPF: single area and multi-area
4. Serial technologies
5. Virtual Private Networks and Tunnels - GRE and DMVPN
6. Access Control Lists for IPv4 and IPv6
7. Network security and monitoring
8. Network troubleshooting

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Online Final Exams

Intent:	To meet one of CISCO Academy requirements.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.5, B.1, B.2 and B.4
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark

Assessment task 2: Case Study

Intent:	To prepare students for a skills test.
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): B.1, B.2, B.4 and E.2
Groupwork:	Group, group assessed
Weight:	20%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Research requirements to obtain most desirable outcome. 20 1, 3, 4 B.1 Providing alternative solutions and recommendations 10 3, 7 B.4 Introduce the understanding that skills developed are continued into the future 20 4, 5 E.2 Expect that the written documentation is presented in a formal manner 20 1, 2, 3, 4 E.2 Document designed solutions with the required topologies 20 6, 7 B.2 Develop strategies to work with others in a team. 10 1, 2, 3 E.2 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Skills-Based Assessment

Intent:	To determine understanding of the skills required in the subject.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.2, B.1, D.1 and E.1
Groupwork:	Group, individually assessed
Weight:	30%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Develop a structural approach to problems 30 3, 7 A.2 Construct appropriate tests to check solutions of models 20 1, 2, 3 B.1 Understand priorities with time constraint of the project so that its is achievable 20 1, 2, 3, 5 D.1 Communicate with group peers to produce the desired functioning network 20 3, 7 E.1 Working with others to achieve a specific outcome 10 1, 2, 3, 5 E.1 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 4: Final Written Exam

Intent:	Students demonstrate their understsanding of the theory underlying the subject.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.5, B.1, B.4 and C.3
Type:	Examination
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	50%
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Discuss alternates to actual design 20 4, 5, 8 A.5 Effectively analysing network models 30 1, 2, 3 A.5 Suggest alternates models to a given solutions 20 5, 7 B.1 Providing alternatives to a possible solution 20 1, 2, 3, 4 B.4 Accuracy build and demonstrate the designed model 10 2, 3, 5 C.3 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Required texts

1. The primary source of information for this subject will be online course material. All students enrolled for this subject will be given access to ‘CCNA Routing and Switching : Scaling Networks’ and ‘CCNA Routing and Switching : Conecting Networks Networks’ through both the Cisco Networking Academy website (http://www.netacad.com). Note that the site contain all the online course material. The Cisco Networking Academy site also contains additional learning resources. However, both the Online Chapter Quizzes and the Online Final Exam will only be available via the Cisco Networking Academy website.
2. Other subject documents and course materials, such as subject outlines, lecture notes, assignments, additional information about labs and assessments, as well as comments and answers to questions common to all students, will be distributed via UTS Online (http://online.uts.edu.au).
3. Hard copy text books which cover essentially the same contents (but contain no animations and other activities) may be purchased at the Co-op Bookshop or other places.

Recommended texts

Scaling Networks Companion Guide

ISBN-10: 1-58713-434-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-328-2

2017 by Cisco Press

Connecting Networks Companion Guide

ISBN-10: 1-58713-432-2
ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-432-6

2017 by Cisco Press

Other resources

1. Cisco Networking Academy website for online course material (login:Cisco Networking Academy account):

http://www.netacad.com
'CCNA Routing and Switching: Scaling Networks' and 'CCNA Routing and Switching: Connecting Networks'

2. Cisco’s assessment server for online weekly quizzes and online final examinations (login:Cisco Networking Academy account):
http://www.netacad.com

3. UTSOnline for online discussion and dissemination of course information (login:UTS ID and UTS Email password):
http://www.online.uts.edu.au

Note: If you have difficulty with logging in to any of the above web sites, you should contact your instructor to try to resolve your problem.