32524 LANS and Routing
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.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 31270 Networking Essentials AND 31277 Routing and Internetworks AND 31486 Data Communications
Recommended studies: competency in the use of PCs, fundamental knowledge of the working principles of a computer, basic understanding of computer networking and the internet
Description
This subject provides students with knowledge of local area network (LAN) hardware and physical layer standards, and basic computer networking concepts and principles, and introduces LAN design and the use of routers and switches, and routing and switching in autonomous system intranets. It also explains how these access WANs. Using the Cisco Networking Academy's online resources and practical work in wiring and configuring LANs, including Cisco routers and switches, is an integral part of this subject.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Describe the fundamental concepts and technologies of computer networks. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Apply knowledge of networking concepts and technologies to analyse and solve actual network problems. |
| 3. | Demonstrate proficiency in designing and implementing a hierarchical IPv4 and IPv6 addressing scheme. |
| 4. | Design small to medium sized routed and switched networks based on specified requirements. |
| 5. | Recognise and make suitable choices for physical networking equipment and media, implement the design, and troubleshoot and verify network connectivity. |
| 6. | Use Cisco IOS commands to complete configuration, management and troubleshooting tasks for small to medium sized networks. |
| 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):
- Needs, context and systems - Engineering and IT take place within the larger context of society and the environment, which encompasses social, economic and sustainability needs. (A.0)
- Identify, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs. (A.1)
- 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 specification (B.2)
- Synthesise alternative/innovative solutions, concepts and procedures (B.3)
- Apply decision-making methodologies to evaluate solutions for efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability (B.4)
- Implement and test solutions (B.5)
- Evaluate model applicability, accuracy and limitations (C.3)
- 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
Normal class contact time is comprised of four hours tutorial/laboratory session per teaching week. In the laboratory, a workshop approach is used which combines mini-lectures, learning by doing small group and/or whole class discussions, hands-on activities, question and answer sessions, and/or online tests. It is expected that, for each lab session, students will need to spend an additional six hours in self-directed study.
Pre-studying the chapters (textbook and/or ELearning materials) before they are covered in class is essential for students’ success in this subject. Electronic textbooks, as well as ELearning materials, including video lectures and interactive exercise or quizzes, are widely used for this subject. Careful notes made during students’ self-directed pre-study will greatly assist with the written exam and the online exams. During lab sessions, students should make careful notes in their Engineering Journals which will be very helpful with the skills based assessments. The Final Written Exam questions will also come from these sources.
Nearly all hands-on activities are based on group work. Groups are formed from within a class, where each group typically has four students. Groups are set up at the beginning of the session and are expected to work together on a weekly basis and for practical assessments. However, most marks are allocated to tasks where each student is marked individually. Also, in-class discussions and Q&A sessions are conducted for most lab sessions to facilitate active, collaborative learning.
An online discussion forum on UTSOnline is used to disseminate information to all students, and to allow students to pose questions, and more importantly, to answer each other's questions. Students are expected to log into the forum on a frequent basis to read messages and to engage in dialogue on the subject matter.
The workload and pace of 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)
The major topics to be covered in this subject are:
- Explore the Network
- Configure a Network Operating System
- Network Protocols and Communications
- Network Access
- Ethernet
- Network Layer
- Transport Layer
- IP Addressing
- Subnetting IP Networks
- Application Layer
- Build a Small Network
- Routing Concepts
- Static Routing
- Dynamic Routing
- Switched Networks
- Switch Configuration
- VLANs
- Access Control Lists
- DHCP
- NAT for IPv4
- Device Discovery, Management & Maintenance
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Mid-session Assessment
| Intent: | This early session assessment is designed to give students early feedback so that students can adjust their learning strategy and improve their learning efficiency. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, B.2 and B.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Examination | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 5% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Online Exams
| Intent: | This assessment task provides instant, personalised feedback once submitted properly. Therefore, the assessment is designed for assisting students with their self-organised learning. | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.1, B.1 and B.4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 5% | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Case Study
| Intent: | As an authentic, comprehensive assignment, this assessment task provides an opportunity for students to integrate individual topics covered in each week into a real network. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.0, A.1, A.5, B.1, B.3, B.4, B.5, C.3 and E.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 15% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 4: Final Skills Based Assessment
| Intent: | As a final practical assessment, this assesment task evaluates students' competency on their hands-on skills. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.5, B.1, B.4, B.5, C.3 and E.2 | ||||||||||||
| Type: | Laboratory/practical | ||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 25% | ||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 5: Final Written Exam
| Intent: | This assessment is to evaluate students' overall performance of achieving the subject learning objectives. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, A.5, B.1 and B.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Examination | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Required texts
The primary source of information for this subject is the online course curriculum, accessible via Cisco Networking Academy web site (https://www.netacad.com/), which is referred to as 'NetSpace'.
All students who are enrolled in this subject will be given access to 'CCNA Routing and Switching 6.0: Introduction to Networks' and 'CCNA Routing and Switching 6.0: Routing and Switching Essentials' through the Cisco NetSpace web site normally two weeks before the first class session.
The following hard copy textbooks are also available for purchase:
- Introduction to Networks v6 Companion Guide, by Cisco Networking Academy, 2016.
- Routing and Switching Essentials v6 Companion Guide, by Cisco Networking Academy, 2016.
Note that, using either the online course curriculum or the hard copy text books will be sufficient. However, the Cisco Networking Academy online learning environment also contains additional learning resources and hosts all online exams, available to all enrolled students at no additional cost.
References
Wendell Odom, Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide, Cisco Press, 2013.
Other resources
- Cisco Networking Academy web site 'NetSpace' for online course curriculum and online assessments (login: your Cisco Networking Academy account created by your instructor normally at the beginning of the session): https://www.netacad.com/
- UTS Online (http://www.online.uts.edu.au) for dissemination of all internal course information (including lecture notes, additional eLearning materials, additional labs and exercises, additional information about assessment, as well as online discussion and collaborative learning (login: UTS Student ID and UTS Email password).
