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| Module Availability |
Spring Semester - semester 2 |
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| Assessment Pattern |
Assessment Pattern
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Unit(s) of Assessment
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Weighting Towards Module Mark( %)
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Lab Based Test (individual):
The laboratory assessment will test the practical skills of students to interpret and discuss the contents of network packets
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50%
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Examination (closed-book):
The exam will test knowledge across all of the technical topics in the syllabus
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50%
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Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module.
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| Module Overview |
Module Overview
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Computer networks are an essential part of almost all corporate computing facilities and even most domestic ones. Interoperability is the key – all components must conform to the same hardware and packet specifications in order that they can be interconnected successfully. This module introduces many of the TCP/IP and low-level transmission standards, as well as some higher-level application protocols.
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| Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
| None |
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| Module Aims |
| This module will provide a good grounding in how computers are interconnected using a variety of networking components. It will also show how the software protocols provide access to the network from higher-level applications. |
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| Learning Outcomes |
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
· Appreciate how network protocols are layered and how they operate together to perform common communication functions;
· Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the main protocols (TCP, IP, etc.);
· Understand the main operational characteristics of Ethernet and wireless networks;
· Be familiar with the use of the RFC protocol specifications;
· Be familiar with the use of network analyser software;
· Formulate arguments about network behaviour from an inspection of network packets.
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| Module Content |
The module content is divided into the following areas:
- Introduction to Computer Networks; Local and Wide Area Networks
- Layers and Protocols; ISO and TCP/IP models
- Application Layer; Web services – the HTTP protocol
- Transport Layer; Addressing
- Network Layer; Routing
- Link / Physical Layer; Data communications – Ethernet, WiFi, ADSL, Physical Addressing
- The IP datagram protocol, the Address Resolution Protocol, PPP and DHCP
- The TCP protocol – flow control and retransmission methods
- Electronic mail and file transfer - SMTP, POP, IMAP and FTP.
- Network monitoring and ethical issues of monitoring network traffic
- An introduction to network security - methods, vulnerabilities and uses of encryption.
The content may not be taught in the above order |
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| Methods of Teaching/Learning |
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There will be a two hours of lectures and two hours of laboratory each week for 11 weeks. Some lectures may contain live demonstrations.
The laboratory programme will use network packet traces to illustrate topics from the lectures.
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| Selected Texts/Journals |
Recommended
Reading
(category B):
- Computer Networks; Andrew S. Tanenbaum and David J. Wetherall; Pearson Education; 5th edition; ISBN 978-013255317-1; 2011.
- Computer Networking – A Top-Down Approach; James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross; Pearson; ISBN 978-0-13-136548-3; 5th edition; 2010
- Computer Networking – Internet Protocols in Action; Jeanna Matthews; Wiley; ISBN 978-0-471-66186-3; 2005
- Computer Networks ISE: A Systems Approach; Larry L. Peterson, Bruce S. Davie; Morgan Kaufmann; 4th edition; ISBN 978-0123740137; 2007
Other Resources:
All the Request for Comments (RFC) documents are widely available on the Internet and several of these will be required reading (especially RFC768, RFC791, RFC792, RFC793, RFC1034 and RFC1035).
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| Last Updated |
| received 18/01/2011 jg |
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