FIT3130 Computer network design and deployment - Semester 2, 2015

This unit aims to introduce the systematic top-down network design approach for designing enterprise computer networks. A top down process focuses on requirements analysis and architecture design, which should be completed before the selection of specific network components. The unit provides students with tested processes and tools to help them understand traffic flow, communication protocol behaviour, and internetworking technologies. On completion of the unit, students are equipped to design enterprise computer networks that meet an enterprise users requirements for functionality, capacity, performance, availability, scalability, affordability, security, and manageability.

Mode of Delivery

• Caulfield (Day)
• South Africa (Day)

Workload Requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

• Two hours of lectures
• One 2-hour laboratory

(b.) Additional requirements (all students):

• A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

See also Unit timetable information

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

CSE3821, CPE3004, CSE5807, FIT3030, FIT3024

Prerequisites

One of FIT1005, FIT2008, FIT2020, BUS2062, CPE1007, CSE2004, CSE2318, CSE3318 or GCO3812

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Your feedback to Us

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

This unit was offered in semester-2 2014 at south africa campus; the students rated the Unit FIT3130 with the following outcome, The rating was good with the students expected outcome for this unit was very satisfactory.

The unit enabled students to achieve its learning objectives = 3.9/5; Students found the unit to be intellectually stimulating = 3.83/5; The learning resources in this unit supported student studies = 4/5; The feedback student received in this unit was useful = 3.75/5; Overall students were satisfied with the quality of this unit = 4/5; The organisation and progression of the topics in this unit made sense to students= 4/5; Students was satisfied with the way practical and/or tutorial activities were conducted = 4.5/5; The assessment tasks helped students to develop the knowledge and skills required for this unit = 4/5; Students were encouraged to actively participate in this unit = 4.5/5; Previous feedback highlighted the appropriate use of case studies, which will be continue to retain and use them. Several students had also asked for more practical components, which will be improved this year, keeping in mind the subject has a lot of networking layer concepts used as part of network design and deployment, we will continue to try and strike a balance with the theoretical foundations of the unit.

Academic Overview

Learning Outcomes

• select and apply major protocols used in computer networks for the design of LAN, WAN and WLAN systems;
• analyse and resolve all issues in implementing the selected protocols at LAN, WAN and WLAN designs;
• apply the detailed knowledge and understanding of secure network architectures for the design and implementation of firewalls;
• demonstrate the ability to incorporate the latest developments in TCP/IP protocols (e.g. IPv6, IPSec, multicasting, VoIP, QoS, iSCSI) into network design;
• apply the knowledge and skills gained to implement and manage TCP/IP services within wired and wireless LANs;
• exhibit the ability to use network performance evaluation tools, network packet analysers, and other performance measurement tools;
• demonstrate the ability to use simulation packages to construct models of computer networks;
• analyse the use of models for performance measures and performance prediction of advanced data networks;
• demonstrate practical ability to design and setup LANs, WANs, and wireless LANs using standard protocols and typical hardware;
• make recommendations for network performance improvements;
• demonstrate practical skills in setting up TCP/IP connections and routing configurations for different environments;
• demonstrate the ability to fully document the design for future reference and upgrade.

Unit Schedule

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.

Teaching Approach

Assessment Summary

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Assessment Tasks

Participation

• Assessment task 1

  Title:

  Group Assignment - Computer Network Design and Deployment Report and Presentation

  Description:

  Students are to write a multi-site campus network specifications document (business requirements and technical goals), carry out logical network design (topology and choice of routing protocols, etc.), selection of technologies and devices for physical design, use the simulation package to test some input traffic, observe the network performance and optimise the parts of networks to improve performance.

  Weighting:

  30%

  Criteria for assessment:

  Students will be assessed individually on their contribution to the group based project with respect to the formal group report and presentation by:

  • Quality of group presentation
  • Conciseness of report
  • Discussion of design specification
  • Evaluation of network design parameters (logical design)
  • Selection of internetworking devices and technology (physical design)
  • Design documentation, conclusion and limitation

  This part of assessments will cover the first ten points of learning outcomes of the unit.

   

  Due date:

  Group Presentation in Week 10 or Week 11 tutorial (to be scheduled). Group Report due by Friday 9 October 2015, 4 PM

• Assessment task 2

  Title:

  Tutorial Participation

  Description:

  Student learning can be enhanced by participation in class activities. Therefore 10% of unit marks will come from taking part in verbal discussions and exercises during the tutorials. 

  Weighting:

  10%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The tutor will encourage and keep track of student participation during tutorials, where students are expected to engage with evidence of understanding and prior preparation such as reading study materials ahead of the tutorial.

  This part of assessments will cover week-by-week basis. All the learning outcomes of the unit are covered by every tutorial. some tutorials will be covering and overlapping some of the related outcomes. By end of all the eleven tutorials this part of assessments would have covered all the outcomes.

  Due date:

  This will be effective for all tutorials except when students are presenting their assignment, which is graded separately.

Examinations

• Examination 1

  Weighting:

  60%

  Length:

  3 hours

  Type (open/closed book):

  Closed book

  Electronic devices allowed in the exam:

  None

Learning resources

Feedback to you

• Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
• Graded assignments with comments
• Quiz results

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Assignment submission

Online submission

If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal. Additional to the online submission, a hard copy submission is required.

Recommended text(s)

P. Oppenheimer. (2011). Top-Down Network Design. (3rd Edition) Cisco Press.

Other Information

Policies

Graduate Attributes Policy

Student Charter

Student services

Monash University Library

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