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Monash University

FIT3130 Computer network design and deployment - Semester 2, 2013

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)

Contact Hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Workload requirements

  • Lectures: 2 hours per week
  • Practical classes/Tutorials: 2 hours per week
  • Private study (revision, homework and practical class preparation): 8 hours per week

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

Caulfield

Malik Khan

South Africa

Mohan Das

Academic Overview

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit students should have:
  • a detailed knowledge and understanding of all major protocols used in LAN & WAN and WLAN;
  • an understanding of major issues in implementing these protocols;
  • a detailed knowledge and understanding of network architectures including interaction with firewalls;
  • an awareness of the latest developments in TCP/IP (e.g. IPv6, IPSec, multicasting, VoIP, QoS, iSCSI);
  • the knowledge and skills to implement and manage TCP/IP services within wired and wireless LANs;
  • understand various measures of data network performance;
  • exposition of network performance evaluation tool, Network packet analysers, and other performance measurement tools;
  • use simulation packages to construct models of computer networks;
  • use models for performance analysis and prediction;
  • make recommendations for network performance improvement;
  • practical skills in setting up TCP/IP connections and routing configurations for different environments;
  • experience in setting up LANs and WANs, and wireless LANs using standard protocols.

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0 Students should register for tutorials No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1 Introduction of unit, Part I - Identifying network users' needs and goals: Analysing business goals and constraints; analysing technical goals and tradeoffs  
2 Characterising the existing internetwork; characterising network traffic Tutorials start Week 2
3 Part II - Logical Network Design: designing a network topology  
4 Designing models for Addressing and Naming  
5 Selecting Switching and Routing Protocols  
6 Developing Network Security Strategies  
7 Developing Network Management Strategies  
8 Part III - Physical Network Design: Selecting Technologies and Devices for Campus Networks  
9 Selecting Technologies and Devices for Enterprise Networks  
10 Part IV - Testing, Optimizing, and Documenting Network Design: Testing the network design Group Presentation in Week 10 tutorial (to be scheduled); Group Report due Wednesday 9 October 2013, 4pm
11 Optimizing your network design Group Presentation in Week 11 tutorial (to be scheduled)
12 Documenting the network design  
  SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken in SWOT VAC
  Examination period LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

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

Assessment Summary

Examination (2 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Assessment Task Value Due Date
Group Assignment - Computer Network Design and Deployment Report and Presentation 30% Presentation in Week 10 or Week 11 tutorial (to be scheduled); Report due Wednesday 9 October 2013, 4pm
Tutorial Participation 10% This will be effective for all tutorials except when students are presenting their assignment, which is graded separately.
Examination 1 60% To be advised

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning.

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/unit-assessment-hurdles.html)

Academic Integrity - Please see the Demystifying Citing and Referencing tutorial at http://lib.monash.edu/tutorials/citing/

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
    Due date:
    Presentation in Week 10 or Week 11 tutorial (to be scheduled); Report due Wednesday 9 October 2013, 4pm
  • 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.

    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:
    2 hours
    Type (open/closed book):
    Closed book
    Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
    None

Learning resources

Monash Library Unit Reading List
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html

Feedback to you

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
  • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
  • Graded assignments with comments
  • Quiz results

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Assignment submission

It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz). Please note that it is your responsibility to retain copies of your assessments.

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 services

Monash University Library

Disability Liaison Unit

Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis.

Your feedback to Us

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

Previous feedback highlighted the appropriate use of case studies, which will be retained. Several students asked for more practical components, which will be improved this year, but while striking a balance with the theoretical foundations of the unit.

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

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