BE202 - Local and Wide Area Network Technologies

Credit Points: 15 credit points

Workload: 5 hours

Prerequisite: N/A

Co-requisite: BN106 Networking Fundamentals

Aims & Objectives

This is a first trimester core unit out of a total of 24 units in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Telecommunications) BEngTech(Tel). This unit addresses the BEngTech(Tel) course learning outcomes and complements other courses in a related field by developing students’ specialised knowledge in local and wide area networks and applying critical skills in networking equipment such as router, switch and server. For further course information refer to: http://www.mit.edu.au/courses/bachelor-engineering-technology-telecommunications.
Enterprise Networks are used to connect computers and other peripheral devices so that the organizational resources can be shared efficiently and effectively. Effective and efficient data communication and networking facilities are vital. There is an increasing emphasis on remote access, online transaction, the development of new services and advances in technology. This unit covers local area network and wide area networks design, devices, protocols and technologies essential to set a Computer Network. It also covers principles, benefits and drawbacks of various network topologies and protocols.
This unit will cover the following topics:

  • Networking for today’s enterprise
  • Circuit and packet switching
  • WAN technologies and WAN design
  • DHCP, DNS, NAT, PAT operation and implementation
  • WAN protocols: HDLC, PPP, MPLS
  • Basic of IPv6, internetwork operation
  • Routing and congestion control in data networks
  • Local area network protocol architecture
  • Network diagrams and topologies
  • Router and switch configuration, verification, and troubleshooting
  • Configuring multilayered switching
  • Emerging trends in future design

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit,students should be able to:
a. Describe LAN and WAN network technologies, topologies and implementations.
b. Configure, test and troubleshoot various network devices such as routers and switches.
c. Configure and test different WAN protocols, such as HDLC, PPP, Frame Relay, DHCP, ISDN, NAT and PAT in a network environment.
d. Devise LAN and WAN design and test network implementations.
e. Identify and compare IPv4 and IPv6 in WAN networks.
f. Discuss the requirements of hierarchical network models for campus and other similar applications.
g. Utilise a systematic approach to solve various network problems.

Weekly Topics

This unit will cover the content below:

Week # Topic Reading Lab
1 Introduction of data communication and networks Chapter 1: Data Communications, Data Networks and the Internet Chapter 3: Data Transmission Chapter 4: Transmission Media Lab1 : Packet Tracer Introduction: How to Use Packet Tracer
2 Wide Area Network: Circuit and packet switching Chapter 9: WAN Technology and Protocol Lab 2: Packet Tracer Introduction 2: Topology, LAN, WAN, etc.
3 Network Protocols: HDLC, PPP Chapters 7: Data Link Control Protocol Chapter 8: Multiplexing Lab 3: Router Setup
4 Routing in data networks Chapter 19: Routing Lab 4: Router Configuration
5 Congestion control in data Chapter 20: Congestion Control Lab 5: Switch Configuration
6 Local Area Network overview Chapter 11: LAN Overview Lab 6: Assignment 1 Demo
7 Ethernet and VLAN standards Chapter 14: The Internet Protocol Lab 7: IP Subnetting
8 Internet Protocols: IPv6 Chapter 12: Ethernet Lab 8: VLAN
9 Internetwork operation Chapter 21: Internetwork Operation Lab 9: DHCP
10 Multiprotocol Label switching Chapter 23: Multiprotocol Label Switching Lab 10: MPLS
11 Transport protocols: TCP, UDP Chapter 15: Transport Protocols Lab 11: Assignment 2 Demo and Presentation
12 Review Revision Lab 12: Report Submission

Assessment

Assessment Task Release Date Due Date A B Learning Outcomes Assessed
Class Participation and Contribution Each week in Lab Each week in Lab 10%   a-g
Individual Formative Assignment 1 Week 3 Week 3 08/04/2022 5%   a
In-Class Test During the test Week 7 during the lab   10% a-d
Assignment-2: Group Week 7 Week 11 03/06/2022 25%   a-g
Final Examination (2 hours)       50% a-g
TOTALS     40% 60%  

Task Type: Type A: unsupervised, Type B: supervised.

Class Participation and Contribution
This unit has class participation and student contribution as an assessment. The assessment task and marking rubric will follow the Guidelines on Assessing Class Participation (https://www.mit.edu.au/about-us/governance/institute-rules-policies-and-plans/policies-procedures-and-guidelines/Guidelines_on_Assessing_Class_Participation). Further details will be provided in the assessment specification on the type of assessment tasks and the marking rubrics.
Presentations (if applicable)
For presentations conducted in class, students are required to wear business attire.

Textbook and Reference Materials

Textbook:

  • W. Stallings, Data and Computer Communications, 10th ed., Pearson, 2013.

References

  • James Kurose and Keith Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, Pearson, 2017.
  • L. L. Peterson and B. S. Davie, Computer Networks, A Systems Approach, 5th ed., The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Networking, 2011.
  • T. Lammle, CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide, 6th ed., Sybex, 2007.
  • A. Reid, WAN Technologies CCNA 4 Companion Guide (Cisco Networking Academy Program), Cisco Press, 2007
  • S. Halabi, Top-Down Network Design, 2nd ed. Cisco Press, 2000.
  • P. Rybaczyk, Cisco Network Design Solutions for Small-Medium Businesses, Cisco Press, 2004.
  • M. Sportack, IP Routing Fundamentals, Cisco Press, 1999.
  • M. Tripod, Cisco Router Configuration and Troubleshooting, 2nd ed., 2000.
  • Cisco Systems, Internetworking Technologies Handbook, 4th Ed. Cisco Press, 2000.
  • R. Perlman, Interconnections: Bridges, Routers, Switches, and Internetworking Protocols, 2nd ed., Addison Wesley, 1999.
  • L. Harte, Introduction to Data Networks, 2nd ed., PAN, PDN, LAN, MAN and WAN Technologies and Systems, 2003.
  • P. Regan, Wide Area Networks, Prentice Hall, 2003.
  • J. Rullen, WAN Technologies CCNA 4 Labs and Study Guide, Cisco Networking Academy Program

Internet References:

Adopted Reference Style: IEEE

Graduate Attributes

MIT is committed to ensure the course is current, practical and relevant so that graduates are “work ready” and equipped for life-long learning. In order to accomplish this, the MIT Graduate Attributes identify the required knowledge, skills and attributes that prepare students for the industry.
The level to which Graduate Attributes covered in this unit are as follows:

Ability to communicate Independent and Lifelong Learning Ethics Analytical and Problem Solving Cultural and Global Awareness Team work Specialist knowledge of a field of study

Legend

Levels of attainment Extent covered
The attribute is covered by theory and practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students always play an active role, e.g. workshops, lab submissions, assignments, demonstrations, tests, examinations.
The attribute is covered by theory or practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students mostly play an active role, e.g. discussions, reading, intepreting documents, tests, examinations.
The attribute is discussed in theory or practice; it is addressed by assessed activities in which the students may play an active role, e.g. lectures and discussions, reading, interpretation, workshops, presentations.
The attribute is presented as a side issue in theory or practice; it is not specifically assessed, but it is addressed by activities such as lectures or tutorials.
The attribute is not considered, there is no theory or practice or activities associated with this attribute.