ME504 - Advanced Networking

Credit Points: 20 credit points

Workload: 60 hours

Prerequisite: N/A

Co-requisite: N/A

Aims & Objectives

This is an elective unit of a total of 12 units in the Master of Engineering (Telecommunications) MEng(Tel). This unit addresses the MEng(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/master-engineering-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. Increasing emphasis is on remote access, online transaction, 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, Frame Relay, ISDN, ATM
  • 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
  • Case studies in networking design and development

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit, students should be able to:
a. Model and critically compare LAN and WAN network technologies, topologies and implementation;
b. Configure, test and troubleshoot various network devices including routers and switches ;
c. Evaluate, different WAN protocols; such as HDLC, PPP, Frame Relay, DHCP, ISDN, NAT and PAT in a network environment, and configure, verify, troubleshoot related equipment;
d. Plan and design LAN and WAN networks and evaluate their performance;
e. Implement IPv4 and IPv6 in WAN networks and critically compare their designs;
f. Propose, and report on, hierarchical network models for campus and other applications;
g. Develop a systematic approach to analyse and solve various network problems.

Weekly Topics

This unit will cover the content below:

Week # Lecture Topic Reading Lab/Tute
1 Introduction of data communication and networks Chapter 1: Data communications, Chapter 4: Transmission media Lab 1: Netsim
2 Wide Area Network: circuit and packet switching Chapter 10: Circuit and packet switching Lab 2: Router Config
3 Network Protocols: HDLC, PPP, Frame Relay, ATM Chapters 7:DL protocol, 8:Multiplexing, 11: ATM Lab 3: Router Setup
4 Routing in data networks Chapter 12: Routing in SDN Lab 4: Demo
5 Congestion control in data networks Chapter 13: Congestion Control Lab 5: Switch Config
6 Local Area Network overview Chapter 15: LAN Lab 6: Packet Tracer
7 Ethernet and VLAN standards Chapter 16: Ethernet Lab 7: VLAN
8 Internet Protocols: IPv6 Chapter 18: IP Lab 8: Protocol config
9 Internetwork operation Chapter 19: Internetwork operation Lab 9: DHCP
10 Multiprotocol Label switching Chapter 21: MPLS Lab 10: MPLS
11 Transport protocols: TCP, UDP Chapter 22: TCP Lab 11: Demo
12 Review Revision Lab 12

Assessment

Assessment Task Due Date Release Date A B Learning Outcomes Assessed
Laboratory and Problem Based Learning participation & submission Each week in Lab Each week in Lab 10%   a-g
Formative Assignment 1A
Individual Assignment 1B (In class test, On Campus)
Week 1 Week 3
Week 5 Lab Time
5% 10% a-c
Assignment-2: Group Assignment Week 5 Week 10 25%   a-g
Final Examination (3 hours) (Face-to-face, On campus)       50% a-g
TOTALS     40% 60%  

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

Class Participation Assessment
This unit has class participation as an assessment. The assessment task and marking rubric will follow the Guidelines on Assessing Class Participation (https://www.mit.edu.au/aboutus/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.

Textbook and Reference Materials

Textbook:

  • W. Stallings, Data and Computer Communications, 9th ed., Pearson, 2011

References

  • L. L. Peterson B. S. Davie, Computer Networks, A Systems Approach, 5th ed,. The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Networking, 2011.
  • P. B. Sinclair, Advanced Networking Concepts, Course Technology, 1996.
  • 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.