Introductory description

The skills required of a network specialist is evolving as a natural response to the enterprises adoption of new technologies. This makes the design and implementation of new solutions to improve the resilience of the current environment vital for the business growth. In order to avoid profit loss, businesses rely greatly on their network engineers to ensure their smooth operation when any disruption or damage to any part of the network occurs.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Topics may include:
Advanced Sub-netting

• Dynamic addressing DHCP
• Private IP addressing.
• Network address translation NAT
• VLSM (variable length sub-net mask).
  Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6)
• IPv6 addressing and expressions
• IPv6 shortened expression
• IPv6 internetwork
  Routing techniques
• Network Layer routing algorithms (link-state, distance vector)
• Routing tables.
• Static, dynamic, interior and exterior routing protocols
• Brief of OSPF, EIGRP, and RIP.
  Inter-switch connectivity
• Spanning Tree Protocol.
• VLANs, Native VLAN, access ports, trunk ports.
  Network Layer protocols
• The internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP).
• Simple network management protocol (SNMP).
  TCP and UDP protocols.
• Connectionless Vs Connection oriented transport.
• Stop and Wait, Go-Back-N and Selective repeat techniques.
• Flow and congestion control.
  Network Queues and Delay Analysis
• Little’s Theorem
• Birth-and-Death Process
• Queueing Systems
  Reference to Network Security
• Introduction to network security, cryptography and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
• Brief introduction to Access Control Lists (ACLs)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Describe advanced switching and routing concepts.
• Configure the components required to meet a medium-sized network specification.
• Implement an appropriate classless addressing scheme using VLSM and VLANs.
• Configure, verify and troubleshoot routing protocols.
• Diagnose network problems and suggest an informed solution.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

Students should be able to demonstrate a high competency in:

Computer network design, corresponding configuration and implementation as well as corresponding technical documentation.

Transferable skills

Students should be able to demonstrate:

How teams work effectively to produce technology solutions.

Applies analytical and critical thinking skills to systematically develop, analyse and apply structured problem solving techniques to complex systems and situations.

High level of critical thinking and digital literacy.