Overview
This unit will provide you with the foundation knowledge of computer and network infrastructure that underpins Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in modern organisations. You will study networking essentials including virtualisation, wireless networks, cloud computing, cyber security, and risk management. By the end of this unit, you will be able to build and manage basic computer networks. You will conduct hands-on practical activities with industrial-grade networking equipment and cyber security tools to enhance the security of built networks.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Anti-requisite: If students have undertaken COIT11233 Information and Communication Technology Foundations, then this unit should not be taken.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
| Assessment Task | Part Weighting (% of assessment) |
Assessment Security Level | Gen AI Guidance Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Assessment 1: In-Class Quizzes (30% of unit · 2 parts ) | |||
| Part 1 – Quiz 1 (In-class Test(s)) | 34% of 30% | High | No Gen AI Use |
| Part 2 – Quiz 2 (In-class Test(s)) | 66% of 30% | High | No Gen AI Use |
| 2. Assessment 2: Group Practical Case Study (30% of unit · 2 parts ) | |||
| Part 1 – Part A: Report and Files (Report) | 66% of 30% | Medium | AI-Assisted (Guided Collaboration) |
| Part 2 – Part B: Technical demonstration (Practical Assessment) | 34% of 30% | Medium | No Gen AI Use |
| 3. Assessment 3: Network Foundations Portfolio (40% of unit ) | |||
| Portfolio (Portfolio) | 100% of 40% | Low | AI-Assisted (Guided Collaboration) |
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Academic Progression Policy and Procedure
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback and teaching team reflections
The quizzes lack strong integrity mechanisms, are not well aligned with the many practical tasks during the term, and can create a stressful environment with a minimum mark on a low-weight assessment.
Shift the assessment focus (and weights) from quizzes to practical activities, e.g., where a student builds and tests a network in class.
Feedback from Student feedback
Some of the lab facilities, including cabling and routers, were not working, resulting in students receiving less hands-on practice than desired.
Develop and apply a plan to ensure all equipment is working before the start of term, e.g., ensuring backup devices are available and allocating resources to equipment testing.
Feedback from Teaching team reflection
The lectures in some weeks are long and lack practical examples that students can relate to.
Include interactive activities in lectures (e.g., allowing students to visualise packet flow through a network) to make the live lectures more engaging and make it easier for students who miss a lecture to self-study.
- Explain the role of hardware and software components in computer networks
- Recognise the importance of protocols, standards, and layered architectures in building computer networks
- Explain the selection of network components, topologies, and technologies to meet business requirements
- Describe challenges and solutions in securing computer networks and infrastructure
- Interpret the use of forwarding and encapsulation to deliver data securely in computer networks
- Discuss techniques for managing cyber security, documenting, and troubleshooting computer networks.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS), the professional association for Australia's ICT sector, recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is adopted by organisations, governments, and individuals in many countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly used when developing job descriptions and role profiles. ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile.
This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA 9 (the SFIA code is included):
- Network support (NTAS)
- Infrastructure operations (ITOP)
- Security operations (SCAD)
- Systems installation and removal (HSIN)
- Problem management (PBMG)
- Information security (SCTY).
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework defines the knowledge, skills, and tasks needed to perform various cybersecurity roles. Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the NICE Framework is used by organisations to plan their cybersecurity workforce, including recruitment into cybersecurity positions.
This unit helps prepare students for roles such as Systems Security Analyst, Network Operations Specialist, and Systems Administrator, contributing to the following knowledge and skills:
- K0001 Knowledge of computer networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies.
- K0010 Knowledge of communication methods, principles, and concepts that support the network infrastructure.
- K0011 Knowledge of capabilities and applications of network equipment, including routers, switches, bridges, servers, transmission media, and related hardware.
- K0029 Knowledge of an organisation's Local and Wide Area Network connections.
- K0050 Knowledge of local area and wide area networking principles and concepts, including bandwidth management.
- K0053 Knowledge of measures or indicators of system performance and availability.
- K0060 Knowledge of operating systems.
- K0061 Knowledge of how traffic flows across the network (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol [TCP] and Internet Protocol [IP], Open Systems Interconnection [OSI] model, Information Technology Infrastructure Library [ITIL]).
- K0071 Knowledge of remote access technology concepts.
- K0077 Knowledge of server and client operating systems.
- K0108 Knowledge of concepts, terminology, and operations of a wide range of communications media (e.g., computer and telephone networks, satellite, fibre, wireless).
- K0111 Knowledge of network tools (e.g., ping, traceroute, nslookup).
- K0113 Knowledge of different types of network communication (e.g., LAN, WAN, MAN, WLAN, WWAN).
- K0136 Knowledge of the capabilities of different electronic communication systems and methods (e.g., email, VoIP, instant messaging, web forums, Direct Video Broadcasts).
- K0137 Knowledge of the range of existing networks (e.g., PBX, LANs, WANs, Wi-Fi, SCADA).
- K0138 Knowledge of Wi-Fi.
- K0332 Knowledge of network protocols such as TCP/IP, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Domain Name System (DNS), and directory services.
- S0033 Skill in diagnosing connectivity problems.
- S0035 Skill in establishing a routing schema.
- S0041 Skill in installing, configuring, and troubleshooting LAN and WAN components such as routers, hubs, and switches.
- S0073 Skill in using virtual machines (e.g., Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware vSphere, Citrix XenDesktop/Server, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud).
- S0151 Skill in troubleshooting failed system components (e.g., servers).
- S0154 Skill in installing system and component upgrades (e.g., servers, appliances, and network devices).
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
|
1.
Assessment 1
(30% of unit · 2 parts
)
Part 1 -
In-class Test(s)
Part 2 -
In-class Test(s)
|
||||||
|
2.
Assessment 2
(30% of unit · 2 parts
)
Part 1 -
Report
Part 2 -
Practical Assessment
|
||||||
|
3.
Assessment 3
(40% of unit )
Portfolio
|
||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Cisco Packet Tracer
- Microsoft Windows on CQU Lab computer and/or personal computer
- Microsoft Azure Account
- PowerShell
- A second computer, WiFi device, wireless router, cables [DST students only]
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.shahidinejad@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Computers and the Internet
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend your scheduled lecture class.
Complete the Week 1 Tutorial activities in your own time as there is no tutorial class this week (tutorial classes will start in Week 2).
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Networking Basics
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend your scheduled lecture class and tutorial class.
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Addressing Basics
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
You must attend Week 3 tutorial to build, test and demonstrate your first simple network.
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Nov 2026Module/Topic
Web Browsing
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 07 Dec 2026Module/Topic
Network Technologies
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 14 Dec 2026Module/Topic
The Internet Protocol
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
You must attend Week 6 tutorial to build, test and demonstrate your LAN.
Mid-Term Break
Begin Date: 21 Dec 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 04 Jan 2027Module/Topic
Network Protocols and Architectures
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Supervised In-class Quiz 1 due this week, in your tutorial class.
Quiz 1 Due: Week 7 Monday (4 Jan 2027) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8
Begin Date: 11 Jan 2027Module/Topic
Wireless Networks
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
You must attend Week 8 tutorial to build, test and demonstrate your IP network.
Week 9
Begin Date: 18 Jan 2027Module/Topic
Cyber Security Basics
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete the Week 9 wireless networking tutorial activities.
Portfolio Due: Week 9 Monday (18 Jan 2027) 8:00 am AEST
Week 10
Begin Date: 25 Jan 2027Module/Topic
WANs and Cloud Computing
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 01 Feb 2027Module/Topic
Network Management
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
You must attend Week 11 tutorial to undertake Quiz 2 in-class.
Part A: Report and Files Due: Week 11 Friday (5 Feb 2027) 11:59 pm AEST
Quiz 2 Due: Week 11 Monday (1 Feb 2027) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12
Begin Date: 08 Feb 2027Module/Topic
Careers in Networking and Cyber Security
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2- in-class technical demo is due in your scheduled tutorial
Part B: Technical demonstration Due: Week 12 Monday (8 Feb 2027) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Feb 2027Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Ali Shahidinejad
Unit Coordinator, Lecturer, Tutor
Email address: a.shahidinejad@cqu.edu.au
1. Assessment 1: In-Class Quizzes ( 30% of unit · 2 parts )
Part 1 - In-class Test(s)
This is an individual practical assessment worth 10% of your final grade. You will have one attempt and 40 minutes to complete the quiz.
You will complete 4 practical networking checks using Cisco Packet Tracer and upload screenshots showing the results of your own work.
Week 7 Monday (4 Jan 2027) 11:45 pm AEST
During the Tutorial class
Week 8 Friday (15 Jan 2027)
- Network Setup and Configuration (2 marks): Correctly create and configure a simple LAN in Cisco Packet Tracer, including device connections and IPv4 addressing.
- Network Configuration Verification (2 marks): Correctly use commands to verify network settings and test connectivity between devices using ping.
- IPv4 Addressing and Subnetting (3 marks): Correctly determine and apply IPv4 addresses and subnet masks for the required subnet size, and identify the network and host portions of an IPv4 address.
- Web Server Configuration and Testing (3 marks): Correctly configure a web server and access the hosted webpage from another computer, demonstrating successful network communication.
- Explain the role of hardware and software components in computer networks
- Recognise the importance of protocols, standards, and layered architectures in building computer networks
- Explain the selection of network components, topologies, and technologies to meet business requirements
- Describe challenges and solutions in securing computer networks and infrastructure
- Interpret the use of forwarding and encapsulation to deliver data securely in computer networks
Part 2 - In-class Test(s)
Quiz 2 will be conducted in-class under the supervision of your tutor. You must attend your allocated tutorial class in Week 11 and complete the quiz during class. Only a single attempt of Quiz 2 is allowed. Online (DST) students will undertake Quiz 2 in a Zoom session in Week 11 (during the scheduled Online tutorial).
Week 11 Monday (1 Feb 2027) 11:45 pm AEST
During the Tutorial class
Week 12 Friday (12 Feb 2027)
- Network Troubleshooting and Configuration (16 marks): Identify and resolve network configuration issues accurately while maintaining the existing network topology and meeting the specified technical requirements.
- Testing, Verification and Technical Explanation (4 marks): Provide appropriate evidence that the corrected network functions as expected and clearly explain the identified issues, corrective actions, and their impact on network functionality.
- Explain the role of hardware and software components in computer networks
- Recognise the importance of protocols, standards, and layered architectures in building computer networks
- Explain the selection of network components, topologies, and technologies to meet business requirements
- Describe challenges and solutions in securing computer networks and infrastructure
- Interpret the use of forwarding and encapsulation to deliver data securely in computer networks
2. Assessment 2: Group Practical Case Study ( 30% of unit · 2 parts )
Part 1 - Report
Submit the group written report and required supporting files for the practical case study/project.
Week 11 Friday (5 Feb 2027) 11:59 pm AEST
During the Tutorial class
Week 12 Friday (12 Feb 2027)
- Website Development and POST Form (4 marks): Develop a functional website with personalised content and a working form, demonstrating correct POST handling and providing evidence of functionality.
- HTTP, DNS, DevTools and TLS Evidence (4 marks): Demonstrate understanding of web communication through DNS lookups, HTTP GET and POST requests, query strings, TLS certificates, and annotated screenshots of personal observations.
- Web and HTTP Discussion (4 marks): Clearly explain DNS, HTTP headers, GET and POST methods, query strings, request timing, and TLS and certificate concepts.
OpenSSL Encryption Evidence (4 marks): Complete AES and RSA encryption tasks, demonstrate file exchange, provide evidence of public and private key use, and verify successful encryption and decryption. - Encryption Discussion and Responsible AI Use (4 marks): Explain encryption concepts, key sharing, hybrid encryption, and public key trust, and document the responsible use of generative AI.
- Recognise the importance of protocols, standards, and layered architectures in building computer networks
- Explain the selection of network components, topologies, and technologies to meet business requirements
- Discuss techniques for managing cyber security, documenting, and troubleshooting computer networks.
Part 2 - Practical Assessment
Complete your individual technical demonstration and question session. You may be asked to show and explain parts of your submitted case study/project.
Week 12 Monday (8 Feb 2027) 11:45 pm AEST
During the Tutorial class
Exam Week Friday (19 Feb 2027)
- Practical Demonstration (3 marks): Locate, demonstrate and use the relevant technical artefacts to support the assessment.
- Technical Explanation (3 marks): Explain the demonstrated artefacts accurately and relate them to the relevant networking and cybersecurity concepts.
- Response to Follow-up Questions (4 marks): Answer tutor questions clearly and accurately in the student's own words, demonstrating genuine understanding of the concepts and practical work.
No submission method provided.
- Recognise the importance of protocols, standards, and layered architectures in building computer networks
- Explain the selection of network components, topologies, and technologies to meet business requirements
- Discuss techniques for managing cyber security, documenting, and troubleshooting computer networks.
3. Assessment 3: Network Foundations Portfolio ( 40% of unit )
Portfolio
This assessment asks you to submit a short portfolio of your practical networking work from Weeks 3 to 8 (Week 7 does not have a tutorial.)
The portfolio is not a diary of everything you did each week. You do not need to include every screenshot from every tutorial. Instead, select clear evidence that shows you completed key practical activities and understood what the outputs mean.
Week 9 Monday (18 Jan 2027) 8:00 am AEST
Week 10 Friday (29 Jan 2027)
- Practical Networking Activities (25 marks): Demonstrate networking knowledge and practical skills across the required weekly activities, including network configuration, addressing, DNS, ports, HTTP, switched LANs, web browsing, and router configuration.
- Demonstration Evidence (10 marks): Provide clear and relevant evidence of completed practical activities and successful network functionality throughout the portfolio.
- Reflection and Use of Generative AI (5 marks): Reflect on learning and problem-solving, and explain how generative AI was used responsibly to support the assessment.
- Explain the role of hardware and software components in computer networks
- Describe challenges and solutions in securing computer networks and infrastructure
- Interpret the use of forwarding and encapsulation to deliver data securely in computer networks
- Discuss techniques for managing cyber security, documenting, and troubleshooting computer networks.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
