Overview
This unit provides you with an in-depth understanding of the role and function of TCP/IP protocols in contemporary network communication. The unit details the underlying technologies and relationships between the five network layers. You will gain an understanding of how data is encapsulated, addressed, and routed over networks. On completion of the unit, you will be able to explain the mechanisms used to facilitate communication between applications over the internet.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: COIT11233 - Information and Communication Technology Foundations or COIT11238 - Networked Infrastructure Foundations Note: Students who are currently enrolled in or who have previously completed COIT13147 - Networks cannot enrol in this unit.
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 1 - 2025
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 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
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and 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 Teaching staff.
Some lectures are not followed up with a relevant lab exercise.
Align tutorial/lab sessions with weekly lecture topics.
Feedback from Teaching staff, students.
The marking rubric and instructions for the e-Portfolio assignment contained elements not covered in the unit, such as project management or teamwork.
Re-write the instructions and marking rubrics and spreadsheet to make required outputs explicit and specific to the requirements and outputs of this unit.
- Apply routing and forwarding principles to interconnect multiple computer networks
- Construct addressing schemes that achieve business goals while adhering to technical standards
- Illustrate the operation of application and transport protocols that are commonly used in delivering internet applications
- Justify the selection of network techniques and protocols to meet business requirements
- Apply testing and analysis tools to solve network design problems
- Explain the role of traditional networking protocols in contemporary technologies.
Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is in use in over 100 countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles.
ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile at https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html
This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA. The SFIA code is included:
- Network Support (NTAS)
- Problem Management (PBMG)
- System Design (DESN)
- Service Desk and Incident Management (USUP)
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework defines knowledge, skills and tasks needed to perform various cyber security roles. Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the NICE Framework is used by organisations to plan their workforce, including recruit into cyber security positions.
This unit helps prepare you 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.
- K0050 Knowledge of local area and wide area networking principles and concepts including bandwidth management.
- K0061 Knowledge of how traffic flows across the network (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol [TCP] and Internet Protocol [IP], Open System Interconnection Model [OSI], Information Technology Infrastructure Library, current version [ITIL]).
- K0104 Knowledge of Virtual Private Network (VPN) security.
- K0159 Knowledge of Voice over IP (VoIP).
- K0180 Knowledge of network systems management principles, models, methods (e.g., end-to-end systems performance monitoring), and tools.
- K0322 Knowledge of embedded systems.
- K0332 Knowledge of network protocols such as TCP/IP, Dynamic Host Configuration, Domain Name System (DNS), and directory services.
- S0004 Skill in analyzing network traffic capacity and performance characteristics.
- S0035 Skill in establishing a routing schema.
- S0041 Skill in installing, configuring, and troubleshooting LAN and WAN components such as routers, hubs, and switches.
- S0056 Skill in using network management tools to analyze network traffic patterns (e.g., simple network management protocol).
- S0162 Skill in applying various subnet techniques (e.g., CIDR)
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 40% | ||||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 35% | ||||||
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 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Textbooks
Data Comms And Networking With Tcp/Ip Protocol Suite
Edition: 6th edn (2021)
Authors: Forouzan, B
McGraw Hill
New York New York , NY , USA
ISBN: 9781260597820 print ; 9781264363353 ebook
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Cisco Packet Tracer
- Wireshark
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.rashid@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Course Introduction; Overview of Network Models and Protocols
Chapter
1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The IP Protocol (IP)
Chapter
7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Advanced IP Routing
Chapter
Online resources provided
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
Chapter
9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Supporting Protocols: DHCP and DNS
Chapter
Online resources provided
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 1 (In-class): This quiz will be held in the Week 5 tutorial class.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Address Resolution and Management
Chapter
Online resources provided
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Network Security and QoS
Chapter
Online resources provided
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Network Protocols in WLAN
Chapter
Online resources provided
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
IoT Protocols
Chapter
Online resources provided
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Network Protocols in Cloud
Chapter
Online resources provided
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 2 (In-class): This quiz will be held in the Week 10 tutorial class.
Module/Topic
Networking in Virtual Environment
Chapter
Online resources provided
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Review and Assignment Completion
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
ePortfolio Assessment submission: Due on Week 13 Monday (9 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Contact information for Dr Md Mamunur Rashid: Email: m.rashid@cqu.edu.au; Office: Level 6, 120 Spencer Street, Melbourne Vic 3000; P +61 3 9616 0425 | X 50425.
If you have any queries, please email me and I will get back to you within one business day or so. For an individual discussion, please ring me during business hours (or leave a message if I am not in) and I will return your call as soon as possible.
1 Written Assessment
Week 6 Thursday (24 Apr 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Your assignment must be submitted in the format specified in the assignment. See Moodle unit website for details.
Week 8 Thursday (8 May 2025)
Online via Moodle
Your answers will be marked based on technical correctness, completeness, clarity including overall presentation quality and relevance.
Questions that ask you to show your working or calculations or the steps you took to arrive at your answers, may have marks deducted if such information is not provided. If a question requires you to submit a graphic (e.g. a screenshot or a diagram or table), the graphic must have sufficient resolution to show all its details clearly and be of a reasonable size for normal reader viewing, with all or any text within the graphic being legible and readable, in order to be marked.
Marks may be deducted or the work not marked if evidence exists of the inappropriate use of generative AI tools, or if evidence of any other form of plagiarism is found.
- Construct addressing schemes that achieve business goals while adhering to technical standards
- Justify the selection of network techniques and protocols to meet business requirements
2 Practical Assessment
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Your assignment must be submitted in the format specified in the assignment. See Moodle unit website for details. Results available on Certification of Grades Day
This assignment will be returned on Certification of Grades day
Your answers will be marked based on technical correctness, completeness, clarity including overall presentation quality and relevance.
Questions that ask you to show your working or calculations or the steps you took to arrive at your answers, may have marks deducted if such information is not provided. If a question requires you to submit a graphic (e.g. a screenshot or a diagram or table), the graphic must have sufficient resolution to show all its details clearly and be of a reasonable size for normal reader viewing, with all or any text within the graphic being legible and readable, in order to be marked.
Marks may be deducted or the work not marked if evidence exists of the inappropriate use of generative AI tools, or if evidence of any other form of plagiarism is found.
More detailed marking criteria can be accessed from Moodle.
- Apply routing and forwarding principles to interconnect multiple computer networks
- Illustrate the operation of application and transport protocols that are commonly used in delivering internet applications
- Apply testing and analysis tools to solve network design problems
- Explain the role of traditional networking protocols in contemporary technologies.
3 Online Quiz(zes)
Quizzes (15 marks)
You will complete two (2) quizzes in Moodle throughout the term: both quizzes must be taken in your assigned tutorial class. Each quiz will cover lecture and tutorial topics from the weeks leading up to that quiz. Each quiz will consist of multiple-choice questions, and/or calculations. There will be multiple independent questions in each quiz. All quizzes are individual assessments. The quizzes have a maximum of 7 and 8 marks respectively, so the Quizzes component is 15% of unit marks.
Each quiz will be time-limited, typically allowing you between 15 and 30 minutes to complete the quiz. Quiz time limits, topics, number of attempts allowed, and open/close times can be found on Moodle. Read on for more details about in-class quizzes.
In-class quizzes
The two (2) in-class quizzes must be taken in your assigned tutorial class. The quiz will open shortly after the start of your tutorial class and will close after the time limit has been reached. You will be allowed only a single attempt at the in-class quiz, with the score for that attempt counting towards your grade.
In-class quizzes will be held during the tutorials in weeks: 5 and 10. In-class quizzes will be supervised. While they will be open book, you are not allowed to communicate with anyone while the quiz is open.
You will not be allowed to take an in-class quiz at times outside of your assigned tutorial unless an Assessment Extension Request is approved. The quiz will close at the same time for all students in your tutorial. If you arrive late for the tutorial, you will not be granted extra time.
For students studying via distance (online), the Unit Coordinator will organise a time in which you can undertake a supervised quiz via Zoom screen sharing.
ePortfolio Assessment (20 marks)
As part of the reflective component of this unit, you are required to develop a Project Portfolio with ten entries (2 marks for each week) on a weekly basis starting from Week 2 of the term until Week 11. The ePortfolio is to be a record of every activity undertaken to develop your skills in this Unit. ePortfolio submission is due on review week (Week 13). Full instructions including the marking criteria about this assessment is available on Moodle site. You must read it.
2
Other
See the task description in Moodle or the Unit Profile for due dates/times
Quizzes - One week after the due date; ePortfolio - This assignment will be returned on Certification of Grades day
In most cases, all quiz answers will be automatically marked, with marks awarded based on the correctness of the answer within the context of topics covered in lectures and tutorials. Questions may be worth different marks, with the marks indicated in the quiz. If you believe an item has been incorrectly marked, please refer it to the Unit Coordinator who will investigate and resolve as appropriate.
- Apply routing and forwarding principles to interconnect multiple computer networks
- Construct addressing schemes that achieve business goals while adhering to technical standards
- Illustrate the operation of application and transport protocols that are commonly used in delivering internet applications
- Justify the selection of network techniques and protocols to meet business requirements
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?
