Overview
This unit provides you with fundamental skills and knowledge in the design and operation of computer networks. It deals in-depth with the techniques described in current Internet protocols to forward data packets from source to destination through different types of networks. You will focus on the Transport and Internet layer functions with emphasis on IPv4 addressing as well as switching and routing technologies. An introduction to IPv6 and transition issues is included. The unit covers these functions in both Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs). The function of the key protocols in wireless networks are also discussed, ensuring a well-rounded grounding to enable easier adaptation to imminent significant developments such as the global adoption of IPv6 and the growing dominance of wireless networking in business and everyday life. Delivery of this comprehensive content is through a weekly lecture and tutorial which includes theory and some hands-on lab activity where available.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: COIT20246 Networking and Cyber Security Anti-requisite: COIT20229 Networking with TCI/IP.
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 Postgraduate 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 Student feedback
Consider incorporating more practical activities, e.g. cloud computing, into the assessments to enhance hands-on learning and reinforce students' understanding of the learning materials.
Integrate hands-on lab exercises using cloud computing tools such as Microsoft Azure into the unit. Assessing one or more of the lab activities should serve to reinforce student learning and enhance their practical experience.
Feedback from Student feedback, reflection
Ensure feedback on assessment is clear, informative and practical to students.
Establish a minimum standard for delivering marker feedback that emphasises clarity, informativeness, and practicality to students. This should ensure a benchmark consistency across campuses and staff in providing feedback that meets student expectations.
- Apply your knowledge in Network Routing to solve problems in wired and wireless networks
- Develop IP addressing plans for organisational networks
- Analyse the application of wireless network technologies in different scenarios
- Compare and contrast the protocols and standards in routing and switching
- Evaluate the complexities involved in transitioning to new technologies such as IPv6.
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 being 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 8 (the SFIA code is included):
- Systems Design (DESN)
- Systems integration and build (SINT)
- Network Support (NTAS)
- Configuration Management (CFMG).
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.
- 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 organization's Local and Wide Area Network connections.
- 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]).
- K0108 Knowledge of concepts, terminology, and operations of a wide range of communications media (computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber, 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., e-mail, VOIP, IM, web forums, Direct Video Broadcasts).
- K0138 Knowledge of Wi-Fi.
- K0332 Knowledge of network protocols such as TCP/IP, Dynamic Host Configuration, 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.
- 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 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 3 - In-class Test(s) - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||
| 4 - Research | |||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
Data Communications and Networking With Tcp/Ip Protocol Suite
Edition: 6th (2021)
Authors: Forouzan, B
McGraw Hill
New York New York , NY , USA
ISBN: 9781260597820
None
None
Additional Textbook Information
This book is available to read online through the Library website. If you want your copy, you can purchase either paper or eBook copies at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code).
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Cisco Packet Tracer
- VirtualBox
- Wireshark - Network Protocol Analyser
- Github.com Account
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
y.lin@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Internetworking
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Encapsulation and Decapsulation in Internetworking
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Internet Protocol
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Switching in LANs and Virtual LANs
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The first in-class test in this week's tutorial class.
Module/Topic
Routing
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
In-Class Test Report Submission: The first lab report for the Week 4 tutorial lab exercise is due this Friday at 11:45 PM.
Module/Topic
Enjoy the break!
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Internetworking in Practice
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Network services: DHCP and DNS
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
HTTP and HTTPS
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The second in-class test in this week's tutorial class.
Portfolio Due: Week 8 Friday (9 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Security in Internetworking
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
In-Class Test Report Submission: The second lab report for the Week 8 tutorial lab exercise is due this Friday at 11:45 PM.
Module/Topic
Wireless Networking
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The third in-class test in this week's tutorial class.
Module/Topic
Advanced networking
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
In-Class Test Report Submission: The last lab report for the Week 10 tutorial lab exercise is due this Friday at 11:45 PM.
Module/Topic
Presentations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The teamwork presentation will be arranged this week.
Networking Project Due: Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
For any term-specific information, please get in touch with the Unit Coordinator via E-mail.
Unit Coordinator: Dr Yufeng Lin
E-mail: y.lin@cqu.edu.au
1 Written Assessment
Written Assessment Instructions:
Portfolio Maintenance:
- Maintain a portfolio in GitHub for weekly (regularity will be assessed) tutorial activities in Weeks 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7.
- Include screenshots, testing results, reflections, and notes of key knowledge.
GitHub Repository:
- Create a private GitHub repository for this unit at the start of the term.
- Record your portfolio weekly in this repository.
Submission:
- Submit the portfolio in Week 8 via Moodle.
- Provide the link to your private GitHub repository.
Week 8 Friday (9 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Submit the link of your created GitHub private repository for this unit via Moodle.
Week 10 Friday (23 May 2025)
Two weeks after submission due date. Late submissions with or without extension approvals may be returned after the above dates.
Portfolio Assessment Criteria:
- Clarity:
- How clearly you present your weekly contributions.
- Relevance:
- How relevant your entries are to the weekly tutorial questions.
- Quality:
- The overall quality of your portfolio entries.
- Regularity
- How frequently you update your portfolio in your GitHub repository.
- Apply your knowledge in Network Routing to solve problems in wired and wireless networks
- Develop IP addressing plans for organisational networks
2 In-class Test(s)
Lab Exercises and Reports:
Lab Exercises:
- Weeks 4, 8, and 10: Supervised in-class tests during tutorial classes.
- Collect materials for draft lab reports during these exercises.
Lab Reports:
- Week 4: 10% of total marks.
- Week 8: 20% of total marks.
- Week 10: 20% of total marks.
- Submit each report the next week after the respective lab exercise.
Submission Deadlines:
- The first lab report (10%): Due Friday of Week 5.
- The second lab report (20%): Due Friday of Week 9.
- The final lab report (20%): Due Friday of Week 11.
Additional Information:
Further details and guidance will be available on the unit Moodle website.
The first lab report (10%) is due on Friday of Week 5, the second lab report (20%) is due on Friday of Week 9, and the final lab report (20%) is due on Friday of Week 11.
The submission of lab reports for the in-class tests will be returned through Moodle in two weeks after their due dates. Late submissions with or without extension approvals may be returned after the above dates.
Lab Report Assessment Criteria:
- Clarity: How clearly you present your findings.
- Relevance: How relevant your report is to the lab exercises in Weeks 4, 8, and 10.
- Quality: The overall quality of your work.
Additional Information:
- More details will be provided on the unit Moodle website.
- Apply your knowledge in Network Routing to solve problems in wired and wireless networks
- Develop IP addressing plans for organisational networks
- Analyse the application of wireless network technologies in different scenarios
- Compare and contrast the protocols and standards in routing and switching
- Evaluate the complexities involved in transitioning to new technologies such as IPv6.
3 Written Assessment
Group Assignment Instructions:
- Group Size: Form a group of three students (the tutor may adjust this based on class size).
- Task: Build a network service or implement security practices using the Internetwork created in your lab exercises.
- Report: Write a report explaining how to create a new network service, including steps and testing results.
Security practices, network performance maintenance, and monitoring could be considered in your report. - Presentation: At the end of the term, present your internetworking practices.
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Late submissions are subject to the university's late submission penalty policies.
Assessments will be returned on the Certification date (required for the unit without an exam).
Marking Criteria for Internetworking Practice:
- Introduction:
- Introduce your Internetwork practice, highlighting its novelty.
- Environment Description:
- Describe the Internetworking environment.
- Service/Security/Performance:
- Detail the service you built, the security practices you implemented, or the performance maintenance/monitoring you conducted.
- Presentation Slides:
- Quality and clarity of your presentation slides.
- Presentation:
- Effectiveness of your presentation.
Your group will be evaluated on teamwork, accuracy, clarity, and how well your work fits a chosen internetwork practice. For more details, check the unit website.
- Analyse the application of wireless network technologies in different scenarios
- Compare and contrast the protocols and standards in routing and switching
- Evaluate the complexities involved in transitioning to new technologies such as IPv6.
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?
