Due to an issue with the number of Level 4 units required (minimum 36cp), it is necessary to provide a level-4 version of FIT3165 Computer Networks for BSE students.

29/06/2017 Change to 2 hr exam duration to comply with new policy.

January 2019: Amendments to Workload Requirements was made as; Tutorial (2hr) Scheduled in PC Labs. FIT4165 is co-taught with FIT3165. The unit FIT3165 was taught in Semester-1 2018 as 2 hours tutorials in PC Labs. Hence the unit FIT4165 taught for the first time and is co-taught with FIT3165, so the change is reflected to what was offered in FIT3165 Semester-1 2018 and matches it to current offering in semester-1 2019 and onwards.

24/9/19: Admin - updating the exam duration to include additional 10 minutes as per University requirement.

24/09/2020 Admin: Update to include new assessment and teaching approach fields as per Handbook requirements.

05/02/2021: Admin - adding 'Reasons for Change' - updating workload from 2 hour lecture, 2 hour lab to 2 hour lecture, 2 hour tutor. Justification: The claim is 2 hr of preparation, 2 hrs of contact, and the associated 2 hrs/session will be used for meetings and consultations as and when needed for weekly consultations(week-3 onwards), Assignments consultations and pre-exam consultations. This we usually record in the google shared folder for each tutor and updated by admins tutor for each week.

10/02/2021: revised assessment regime to replace lab participation marks -- changes made on behalf of Malik Khan

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. analyse critically the network architecture standards for open systems;
2. analyse critically and apply the ISO reference and Internet models;
3. implement programs using internetworking concepts, IP addressing, IPC and socket-level interface;
4. analyse critically the fundamentals and technologies of cabled and wireless physical layer;
5. analyse critically the fundamentals and technologies of cabled and wireless data-link layer;
6. analyse critically and implement the fundamentals and technologies of the network layer, including packet-switching and queueing concepts;
7. analyse critically and implement designs based on the functions and architectures of cabled and wireless LAN and WAN, including ALOHA and CSMA/CD/CA models;
8. implement and evaluate system level designs based on LAN architecture for organisational requirements.

020113

The unit introduces computer networks with an explicit software and system-centric focus. It provides foundation skills in data communications, networks, and associated software interfaces, and introduces basic principles in network design, configuration, management and security.

Students generally must be able to complete the requirements of their course without the imposition of fees that are additional to the student contribution amount or tuition fees. However, students may be charged certain incidental fees or be expected to make certain purchases to support their study. For more information about this, refer to the Higher Education Administrative Information for Providers, Chapter 18, Incidental Fees at http://education.gov.au/help-resources-providers

Please check with your lecturer before purchasing any required resources. Limited copies of prescribed texts are available for you to borrow in the library, and prescribed software is available in student labs.

Additional information, Open/free source tools:

• Wireshark is a free and open source packet analyzer. It is used for network troubleshooting, analysis, software and communications protocol development, and education. (download: https://www.wireshark.org/download.html)
• C & Java tools for network programming. Java SE 7 (download from https://www.oracle.com)
• Cisco Packet Tracer , an innovative network simulation and visualization tool used by Cisco Networking Academy students and instructors. ( https://www.netacad.com/courses/packet-tracer-download/) Note: it requires enrollment using student ID to download and use it for free.

Recommended resources

• Behrouz A. Forouzan and Firouz Mosharraf, Computer Networks: A Top-down Approach ,1st Edition, 2012 McGraw-Hill.
• Behrouz A. Forouzan, Data Communications and Networking, 4th Edition, 2007, or 5th Edition 2013 McGraw-Hill.
• Andrew S. Tanenbaum David J. Wetherall, Computer Networks, 5th Edition, Pearson 2014
• Kurose and Ross, Computer Networking ? A top-down approach , 6th Edition, 2012.
• Java SE 7 Tutorial. Online, accessible via http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/
• Java EE 6 Tutorial. PDF document, available at http://docs.oracle.com/javaee/6/tutorial/doc/javaeetutorial6.pdf

Technological requirements

Students are permitted to bring privately owned notebook or laptops into class.

On-campus

In this unit we will use the following teaching approaches to help the students understand the subject through lectures, tutorials and simulation in laboratory sessions. The unit will focus on understanding the fundamental concepts, and use and test these concepts in simulated environment:

• Lecture and/or tutorials or problem classes
• Online learning
• Problem-based learning
• Research activities
• Simulation

Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

• Two hours lectures
• Two hours Tutorials

(b.) Additional requirements (all students):

• A minimum of 8 hours of personal study per week in order to satisfy the reading, tutorial and assignment expectations.

Tutorial (2hr). Scheduled in PC Labs.

FIT2100 & FIT3159