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Unit Outline: ITEC803

Semester 1, 2012

Convenor: Dr. Ching Lin

Prerequisites: COMP347 or equivalent background on networking

Students should read this unit outline carefully at the start of semester. It contains important information about the unit. If anything in it is unclear, please consult convenor and lecturer of the unit.

ITEC803 Computer Networks

This unit concerns itself with the design and implementation of real-world computer networks. We consider the various layers of modern network systems design, from the IP layer, through software protocol layers to the application protocols. Technical issues inherent to each layer are examined including addressing, routing, network congestion control, multicasting, TCP, data representation, application protocol design and network security. This unit provides an in-depth coverage of computer networking at the IP layer and above. 

Teaching Staff

Role	Name	Email	Room	Consultation times
Convenor, Lecturer	Dr. Ching Lin	ching.lin@mq.edu.au	C5C236	Immediately after the lecture

All emails related to ITEC803 should be sent to the Convenor and must include your full name and your student id number.

Classes

Classes are held from 6-10pm Tuesday evenings. Lectures/Tutorials and other discussion are in C5C236 in the lecture slot. There will also be some practical work (3 sessions of practical work) in E6A265.

Required and Recommended Texts

Text

[KR] J.F. Kurose and K.W. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top Down Approach, 5 ed. Prentice Hall 2010.

OR

[C] D. Comer Computer Networks and Internet 5 ed. Prentice Hall 2009.

Other Useful Books

[T] A.S. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks, Prentice Hall, 4 ed. Pearson Education, 2003.

[C] D. Comer, Internetworking with TCP/IP, vol. 1, 4 ed., Prentice Hall 2000.

[BDC] W. Stallings, Business Data Communications, 5 ed., Prentice Hall 2001.

[O] P. Oppenheimer, Top-Down Network Design, 3 ed., Cisco Press 2011.

Unit Web Page

The web page for this unit can be found by logging in to iLearn at ilearn.mq.edu.au.

Learning Outcomes

A student completing the unit should have:

1. Understanding of key technologies for each network layer.
2. Understanding of design and analysis of protocols.
3. Understanding of key concepts in networking such as addressing, routing, multicast and TCP.
4. Understanding of key issues related to network security and application layer design.
5. Understanding of significant applications of networks.

In addition to the discipline-based learning objectives, all academic programs at Macquarie seek to develop students' generic skills in a range of areas. One of the aims of this unit is that students develop their skills in the following:

• The ability to carry out advanced and broadly based problem-solving [assignments and tutorial exercises]
• The ability to apply creative thinking.
• Self-awareness, knowledge of own abilities, strengths, weaknesses, self-discipline and motivation, independent learning skills [assignments in particular]
• The ability to perform time management for themselves and to meet deadlines [assignments in particular]
• Teamwork and cooperative learning skills [tutorial group activities]
• The ability to read, analyse and understand written material [assignments and assigned readings]
• The ability to research, analyse and synthesise [assignments and tutorial exercises]
• Numerical and quantitative skills [tutorial exercises]
• Information technology skills [assignments]
• Communication skills -- written [assignments] and oral [tutorial discussion]
• An awareness of the influence of the disciplines on history and society [tutorial discussion]

Teaching and Learning Strategy

ITEC803 is taught via lectures and informal tutorial sessions. During the course there will be approximately 3 practical slots available for students to work on various networking tools.

Lectures

 

Lectures are used to introduce computer network technologies, protocols and design and put them in a wider context. You are encouraged to ask questions of the lecturer, both during and outside the lecture, to clarify anything you might not be sure of.

 

It should be noted that no single text book completely covers the content of this unit. A large portion of the lecture material is drawn from the Internet standard documents called the "Request For Comments" or RFC. Students are encouraged to read RFCs of relevant topics to gain a solid understanding of the topics that are covered.

 

Quizzes

 

There will be two quizzes in the following weeks: 6 and 12. A quiz is a short test that will be based on your previously covered lecture material. For example, week 6 quiz will be based on lectures done in weeks 1-5. The quiz questions will be handed over to you at the beginning of your Lecture class. These quizzes contribute 10% of the total mark and serve as a feedback mechanism to monitor your progress in the unit.

 

Tutorial

 

The tutorial gives you the opportunity to interact with your peers and with the lecturer. The tutorial sessions involve informal discussions with your peers and the lecturer On some weeks, you will be given problems to solve prior to the tutorial; preparing solutions is important because it will allow you to discuss the problems effectively with your lecturer and maximise the feedback you get on your work.

 

Practicals

 

Practical classes give you an opportunity to solve practical problems in computer networking such as router configuration. In these classes you will be given a number of problems to work on; it is important that you keep up with these problems as doing so will help you understand the material in the unit and prepare you for the work in assignments. The balance between tutorial and practical problems may vary from week to week.

 

In this unit, you should do the following:

• Attend lectures, take notes, ask questions.
• Attend your tutorial, seek feedback from your lecturer on your work.
• Prepare for and strive to do well in the two quizzes.
• Read appropriate sections of the text, add to your notes and prepare questions for your lecturer/tutor.
• Prepare answers to  tutorial questions.
• Work on any assignments that have been released.

Lecture notes will be made available each week but these notes are intended as an outline of the lecture only and are not a substitute for your own notes or the textbook.

Topic List

Assessment

Relationship Between Assessment and Learning Outcomes

1. Understanding of key technologies for each network layer: Assignment, Examination.
2. Understanding of design and analysis of protocols: Assignment, Examination.
3. Understanding of key concepts in networking such as addressing, routing, multicast and TCP: Assignment, Examination.
4. Understanding of key issues related to network security and application layer design: Assignment, Examination.
5. Understanding of significant applications of networks: Examination.

Assessment tasks

Task	Planned Date	Total Marks
Assignment 1: Network layer protocols	Due Week 9 (1/5/2012)	20%
Assignment 2: Case Study	Due Week 12 (22/5/2012)	20%
Quizzes	Week 6  (3/4/2012) Week 13 (29/5/2012)	10%
Final Examination	TBA	50%

Grading

Your final grade will depend on your performance in each part separately. In particular:

• You must perform satisfactorily in the examination in order to pass this unit.
• You must submit a reasonable attempt to the two assignments to pass this unit.
• You must perform satisfactorily in the assignments in order to pass this unit.

Assignments

All assignments should be submitted on paper at the start of the lecture on the day specified in the assignment description, or in advance of the due date by placing in the assignment box on the ground floor of building E6A.

All work submitted should be readable and well presented. Use A4 paper and staple the top-left corner. Do not use binders or folders as these are more difficult for the marker. Attach the standard assignment cover sheet. Follow specific formatting instructions provided with each assignment.

Remember to fully reference sources for material used in your assignments, whether quoted, paraphrased or otherwise used.  Harvard reference style is preferred.

Late work will not be accepted except due to illness or other misadventure. Work commitments are not considered misadventure. If your submission is affected by illness or misadventure, please contact the lecturer before the due date and submit what you have achieved, if at all possible, by the due date. If an extension is granted, you will be allowed to submit a revision of your assignment by the extended due date.

Examinations

The university examination period in First Half year 2012 is from 12-29 June.

You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in Final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of examinations.

You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, that is the final day of the official examination period.

The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration. Information about unavoidable disruption and the special consideration process is available on the web (PDF).

If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period. For details of the Special Consideration policy specific to the Department of Computing, see the Department's policy page.

Plagiarism

Please refer to the Department of Computing Plagiarism Policy for the definition of plagiarism, advice on avoiding it and the penalties in place if you are found to have submitted plagiarised work.

In this unit, plagiarism in assignments will be penalised with negative marks equal to the value of the assignment.  Additional penalties may be applied as described in the Departmental policy.  To avoid plagiarism, read the departmental and University policies and always fully acknowledge sources of material that is quoted, paraphrased or otherwise used in your assignment work. 

University Policy on Grading

Academic Senate has a set of guidelines on the distribution of grades across the range from fail to high distinction.

Currently, the Faculty of Science is implementing a new Standards Based Assessment. This will result in enhanced transparency in the marking of assignments. As well, the previously practice of 'scaling' final results will cease such that your final mark will be the aggregate of your individual assessments.

Student Support Services

Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au.

STAFF-STUDENT LIAISON COMMITTEE

The Department has established a Staff-Student Liaison Committee at each level to provide all students studying a Computing unit the opportunity to discuss related issues or problems with both students and staff.

For each meeting, an agenda is issued and minutes are taken. These are posted on the web at:

http://www.comp.mq.edu.au/units/800-liaison

Details of the regular meeting dates will be posted on the unit home page. Anyone with an interest in Computing units may attend. This includes staff involved in the teaching and administration of the units, and all students currently taking a Computing unit at that level.

There are formal Liaison Committee representatives for each unit who attend to present the views of the student body ; all students are welcome and are encouraged to attend.

The meetings are usually held in the Department of Computing Meeting Room, E6A357. To forward agenda items or get in touch with your representative, send an email to ching.lin@mq.edu.au. If you have exhausted all other avenues, then you should consult the Director of PGPD (Dr Peter Busch) or the Head of Department (Prof. Bernard Mans). You are entitled to have your concerns raised, discussed and resolved.