32524 LANS and Routing

Subject Description

This subject will provide you with a foundational understanding of how computer networks operate, particularly in the creation, operation, and maintenance of local area networks (LANs). You will develop a working knowledge of IP addressing schemes and essential routing and switching techniques within autonomous systems, using specialised networking devices to build small-to-medium networks. Utilising Cisco Networking Academy's online resources, you will engage in regular hands-on practice and gain real-world problem-solving skills by performing basic configuration and troubleshooting tasks with Cisco routers and switches.

Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

1.     Design small to medium-sized routed and switched networks, including hierarchical IP addressing schemes, to meet specified requirements. (C.1)

2.     Apply computer network concepts and technologies to analyse and solve network problems. (D.1)

3.     Utilise appropriate networking equipment and media to implement, troubleshoot and verify connectivity of small to medium-sized networks using Cisco hardware and  software. (D.1)

4.     Demonstrate teamwork skills in labs and projects to achieve specified requirements. (E.1)

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Class Structure: Normal classes are comprised of a 1.5-hour lecture and a 2.5-hour tutorial/laboratory session per teaching week. Laboratory sessions follow a workshop-style approach combining small group activities, hands-on labs, Q&A sessions, and online tests.

To complement the weekly lectures, tutorials, and labs, students are expected to dedicate an additional six hours to self-directed study.

Pre-reading and Practising: Pre-studying the relevant chapters before they are covered in   class and practising hands-on labs are essential for students’ success in this subject. Careful  notes made during students’ self-directed pre-study will greatly assist with the Final Exam. During lab sessions, students will engage in hands-on labs in groups and make careful notes in their Engineering Journals, which will be very helpful for the skills-based assessments.

Group Work and Assessments: Nearly all hands-on activities are conducted in groups, with each group typically consisting of two or three students. Groups are formed at the start of the session and are expected to work together on the weekly labs and for practical assessments. However, most marks are allocated to tasks where students are marked individually. Also, in-class discussions and Q&A sessions are conducted for most lab sessions to facilitate active, collaborative learning.

Communication and Resources: UTS Canvas (canvas.uts.edu.au) is used to disseminate all internal information to students. A dedicated Microsoft Teams channel will be created for students to pose and answer questions. Students are expected to log into Teams on a frequent basis to read messages and actively participate in discussions.

Workload and Conduct Expectations: The subject's workload and pace require students to exercise considerable diligence and make efficient use of class time and lab facilities.

Accordingly, to ensure a productive learning environment, activities unrelatedto the curriculum are strictly prohibited in the internetworking labs.

Content (Topics)

The major topics covered in this subject are:

1. Network Access

2. Ethernet

3. Network Layer

4. IP Addressing and Subnetting

5. Transport and Application Layer

6. Static Routing

7. Single-area OSPFv2

8. VLANs

9. ACLs and NAT for IPv4

10. DHCP

Required and Recommended Texts

All required and recommended texts for this subject are contained in the Reading List which you can access from the Canvas site menu.

Other Required Resources

If you have concerns about affording the course-related costs for this subject, UTS Financial Assistance can help you plan ahead or apply for grants or interest-free loans.

Minimum Requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

Attendance Requirements

4hpw; 1.5hpw (lecture), 2.5hpw (tutorial/laboratory)

Assessment Feedback

Generally, students are provided with feedback (marking sheets, returned work, in-class feedback, or individual detailed, oral feedback) on all assessment tasks during lab sessions within three weeks of the submission. However, if the assessment is conducted in the last week or outside of teaching weeks, students may need to contact their lab instructor or the Subject Coordinator to negotiate a reasonable manner for them to receive the feedback.

Assessment task 1: Mid-session Assessment

Description: The purpose of this early session assessment is to provide

students with early feedback, enabling them to adjust their learning strategies and enhance their learning efficiency.

This assessment consists of two equally weighted tasks:

• Part I Subnetting Quiz (50%): is an individual

assessment task that requires each student to subnet an IPv4 network with VLSM to meet the specified requirements within a set time limit. This is a closed-book assessment. No references, calculators, mobile phones, smartwatches, or any electronic devices are permitted during the assessment.

• Part II SBA1 (50%): is a group-based, hands-on

practical task assessed as a group. In this task, each group is required to build a small network using the allocated hardware and perform basic configurations to establish end-to-end connectivity within a set time limit. Handwritten notes are allowed for this task, but they must not include the full network configuration script of any network. No other resources (including textbooks,   lab manuals, printed materials, or electronic devices) are allowed.

Please note that this assessment is considered a 'milestone' assessment. Students who miss their scheduled session due to illness or other documented legitimate reasons may be rescheduled for a later or alternative time within the same week, as much as practically feasible. However, if this rescheduling is not possible, the student will receive a zero for this component.

Learning Outcomes: •  SLO3 Utilise appropriate networking equipment and media

to implement, troubleshoot and verify connectivity of small to medium-sized networks using Cisco hardware and software.

(D.1)

• SLO4 Demonstrate teamwork skills in labs and projects to achieve specified requirements. (E.1)

Type: In session exam

Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed

Weight: 10

Length: The duration for Part I Subnetting Quiz is 12 minutes, and Part

II SBA1 is 30 minutes for standard group sizes. Solo groups are allocated slightly extended assessment time for Part II.

Assessment task 2: Case Study

Description: As an authentic, comprehensive assignment, this assessment

task provides an opportunity for students to integrate individual topics covered in each week into a real network.

This assessment task is a comprehensive project that covers all the main topics for this subject. It is to be completed as a group activity outside of scheduled class time, with 75 percent of its total marks being awarded individually. The task involves designing, implementing and testing a small-to-medium-sized network based on the requirements specified in the Case Study document that will be issued in Week 3.

Groups are to read the requirements, and design, build and test the network progressively as the topics required are covered during lab sessions.

The Case Study will be assessed as a group-based assignment and consists of the following two-stage submissions:

• Part A: IPv4 Addressing Milestone Submission

(25%): Each group as a whole is required to submit their IPv4 addressing scheme to their instructor before the milestone due day for feedback.

• Part B: PT Demo Video Submission (75%): By the

final due day, students as groups are to submit a recorded video showing each of the group members orally presenting their Packet Tracer (PT) network, justifying how each part of their network is designed and implemented so it meets the specified requirements. A  copy of the PT file completed by the group should also be submitted for feedback.

Late Submission: Please note that since feedback and detailed solutions will be provided in Week 11, late submissions will not be accepted.

It is worth noting that the workload for properly completing this assignment is not trivial. The preparation for this task will help students prepare for the final assessments.

Learning Outcomes: •  SLO1 Design small to medium-sized routed and switched

networks, including hierarchical IP addressing schemes, to meet specified requirements. (C.1)

• SLO2 Apply computer network concepts and technologies to analyse and solve network problems. (D.1)

• SLO3 Utilise appropriate networking equipment and media  to implement, troubleshoot and verify connectivity of small to medium-sized networks using Cisco hardware and software. (D.1)

• SLO4 Demonstrate teamwork skills in labs and projects to achieve specified requirements. (E.1)

Type: Project

Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed

Weight: 20

Length: For Part B, each student is expected to present for approximately

10 minutes, covering the required items for the devices allocated to them.

Assessment Feedback:

General high-level feedback, including sample solutions and detailed marking criteria, will be provided in the week following the due date. Detailed marks may take up to three weeks to be available.

Assessment task 3: Final Skills-based Assessment

Description: As a final practical assessment, this assessment task evaluates

students' competency on their hands-on skills.

This is a hands-on practical assessment based on group work. For a typical group of three students, 80% of the marks are awarded for items on which each student in the group is assessed individually and the remaining 20% is group assessed. In case of other group sizes, the task will be adjusted to match the group size.

Given the network specifications and detailed tasks, each group will have approximately one hour to build a small-to-medium-sized network using real equipment allocated by the instructors. Students are expected to apply their knowledge and skills to cable the network, configure devices, and troubleshoot as necessary to demonstrate the network's connectivity and functionality. Students may use their handwritten Engineering Journals/notes, subject to the instructors' inspection.

Learning Outcomes: •  SLO2 Apply computer network concepts and technologies to

analyse and solve network problems. (D.1)

• SLO3 Utilise appropriate networking equipment and media  to implement, troubleshoot and verify connectivity of small to medium-sized networks using Cisco hardware and software.

(D.1)