Unit Outline: Version 4 July 2012

School of Engineering

Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology

KNE434 Computer and Data Networks

Second Semester/2012

Unit Outline

Dr Danchi Jiang

CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Outline: Version 4 July 2012

Contact details Unit coordinator/lecturer Unit coordinator/lecturer: Dr Danchi Jiang Campus: Hobart Email: Danchi.Jiang@utas.edu.au Phone: 6226 2145 Fax: 6226 7247 Room number Engineering Bldg. Room 308 Consultation hours: 2-3pm daily except my teaching time / or email

Danchi Jiang for appointment at a particular time

© The University of Tasmania 2012

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Contents

Unit description* 2 Intended learning outcomes* 2 Generic graduate attributes^ 2 Alterations to the unit as a result of student feedback* 3 Prior knowledge &/or skills 4 Learning expectations and teaching strategies/approaches 4 Learning resources required 4 Details of teaching arrangements* 6 Specific attendance/performance requirements* 7 How your final result is determined* 9 Submission of assignments* 9 Requests for extensions 9 Penalties* 9 Review of results and appeals 9 Academic referencing* 10 Academic misconduct* 10 Further information and assistance 11 Unit schedule 11

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Unit description* This unit discusses fundamental principles, standards, methods, and techniques for computer and data networks.

Topics discussed includes OSI model, data link protocols, circuit, packet and message switching methods, network topologies, multiple access strategies, lEEE802 suite with emphasis on wired and wireless LANs, Measurement of network efficiency and the applications of queue theory to the analysis of network throughput and response time, with examples of network planning, design and performance simulation. In addition, network congestion control techniques such as Token passing bus and token ring networks, CD/CSMA and Ethernet systems TCP/IP, Routing, and some state of art data and sensor networks are also discussed.

Teaching staff: Dr Danchi Jiang

Unit weight: 12.5%

Teaching pattern: face-to-face teaching with combined lecture and tutorial sessions. 4 hours per week with aditional lab seesions.

Intended learning outcomes* On completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Understand basic principles of computer and data networks, including layered structure, protocol and its functionalities, administration and control, etc.

2. Understand basic design considerations, efficiency measurement and analysis, and techniques of common computer and data networks. Be able to estimate network efficiencies in typical scenarios.

3. Understand typical wired or wireless data networks.

4. Understand routing and delay models and be able to apply them to solve practical problems in computer and data networks.

5. Simulate a computer and data networks using state of art computing tools and based on that analyse a network performance.

Generic graduate attributes^ The University has defined a set of generic graduate attributes (GGAs) that can be expected of all graduates (see http://www.utas.edu.au/governance-legal/policy/documents/alphabetical-policy/g/genericattributes_grads1.pdf).

By undertaking this unit you should make progress in attaining the following attributes:

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Knowledge: Understanding of technical aspects of computer and data networks will be developed from the learning of this unit. Skills will also be developed for analysing basic aspects of major aspects.

Communication skills: Capability of technical discussion, presentation, and reporting will be developed to reflect students’ understanding of computer and data networks.

Problem-solving skills: Students will be able to solve typical problems by applying understanding and skills developed in this unit.

Global perspective: Students will be developing understanding and familarity of global computer and data network industry and typical technical trends.

Alterations to the unit as a result of student feedback* The following improvements are planned based on the various forms of feedback from previous students and teaching trends in UTAS:

-A constructive alignment approach together with criterion-reference assessments will be introduced to provide a better guidance for study.

-adjustments of contents to meet the changes of dependent units

-Consolidate two lab sessions introduced in 2011 for students to develop their problem solving skills. Two more lab sessions are introduced to increase the opportunity of hands-on experience.

- The assessment package is adjusted to give students balanced working load.

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Prior knowledge &/or skills

Assumed skills A background in calculus. and basic mathematics. Some exposure to statistics, electrical engineering and computing is also desirable. Prerequisite units KMA154 Calculus and Applications 1B

Learning expectations and teaching strategies/approaches

Expectations The University is committed to high standards of professional conduct in all activities, and holds its commitment and responsibilities to its students as being of paramount importance. Likewise, it holds expectations about the responsibilities students have as they pursue their studies within the special environment the University offers.

The University’s Code of Conduct for Teaching and Learning states:

Students are expected to participate actively and positively in the teaching/learning environment. They must attend classes when and as required, strive to maintain steady progress within the subject or unit framework, comply with workload expectations, and submit required work on time.

Teaching and learning strategies

The teaching and learning can be considered as a guided tour to explore a cluster of key technical topics.

The basic form of teaching is face-to-face. By this way students are guided to focus on well selected set of technical topics, with background information discussed interactively.

Active thinking and participation of class discussion are highly encouraged. Self-study of the contents can be difficult and very inefficient. Exploration beyond the selected topics can be time-consuming.

Tutorial is organised to enhance the topics discussed in lectures and should be considered as an important part of teaching/learning activity. Students are encouraged to play an active role in the tutorial discussion.

Lab practice sessions are carefully designed to help students digest what they have learnt in lectures and apply their knowledge and skills in practice.

Learning resources required

Recommended reading

1. Title: Data Networks Author: Bertsekas & Gallager

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2. Title: Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, 5th Edition, International

Standard Edition. Author: Bruce Davie & Larry Peterson

3. Title: Data & Computer Communications: International Version Author: Stallings

E- (electronic) resources

Library

MyLO

The URL for this unit is https://mylo.utas.edu.au/webct/logon/2801826564011

Other

Handouts in classroom.

Miscellanous reources obtained from internet. Referred to links available in the context.

Equipment & materials

Computer hardware & software

Unit-specific software

OPNET.

For MyLO

To access MyLO from your own computer you will need the appropriate software, and hardware to run that software. Please see UConnect at http://uconnect.utas.edu.au/ for information about computer software you will need.

Note: Older computers may not have the hardware to run some of the required software applications. Contact your local IT support person or the Service Desk on 1818 if you experience difficulties.

See MyLO: Information for Students for further information about accessing MyLO.

There are two MyLO systems running in the second semester. Because the new system is still trial version, the old system is used of this unit.

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Details of teaching arrangements*

Lectures/Intensive sessions/Tutorials On average 3 hours lectures and 1 hour tutorial is planned for each week. The tutorial is carefully designed to improve the understanding of the lecture.

Workshops/seminars

Online activities Tutorial problems are distributed on-line before they are discussed. Each student is expected work out his/her solutions within one week after the tutorial session. Solution will be provided on MyLo afterwards.

Students may ask questions online on MyLo and will answered in reasonable time. Questions through Email or phone are also welcome.

Videoconference activities

For information about videoconferencing at UTAS and how to participate effectively, see the Students’ guide to Videoconferencing available at: http://www.utas.edu.au/itr/videoconf/StudentGuide2006.pdf

Practical/laboratory sessions Three practice experiments with various durations have been arranged. 1. Introduction to OPNET and Ethernet: A direct link network with media access control. One session (3 hours). 2. Wireless local area networks. One session (3 hours) 3. Network routing and performance analysis. Two sessions (2X3 hours). One formal (Lab 3) reports is required to be submitted within two weeks after the lab sessions, and two simple (labs 1 and 2) laboratory assessments are conducted on-site.

Field trips Not planned at this stage

Practicum/work experience placements N/A

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Occupational health and safety (OH&S) The University is committed to providing a safe and secure teaching and learning environment. In addition to specific requirements of this unit you should refer to the University’s policy at: http://www.admin.utas.edu.au/hr/ohs/pol_proc/ohs.pdf

Specific attendance/performance requirements* This unit is a face-to-face teaching unit. Class room attendance is required for students to follow the lectures/tutorials. Student with more than 40% absent time is subject to be rejected from sitting for the final exam.

Student must attend at least one lab session for each two-session lab project and submit a report for each of them, and attend the one session lab. Otherwise, zero mark will be given to that lab project.

Assessment schedule* Assessment task Date due Percent

weighting Links to Intended Learning Outcomes

Midterm test Week 8 10% 1,2,3

Lab 1 On-site 5% 1,2,5

Lab 2 On-site 5% 1,2,3,5

Lab 3 One week after the lab sessions

10% 1,2,3,4,5

Final exam Final exam period

70% 1,2,3,4

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Assessment details*

Task description Mid-term test: Covers contents lectured in week 1~7.

Task length 110 minutes.

Links to unit’s intended learning outcomes

1,2,3

Assessment criteria

Marked based on competency and extent the students demonstrate in answering questions, application of theory and techniques learnt in lectures and develop solutions in clearly defined, simplified situations.

Date due At the end of the each test session

Lab reports

Task description & assessment criteria

Lab 1 and Lab 2 are assessed on-site without written reports. They are assessed based on students’ understanding and capability to build network models and use that to simulate basic aspects of the network.

Lab 3 report is required to submit within one week of the lab sessions. Detailed assessment criteria is given in the lab instruction sheet.

Task length Labs 1 & 2 are single session practicals. Each session is 3 hours. The third lab is six hours divided into two sessions.

Links to unit’s learning outcomes

1,2,3, 4, 5

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Final exam#

Description / conditions A comprehensive examination designed to assess your understanding of majority of the theory and techniques discussed in this unit, analytic and problem solving capability you have developed, and your capability to express your answers logically and appropriately.

Date The final exam is conducted by the University Registrar in the formal examination period. See the Current Students homepage (>Examinations and Results) on the University’s website.

How your final result is determined* Your aggregate mark is determined by combining each component of the assessments according to the weights specified in the Assessment Schedule. The minimum requirements for pass include the satisfactory of all of the following conditions

Both course works and exam marks are not less than 45%.

Your final aggregate mark is not less than 50%.

Submission of assignments* -Submission of the lab report within one week of the last session of that particular lab project.

Requests for extensions Only extensions on the basis of medical reasons will be considered. Other requests should be escalated to school or faculty office.

Penalties* Late submission of the laboratory report may incur a penalty of 10% deducted for each day late.

Late submission for on-site lab assessments are not accepted.

Review of results and appeals Please refer to the faculty policy:

http://fcms.its.utas.edu.au/files/policies/Teaching_and_Learning_Operational_Guide_6.pdf

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Academic referencing* In your written work you will need to support your ideas by referring to scholarly literature, works of art and/or inventions. It is important that you understand how to correctly refer to the work of others and maintain academic integrity.

Failure to appropriately acknowledge the ideas of others constitutes academic dishonesty (plagiarism), a matter considered by the University of Tasmania as a serious offence.

For information on presentation of assignments, including referencing styles:

http://utas.libguides.com/referencing

Please read the following statement on plagiarism. Should you require clarification please see your unit coordinator or lecturer.

Academic misconduct* Academic misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, allowing another student to copy work for an assignment or an examination and any other conduct by which a student:

(a) seeks to gain, for themselves or for any other person, any academic advantage or advancement to which they or that other person are not entitled; or (b) improperly disadvantages any other student.

Students engaging in any form of academic misconduct may be dealt with under the Ordinance of Student Discipline, and this can include imposition of penalties that range from a deduction/cancellation of marks to exclusion from a unit or the University. Details of penalties that can be imposed are available in Ordinance 9: Student Discipline – Part 3 Academic Misconduct, see http://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/23991/ord91.pdf.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a form of cheating. It is taking and using someone else's thoughts, writings or inventions and representing them as your own; for example, using an author's words without putting them in quotation marks and citing the source, using an author's ideas without proper acknowledgment and citation, copying another student's work. If you have any doubts about how to refer to the work of others in your assignments, please consult your lecturer or tutor for relevant referencing guidelines, and the academic integrity resources on the web at: http://www.academicintegrity.utas.edu.au/

The intentional copying of someone else’s work as one’s own is a serious offence punishable by penalties that may range from a fine or deduction/cancellation of marks and, in the most serious of cases, to exclusion from a unit, a course or the University.

The University and any persons authorised by the University may submit your assessable works to a plagiarism checking service, to obtain a report on possible instances of plagiarism. Assessable works may also be included in a reference database. It is a condition of this arrangement that the original author’s permission is required before a work within the database can be viewed.

For further information on this statement and general referencing guidelines, see http://www.utas.edu.au/plagiarism/ or follow the link under ‘Policy, Procedures and Feedback’ on the Current Students homepage.

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Further information and assistance If you are experiencing difficulties with your studies or assignments, have personal or life-planning issues, disability or illness which may affect your course of study, you are advised to raise these with your lecturer in the first instance. There is a range of University-wide support services available to you including Teaching & Learning, Student Services, International Services. Please refer to the Current Students homepage at: http://www.utas.edu.au/students/

Should you require assistance in accessing the Library visit their website for more information at http://www.utas.edu.au/library/

Unit schedule This schedule is tentative and subject to minor adjustment according to teaching and learning progress.

Time (16/07/2012-19/10/2012)

Contents

Week 1 (16/07-20/07) Introduction to Computer and Data Networks Week 2 (23-27 July) Layering of networks Week 3 (30/07-3/8) Direct link networks-Framing and Error detection Week 4 (6-10 Aug) Direct link networks-flow control, HDLC Week 5 (13-17 Aug) Ethernet (802.3), Rings (802.5), Lab 1 Week 6 (20-24 Aug) Wireless networks Week 7 (27-31 Aug) Internetworking and routing, Lab 2 3/9/2012-10/9/2012 Mid-term break Week 8 (10-14 Sept) Internetworking and routing, Midterm Exam Week 9 (17-21 Sept) Internetworking and routing, Week 10 (24-28 Sept) Network delays and queuing model, Lab 3 Week 11 (1-5 Oct) Network delays and queuing model, Lab 3. Week 12 (8-12 Oct) Network delays and queuing model Week 13 (15-19 Oct) Review and Misc

*Lab time schedule is tentative and may be subject to adjust according to the availability of venue.