| Aim of Module | To enable students to extend their knowledge of computer networking and network architectures. |
| Credits | 7 |
| Knowledge Assumed From | NM600 (NM200) LAN Administration, NM61n (NM21n) Applied LAN Administration, DC600 (DC200) Data Communications or NE600(NE200) |
| Student Learning hours | 70 |
| Content Revised | 2004 |
| Prescription Expiry Date | Nov 2007 |
| Topics | Highest Skill Level | Suggested Assessment Percentage | |
| 1 Network Architectures | C | 15 | |
| 2 Local Area Networks | P | 25 | |
| 3 Wide Area Networks | P | 25 | |
| 4 Network Interconnections | C | 15 | |
| 5 Network Management | C | 20 | |
| 100 | |||
| LEARNING OUTCOMES The Student Will | ||
| C | 1 | Describe typical network architectures. |
| P | 2 | Perform a detailed study of a typical LAN configuration. |
| P | 3 | Perform a detailed study of a typical WAN configuration. |
| C | 4 | Describe interconnections between diverse networks. |
| C | 5 | Describe the requirements for network management. |
| 1 | Network Architectures |
| > | Network architectures described will include: | |
| - The ISO Model | ||
| - The TCP/IP suite | ||
| - IBM’s Systems Network Architecture (SNA) and may include others eg. DNA | ||
| 2 | Local Area Networks |
| > | The design and implementation of a LAN will include: | |
| - Media types | ||
| - Hardware options (devices) | ||
| - Software (NOS options) | ||
| - Communications protocols | ||
| - Features and constraints | ||
| 3 | Wide Area Networks |
| > | The design and implementation of a WAN will include: | |
| - Hardware options (devices) | ||
| - Communication networks (options) | ||
| - Communications protocols | ||
| - Features and constraints | ||
| 4 | Network Interconnections |
| > | The interconnection of diverse networks will be described in terms of: | |
| - Hardware (devices) | ||
| - Communications protocols | ||
| - Communication networks (options) | ||
| - Security issues | ||
| 5 | Network Management |
| > | Network management issues described will follow the ISO management model and include: | |
| - Fault management | ||
| - Accounting management | ||
| - Configuration and name management | ||
| - Performance management | ||
| - Security management | ||
| Note | ||
| > | While a case study may be used for the detailed examination of a typical LAN configuration, designing and constructing a LAN is the preferred option. | |
| > | It is expected that the detailed examination of a WAN will be performed using a case study. | |
| > | For the analysis of synchronous protocols use a product such as Triticom’sTM LANdecoderTM. | |
| > | When investigating protocols used in the design and implementation of networks (LANs and WANs) it is expected that the major emphasis will be on TCP/IP. | |