Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Rajan Shankaran
Contact via EXT: 9537
285, 4 Research Park Drive
By Appointment
Lecturer
Ian Joyner
TBA
|
---|---|
Credit points |
Credit points
3
|
Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(39cp at 100 level or above) including (COMP247 and COMP125 and (DMTH137 or DMTH237 or ELEC240))
|
Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
Unit description |
Unit description
This unit gives an understanding of advanced topics in the design and implementation of computer networks. It provides an in-depth understanding of key protocols of the TCP/IP protocol suite, and its relationship to emerging technologies. This unit allows students to develop knowledge and expertise in key areas such as intra- and inter-domain routing protocols, multicast protocols, different transport protocols, Quality of Service, and multimedia. These concepts are reinforced through tutorials and laboratory sessions. Knowledge gained during the unit builds upon communication protocols; topological designs; wide area and local area networks; wireless/mobile networks; as well as practical hands-on skills on Cisco equipment. It allows students to expand their skill set by exposure to socket programming paradigm enabling them to better understand the design and implementation of protocols. Some of the reasoning tasks that the students complete require focused thinking instead of iteratively modifying and testing a program. It also enhances students' skills in critical thinking and problem solving using challenging assignments.
|
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Assignment work must be written clearly, with good grammar, correct word usage, correct punctuation,and lack of spelling errors. Poor or bad expression will be penalized, Wherever required, all written work must be properly referenced and conform to standard stylistic conventions.
Note that while the practical material is structured against the lecture material, you need to keep in mind that there will not always be a one to one mapping between the practical exercises and the lecture topics. This is because you need some practical sessions to get acquainted to new tools and devices thereby limiting the number of practical time slots available to experiment with technologies discussed in some lectures.
Each Practical class is 2 hours in duration and is worth 2 marks. You work in a group but individual marks are assigned from group work.
The examination is a hurdle in this unit. Concretely, in order to pass the unit, you must get at least 40% of the marks in the final examination. Students who score between 30% and 40% will be eligible for a second chance examination.
Note
Students only receive a second attempt if they are capable of passing the unit. This means that the maximum they can receive from the second attempt (see the previous point) must be such that their final mark would add up to 50%+
Supplementary Examination
If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled and you will be informed via email of the date, time and venue. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.
If you are given a second opportunity to sit the final examination as a result of failing to meet the minimum mark required, you will be offered that chance during the same supplementary examination period and will be notified of the exact day and time after the publication of final results for the unit.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Quizzes | 10% | No | Weeks 5 and 11 |
Assignment 1 | 15% | No | Week 8 |
Assignment 2 | 15% | No | Week 12 |
Practicals | 10% | No | Weekly |
Final Examination | 50% | Yes | TBA |
Due: Weeks 5 and 11
Weighting: 10%
There will be two quizzes in the following weeks: 5 and 11. Each quiz is worth 5 marks. A quiz is a short test that will be based on your previously attempted discussion questions and previous lecture material. The quizzes will be held in your practical class. The quiz questions will be handed over to you at the beginning of your Practical class. The quiz will occupy approximately half an hour of the practical class for that week. These quizzes contribute 10% of the total mark and serves as a feedback mechanism to monitor your progress in the unit.
If you are unable to attend your practical on the day of your quiz please contact the tutor at the earliest possible time.
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 15%
Individual Assignment
Assignment Type: Problem Solving:
The purpose of the problem solving assignment is to help the students to get accustomed to dealing with real world problem situations/issues.It is designed to help students analyse a particular problem and find its best solution. Some questions may require an in depth research and will be a process to come up with an acceptable and reasonable answer
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 15%
Individual Assignment
Assignment Type: Problem Solving-Research: This type of assignment is designed to help students build up their critical thinking skills while looking for solutions to real world networking related problems.
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%
Practical marks are obtained by attendance of practical sessions and making a suitable attempt at the practical work during the session. The practical work in this unit makes up 10% of your mark. The practical work is divided up into 11 sections (Weeks 2- 12, Week 13-catch up session) . Each section is worth 2 marks. To receive your marks you must attend the practical section and demonstrate your completion of the section to your practical supervisor. Earning the marks will require not only successful completion of the exercises, but presentation of appropriate documentation, as outlined in the question sheets. You should complete the practical session in the week it is allocated. (and the practical material is structured against the lecture material with this in mind).
Note: We advise you to complete all sections to gain a good understanding of the covered topics.
Due: TBA
Weighting: 50%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
An examination allows us to individually and securely assess student's mastery of the coursework material. The examination will be closed book and three (3) hours in length.
The examination is a hurdle in this unit. Concretely, in order to pass the unit, you must get at least 40% of the marks in the final examination. Students who score between 30% and 40% will be eligible for a second chance examination.
Hurdle
Students only receive a second attempt if they are capable of passing the unit. This means that the maximum they can receive from the second attempt (see the previous point) must be such that their final mark would add up to 50%+
Supplementary Exam
If you receive Special Consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled after the normal exam period, following the release of marks. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application.
Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.
Lecture Classes are held in the following days:
Monday: 11:00 am- 1:00 pm 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave - T4 Theatre
Wednesday: 2 pm -3 pm 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave - T3 Theatre
Practical Sessions are held in the following days:
Monday: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm 9 Wallys Wlk - 240 Engineering Lab (9WW240)
Tuesday: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm 9 Wallys Wlk - 240 Engineering Lab (9WW240)
Tuesday: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm 9 Wallys Wlk - 240 Engineering Lab (9WW240)
Wednesday: 10;00 am - 122:00 pm 9 Wallys Wlk - 240 Engineering Lab (9WW240)
Wednesday: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 9 Wallys Wlk - 240 Engineering Lab (9WW240)
3 hours of lectures each week.
Lectures are used to introduce new material, give examples of the use of networking concepts and techniques and put them in a wider context. While lectures are largely one to many presentations, you are encouraged to ask questions of the lecturer to clarify anything you might not be sure of. Tutorial style discussions on important topics will be conducted in the lectures. These discussions will give you the opportunity to interact with your peers as well as the lecturer.
Practical classes give you an opportunity to practice your practical networking skills under the supervision of a demonstrator. Each week 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.
Note that while the practical material is structured against the lecture material, you need to keep in mind that there will not always be a one to one mapping between the practical exercises and the lecture topics. This is because you need some practical sessions to get acquainted to new tools and devices thereby limiting the number of practical time slots available to experiment with technologies discussed in some lectures.
There will be one 2 hour practical session each week, Conducted in a specially-equipped networking laboratory. There is no opportunity to conduct practical work outside the assigned sessions.
There will be two quizzes in the following weeks: 5, and 11. 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 1-4. 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.
Tutorials are posted every Friday on ilearn. Even though these tutorial exercises are not formally assessed, it is important that students solve them on a weekly basis as these questions are often previous exam questions or structured like test/exam questions. The more practice you have at such questions, the more likely you are to do yourself justice in quizzes/exams. Solutions to these exercises will be regularly posted on ilearn unit site. If need be, this will also allow you to discuss the problems effectively with your lecturer/peers and maximise the feedback you get on your work. In case of any difficulty, seek help from the teaching staff.
Your assignment is to be submitted online using Turnitin.
No extensions will be granted without an approved application for Special Consideration. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late. For example, 25 hours late in submission for an assignment worth 10 marks – 20% penalty or 2 marks deducted from the total. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted.
Internetworking with TCP/IP Volume 1, 6th edition Douglas Comer
Computer Networks (5th Edition) by Andrew S. Tanenbaum and David J. Wetherall
Computer Networks and Internets: Global (6th) Edition by Douglas Comer
Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach 6th edition by James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross
General Notes
In this unit, you should do the following:
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 recommended reading list.
Note: We anticipate that there may be some shifting of material depending on class progress during the lecture series.
Week | Topic | Reading |
---|---|---|
1 | Introduction to TCP/IP, addressing | Chap: Tanenbaum - 5, 1 pgs 45-54, Comer-21 |
2 | Introduction to Routing, Intra-Domain Routing |
Chap: Tanenbaum - 5 (pgs 362-380), Comer - 1, 2, 21, 27 |
3 | Intra domain Routing (Contd), CIDR | Chap: Tanenbaum - 5 (pgs 362-380, 447-449), Comer- 27 (section 27.16) |
4 | Inter-Domain Routing | Chap: Tanenbaum - 5 (pg 479), Comer - 27 |
5 | Inter Domain Routing (Contd) | Chap: Tanenbaum - 5 (pg 479), Comer - 27 Quiz 1 |
6 | IP Multicast | Chap: Tanenbaum - 5 (pg 382), Comer - 26. |
7 | IP Multicast (Contd), Introduction to transport Layer |
Chap: Tanenbaum - 5 (pg 382), Comer - 26 |
Break | Continue to Work on assignment 1 | |
8 | Transport Layer-Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) | Chap: Tanenbaum - 6, Comer - 26. Assignment 1 due. |
9 | Network Security | Chap: Tanenbaum - 8, Comer - 32-33. |
10 | Network Security (contd) and Design | Chap: Tanenbaum - 8, Comer - 26. |
11 | Internet Protocol (IP) version 6: An Introduction | Chap: Tanenbaum - 5 (pg 455), Comer - 20. Quiz 2 |
12 | Application Layer Protocols |
Chap: Tanenbaum - 7. RFC 3117. Comer - 4 Assignment 2 due |
13 | Review |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Late Submission
No extensions will be granted without an approved application for Special Consideration. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late. For example, 25 hours late in submission for an assignment worth 10 marks – 20% penalty or 2 marks deducted from the total. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted.
Supplementary Exam
If you receive Special Consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled after the normal exam period, following the release of marks. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.
In case of problems arising with your final grade, the first step is to organise a review. The Department recommends that you request an appointment with the convenor of the unit in order to review your grade. If the review does not solve the problem, a formal Grade Appeal can be lodged. For more information please refer to the grade appeal policy page at:
http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one's own. The Department, in line with University policy, treats all cases seriously. In particular, the Department, keeps a record of all plagiarism cases. This record is referred to so that an appropriate penalty can be applied to each case.
For concrete examples, refer to Academic Honesty Policy at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
The Department has established a Staff-Student Liaison Committee (300 level) to provide all students studying a Computing unit the opportunity to discuss related issues or problems with both students and staff. If you would like to raise any issues or make comments, please attend a liaison committee meeting, or discuss the matter with one of the student representatives who will be attending the meeting.
The committee meets two times during the semester. For each meeting, an agenda is issued and minutes are taken. These are posted on the web at http://comp.mq.edu.au/undergrad/info/liaison/300-level/
If you have concerns about the anything related to the organisation or operation of COMP347, please convey those concerns to the unit convenor, either directly or through the liaison committee. If you have exhausted all other avenues, then you should consult the Director of teaching (A/Prof Steve Cassidy) or the Head of Department (Professor Michael Sheng). You are entitled to have your concerns raised, discussed and resolved.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
New lecture content on Security and Backbone. Some new prac exercises have been added.
At the end of the semester, you will receive a grade that reflects your achievement in the unit
In this unit, the final mark will be calculated by combining the marks for all assessment tasks according to the percentage weightings shown in the assessment summary.
Hurdle
The final examination in this unit is a hurdle requirement; you must get a mark of at least 40% in the examination to pass the unit. If you get a mark between 30% and 40% in your first attempt at the final examination, you will be given a second and final attempt.
Concretely, in order to pass the unit, you must obtain an overall total mark of 50% or higher, and a mark of 40% or higher in the final examination.
Students obtaining a higher grade than a pass in this unit will (in addition to the above)
Note
Students only receive a second attempt if they are capable of passing the unit. This means that the maximum they can receive from the second attempt (see the previous point) must be such that their final mark would add up to 50%+
Note:
You are encouraged to:
All work submitted should be readable and well presented.
You should never commit plagiarism in any of your submitted work, including tutorial and practical answers.