Module: Computer Networks 2

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Computer Networks 2
Module Code	CSC1042 (ITS: CA304)
Faculty	Computing	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Builds in the foundations of CA169. Students will program in a TCP/IP networking environment and have an appreciation of the choices available in the adoption of various up to date networking technologies within the TCP\IP framework.

Learning Outcomes

1. Provide an overall picture of how a computer may be integrated into a LAN and on into the Internet, from the point of view of the hardware required to do so and the software requirements.
2. Distinguish between the various LAN technologies in use today, including the characteristics of the hardware and software components and the modes of operation of each.
3. Appreciate the complexity of the construction of robust and non robust communications protocols and how issues such as latency, error detection and error correction are dealt with.
4. Develop software using sockets for communications across a TCP\IP based internet.
5. Implement some of the common cryptographic techniques use to securely exchange information across a network.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Laboratory	12	No Description
Lecture	24	No Description
Fieldwork	53	Independent Learning
Fieldwork	36	Completion of guided/structured project work.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10221	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Mohammed Amine Togou	Module Teacher	Brian Stone, Michael Scriney

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Series of assessments on networking components, focused on their configuration, use and role within a network.	25%	n/a
Formal Examination	n/a	75%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	6,
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Networks II

NETWORK PROGRAMMING: UNIX Sockets (TCP & UDP) in C & C++, Java.

Features of Local Area Networks, wirred and wireless.

Introduction to symmetric and public key cryptography. Basic operation of crypto systems, digital signatures, key sharing, authentication and non repudiation. Introduction to DES, Diffie Hellman and RSA. Features of network security.

Role of the client protocols within the TCP\IP suite. Analysis of network traffic, TCP\IP, SYN, traffic as well as DHCP, ICMP, ARP and DNS traffic

Subnetting and Supernetting IP V4 addresses,practice and practicalities.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None