Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2008 - 2009

Module Title	Networks & Internet
Module Code	CA169
School	School of Computing
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Mr Brian Stone	Office Number	L2.45
Level	1	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None

Module Aims

This module aims to equip students with the basic knowledge of how local area networks and the Internet work and how they interact. To give them an appreciation of the interaction of the main protocols and the helper protocols combine to provide a hierarchy of communications services.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to: Understand the infrastructure of the Internet, its organisation and how typical Web applications work, how they use services hidden from the user to provide functionality for applications such as web browsing, email, instant messaging, internet gaming and online shopping.Provide an overall picture of how a computer may be integrated into the Internet, from the software running on that computer, its hardware, accessing the Local Area Network, providing translation from the local MAC address to the global IP address space, finding and connecting to remote computers or devices and exchanging information seamlessly with those devices.Describe the basic underlying principles of the Internet, and identify its main hardware and software components.Distinguish between different LAN technologies and environments, including the characteristics of the equipment and protocols used to provide connectivity and services in a shared environment.Understand how Computer Communications Protocols are constructed to provide error free links catering for latency and error detection and correction.Explain how LANs interact with the Internet and have an understanding of what components, devices such are switches and routers are necessary to achieve Internet connectivity.Have an appreciation of the Internet, its core protocols and the services provided. Describe the Internet and the basic protocols that support it (TCP/IP).Explain the role of switching, forwarding and routing in the Internet.Subnet IP addresses, using knowledge of the binary numbering system, manage the IP address space and also have practical knowledge of Supernetting CIDR addresses. Describe and justify the Client-server model for software applicationsUse practical network traffic capture and analysis tools, analyse LAN traffic, as generated by Web browsing and see the encapsulation of communications protocols in practice.

Indicative Time Allowances
	Hours
Lectures	36
Tutorials	12
Laboratories	24
Seminars	0
Independent Learning Time	78

Total	150
Placements
Assignments

NOTE

Assume that a 10 credit module load represents approximately 150 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus

Network Reference architectures, OSI and TCP\IP. Fundamentals of communications protocols, framing, addressing, frame numbering, parity, CRC and Hamming codes, error detection and correction schemes. Local Area Networks: Ethernet; WiFi. Ethernet traffic capture and analysis with tools such as TCPDump, ipconfig and Wireshark. The TCP\IP family, including TCP, UDP and IP. IP addressing, Subnetting, CIDR addresses and Supernetting. Introduction to IPv6. Client protocols, ICMP, NAT ARP and RARP. Introduction to forwarding and Internet Routing with IP, RIP and OSPF.

Assessment
Continuous Assessment	30%	Examination Weight	70%

Indicative Reading List

Core Essential Computer Networks , Tannenbaum, Prentice Hall Supplementary Data Communications,
Supplementary Computer Networks and Open Systems , Halsall, Addison Wesley TCP/IP Illustrated , Stevens, Addison Wesley

Programme or List of Programmes

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSc in Computer Applications

BSc in Enterprise Computing

ECSA

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)

ECSAO

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)

HMSA