Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Networks and Internets
Module Code	CA599
School	School of Computing
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Brian Stone Semester 2: Brian Stone Autumn: Brian Stone
Module Teacher	Brian Stone
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The aim of this module is to introduce students to basic networking technologies, internetworking and internet applications. Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the basic underlying principles of the Internet, and identify its main hardware and software components.
2. 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 computer processes or devices and exchanging information seamlessly with those processes and devices.
3. 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, electronic commerce applications including internet gaming, business-to-business applications and online shopping.
4. 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.
5. Explain the need for computer networks protocols as the underlying infrastructure for Web based electronic commerce applications.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of IP subnetting and an ability to subnet an IP address
7. Understand how Computer Communications Protocols are constructed to provide error free links catering for latency and error detection and correction.
8. 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.
9. Demonstrate proficiency in network traffic analysis and operation of common TCP\IP protocols on the network.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	All topics on course
Tutorial	6	Web based assistance for laboratory work
Assignment	12	Wireshark exercises
Lab	12	Independant student lab based learning
Independent learning	21	Independant investigation and study
Total Workload: 75

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.
Network Reference architectures, the OSI and TCP\IP models. Fundamentals of communications protocols, framing, addressing, frame numbering, parity, CRC error codes, error detection and protocols for error free communication. Local Area Networks: Ethernet; WiFi. The TCP\IP protocol family, including TCP, UDP, SCTP and IP. IP addressing, CIDR addresses. TCP/IP client protocols, ICMP, DNS, ARP and RARP. Ethernet traffic capture and analysis with tools such as TCPDump, ipconfig and Wireshark. Introduction to IP addressing and subnetting of IP addresses. Introduction to IP forwarding and Internet Routing. Application layer functions and protocols for web browsing with HTTP and email with SMTP, POP and IMAP..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	50%	Examination Weight	50%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Report (s) (written / oral)	A set of exercises to learn the Wireshark applicationand analyse traffic generated at all levels of the protocol stack and also applications such as Web browsers or email	30%	Week 8
Multiple choice questions	Test of ability to subnet an IP address correctly	20%	Week 10

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List