Net-Centric Computing
- Sciences
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 240 pages
- 24 units
This course furnishes students with comprehensive knowledge of internetworking and net-centric computing. It explores how systems connect, communication modes, parallel systems, and distributed environments. Topics include wireless technology, network security, client-server communication, and web application building. Students will also learn about distributed transactions, service-oriented architectures, mobile and cloud computing, and wireless application protocols. The course aims to equip learners with the knowledge of network fundamentals, wireless technologies, and cloud computing service models.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 120 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical
- Practical work
- Yes
- Basic computer literacy
- Introductory networking concepts
- Self assessment exercises
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CIT421, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CIT421 · UNIT 2: MOBILE & WIRELESS COMPUTING
Distributed computing, however, can include heterogeneous computations where some nodes may perform a lot more computation, some perform very little computation and a few others may perform specialized functionality (like processing visual graphics).
What you should be able to do
- Identify the configurations of Distributed systems
- Describe the standards of wireless technology
- Implement security schemes or ciphers on the network
- Explain the categories of networks
- Define the concept of Parallel Systems
What it prepares you for
- Network Engineer
- Cloud Architect
- Security Analyst
- Software Developer
- Database Administrator
- Telecommunications
- Cloud Services
- Finance
- Healthcare
- E-commerce
- UML
- Hadoop
- Spark
- Ionic
- React Native
- Xamarin
- Adobe PhoneGap
- J2ME
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Distributed Systems
Unit 4: Remote Methods Invocation
Understanding the nuances of distributed object communication and the underlying network protocols requires a solid grasp of networking fundamentals and object-oriented programming principles.
- Module 4: Distributed Transactions
Unit 1: Introduction to Distributed Transactions
The two-phase commit protocol and its implications for data consistency and fault tolerance in distributed systems require careful study and logical reasoning.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 56 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Net-Centric Computing Fundamentals
Unit 1: Introduction to Distributed Computing · 4 hours
Understand the concept of distributed systems.. Explore the architectural models of distributed computing.. Define service orientation and virtualization..
- Week 2Module 1: Net-Centric Computing Fundamentals
Unit 2: Mobile and Wireless Computing · 4 hours
Define wireless communication.. Classify mobile and cloud computing.. Identify and describe mobile hardware components.. Discuss security issues in mobile computing..
- Week 3Module 1: Net-Centric Computing Fundamentals
Unit 3: Network Security · 4 hours
Explain the concept of network security.. Understand the importance of network security.. Identify and explain network security tools and techniques..
- Week 4Module 1: Net-Centric Computing Fundamentals
Unit 4: Client/ Server Computing (Using the web) · 4 hours
Explain the concept of client-server networks.. Describe a client and a server.. Identify the differences between client-server and peer-to-peer network configurations..
- Week 5Module 1: Net-Centric Computing Fundamentals
Unit 5: Building Web Application · 4 hours
Explain the concept of a web app.. Enumerate the prerequisites for building a web application.. Describe the steps for building a web application..
- Week 6Module 2: Parallel Systems
Unit 1: Introduction to Parallel Systems · 4 hours
Define the concept of parallel systems.. Explore the parallel systems types.. Differentiate between the two Single Instruction, Multiple Data stream (SIMD) schemes..
- Week 7Module 2: Parallel Systems
Unit 2: Parallel Programming Models · 4 hours
Explain the concept of parallel programming.. Enumerate and explain parallel programming models: MPI, OpenMP, MapReduce, CUDA..
- Week 8Module 2: Parallel Systems
Unit 3: Message Passing Programming · 4 hours
Define what a message is.. Explain the concept of message passing.. Describe the Single Program Multiple Data (SPMD) model..
- Week 9Module 2: Parallel Systems
Unit 4: Dependence Analysis · 4 hours
Explain the concept of dependence analysis.. Describe how dependencies are found and why they are used.. Understand how dependency analysis works..
- Week 10Module 2: Parallel Systems
Unit 5: Open MP Programming · 4 hours
Explain the concept of OpenMP programming.. Define thread and process.. Differentiate between threads and processes.. Identify and explain the OpenMP programming models..
- Week 11Module 2: Parallel Systems
Unit 6: Evaluation of Programs · 4 hours
Define program evaluation.. Identify and explain types of program evaluation.. Identify the barriers to program evaluation and ways of overcoming them..
- Week 12Modules 1 & 2
Review and Assignments · 6 hours
Review key concepts from Modules 1 and 2.. Work on assignments and TMAs..
- Week 13Final Revision
Final Revision · 6 hours
Complete any remaining assignments.. Prepare for final examinations..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Module 1's networking concepts to Module 3's distributed systems.
- Practice applying security protocols from Unit 3 to different network scenarios.
- Review parallel programming models from Module 2, focusing on their trade-offs.
- Study the two-phase commit protocol in Unit 1 of Module 4, focusing on failure scenarios.
- Practice UML diagramming for component-based designs from Unit 5 of Module 3.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CIT421 about?
This course furnishes students with comprehensive knowledge of internetworking and net-centric computing. It explores how systems connect, communication modes, parallel systems, and distributed environments. Topics include wireless technology, network security, client-server communication, and web application building. Students will also learn about distributed transactions, service-oriented architectures, mobile and cloud computing, and wireless application protocols. The course aims to equip learners with the knowledge of network fundamentals, wireless technologies, and cloud computing service models.
How many units does CIT421 have?
CIT421, Net-Centric Computing, has 24 units across 5 modules, over 240 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CIT421?
CIT421 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Sciences.
Is CIT421 hard?
CIT421 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.
How long does CIT421 take to study?
About 120 hours of study, spread across its 24 units.
How is CIT421 assessed?
CIT421 is assessed by self assessment exercises, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What do I need before starting CIT421?
Basic computer literacy Introductory networking concepts
What can I do with CIT421?
Network Engineer, Cloud Architect, Security Analyst, Software Developer and Database Administrator.