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CIT854

Network Design And Programming

  • Sciences
  • 800 level
  • 3 credit units
  • 260 pages
  • 27 units

This course introduces networking concepts and programming techniques. It covers networking architecture and underlying mechanisms. The course integrates theoretical concepts with practical techniques through case studies. It starts with basic building blocks of a computer network and progresses to interconnection of networks and communication across them. It also covers programming techniques for utilizing network resources and discusses the use of sockets in programming.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
39 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical, practical, case study
Practical work
Yes
Before you start
  • Basic knowledge of computer operations
  • Basic knowledge of programming
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

CIT854 · Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture

Networks may also include some devices such as printers, used only through the network. Though these devices cannot operate in a stand alone mock. wewi II not consider such devices to be stations or modes on the network, but as a separate category of peripherals devices, accessed through the network.

What you should be able to do

  1. Identify key elements of a computer network.
  2. Describe the application of layering models in the design of networks.
  3. Discuss the underlying algorithms of networking protocols.
  4. Develop and outline design solutions to meet specific networking requirements.
  5. Develop C programs in the Unix environment.
  6. Discuss the underlying techniques and algorithms used in network programming.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Network Engineer
  • Network Administrator
  • System Administrator
  • Network Programmer
  • IT Support Specialist
Where it is applied
  • Telecommunications
  • Information Technology
  • Computer Networking
  • Software Development
  • Data Communication
Tools
  • C programming language
  • Unix operating system
  • Networking hardware components

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture

    Unit 8: OSI 7-Layer and Internet 4-Layer models

    OSI 7-layer and Internet 4-layer models require understanding of complex network communication processes and protocols.

  • Module Two: intertletW

    Unit 1: IP Naming and Addressing

    IP Naming and Addressing requires understanding of subnetting, CIDR, and address allocation strategies.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 48 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture
    • Unit 1: Network Overview · 3 hours

      Read the definition of computer networks.. Understand the roles of computer networks in today's business.. Identify the various classes of computer networks and their applications.. Discuss the reasons for installing networks.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture
    • Unit 2: Nodes and Links · 3 hours

      Discuss the basic building blocks of a computer network.. Explain the rationale for nodes and links in a network.. Discuss the factors to be considered in the choice of link.. Discuss the types of signals available.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture
    • Unit 3: Network Topology · 3 hours

      Discuss the meaning of network topology.. Understand the various topologies available.. Determine the type of topology(ies) that suites a particular application.. Understand the various implementations of the various topologies.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture
    • Unit 4: Network Adaptors and Cabling · 3 hours

      Identify the various types of cables available.. Appreciate the various types of adaptors available.. Carefully select appropriate cable(s) required for an application.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture
    • Unit 5: Network Operating System · 3 hours

      Explain the rationale for NOS in computer networks.. Understand the basic functions of NOS.. Identify the various types of NOS that we have.. Discuss freely the specific characteristics of each of them.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  6. Week 6Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture
    • Unit 6: Network Technologies · 3 hours

      Understand the concept of collision.. Illustrate how media access control mediate access by multiple nodes to a common link.. Illustrate the various MAC protocols available.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  7. Week 7Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture
    • Unit 7: Encoding and Error Detection · 3 hours

      Understand the rationale for encoding and error detection in data transmission.. Illustrate the various encoding schemes available.. Understand the various error detection schemes.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  8. Week 8Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture
    • Unit 8: OSI 7-Layer and Internet 4-Layer models · 3 hours

      Describe the concept of the OSI model and Internet model, and their differences.. Explain the concept of layering internetwork structure.. Understand the routine for layering in network protocols.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  9. Week 9Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture
    • Unit 9: Network Hardware Components · 3 hours

      Understand the relationship between network devices and protocols.. Describe the features of different network devices.. Demonstrate the use of network devices in different network designs.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  10. Week 10Module 1: Network Basics and Architecture
    • Unit 10: The roles of IP, TCP,and UDP · 3 hours

      Identify the different roles of IP, TCP and UDP in Internet communication.. Describe the features of the Internet protocol.. Discuss the TCP and UDP mechanism.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  11. Week 11Module Two: intertletW
    • Unit 1: IP Naming and Addressing · 3 hours

      Discuss IP naming and address translation mechanism.. Understand the relationship between the physical address and the IP address.. Discuss the various classes of IP address available.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

    • Unit 2: IP Routing · 3 hours

      Understand the issues involved in analysing network requirement.. Understand the traffic analysis of a network.. Know how to apply network simulation for solutions to problems.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  12. Week 12Module Two: intertletW
    • Unit 3: The TCP · 3 hours

      Analyse the importance of TCP in the TCP/IP protocol suite.. Understand the difference between ports and socket addresses.. Discuss the synchronisation process in a TCP connection.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

    • Unit 4: The UDP · 3 hours

      Discuss the underlying principles behind UDP transport-layer protocol.. Understand why UDP is preferred to TCP in some applications.. Use the UDP checksum to detect errors in the data transmitted.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

  13. Week 13Module Two: intertletW
    • Unit 5: Design Goals · 3 hours

      Analyse the trade-offs among key network variables.. Evaluate the costs required and the benefits provided by the network.. Determine the specific size and type of circuits and equipment that constitute the network system.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

    • Unit 6: Analysis of Network Requirements · 3 hours

      Understand the steps involved in network implementation.. Understand the importance of network maintenance and management.. Explain the functional area of network management.. Discuss the major components of a network management system.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their solutions thoroughly.
  • Create concept maps linking Units 1-3 network architecture and topology concepts.
  • Practice subnetting and IP addressing problems from Units 1 and 2 of Module Two.
  • Focus on understanding the differences between TCP and UDP protocols (Units 3 and 4 of Module Two).
  • Study the OSI and TCP/IP models, focusing on the functions of each layer (Unit 8 of Module One).
  • Practice writing simple socket programs in C, focusing on error handling and network I/O (Module Three).
  • Understand the differences between various network devices and their functions (Unit 9 of Module One).
  • Review the different routing algorithms and their characteristics (Unit 2 of Module Two).

Questions students ask about this course

What is CIT854 about?

This course introduces networking concepts and programming techniques. It covers networking architecture and underlying mechanisms. The course integrates theoretical concepts with practical techniques through case studies. It starts with basic building blocks of a computer network and progresses to interconnection of networks and communication across them. It also covers programming techniques for utilizing network resources and discusses the use of sockets in programming.

How many units does CIT854 have?

CIT854, Network Design And Programming, has 27 units across 3 modules, over 260 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is CIT854?

CIT854 carries 3 credit units, at 800 level in Sciences.

Is CIT854 hard?

CIT854 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.

How long does CIT854 take to study?

About 39 hours of study, spread across its 27 units.

How is CIT854 assessed?

CIT854 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What do I need before starting CIT854?

Basic knowledge of computer operations Basic knowledge of programming

What can I do with CIT854?

Network Engineer, Network Administrator, System Administrator, Network Programmer and IT Support Specialist.

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