Unit Description and General Aims

The objective in presenting this unit is to impart to students the fundamental principles of communication systems and networks. The subject matter covered in this unit will include: the OSI standard and layered architecture for networking; Five layers in the OSI protocol stack (physical, data link, network, transport and applications); Radio telemetry. The fundamental concepts presented here will be used in a later communication unit.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this Unit, students are expected to be able to:

1. Distinguish components of a computer network and the Internet.
   Bloom's Level 4
2. Describe the OSI layer architecture
   Bloom's Level 2
3. Select appropriate network technologies for physical and data link layers.
   Bloom's Level 5
4. Examine principles and operation of network layer protocols.
   Bloom's Level 4
5. Examine principles of operation of transport layer protocols.
   Bloom's Level 4
6. Examine principles of operation of application layer protocols.
   Bloom's Level 4
7. Design a radio telemetry system.
   Bloom's Level 6

Student assessment

Overall requirements: Students must achieve a result of 50% or above in the exam itself to pass the exam and must pass the exam to be able to pass the unit. An overall final unit score of 50% or above must be achieved to pass the unit once all assessment, including the exam, has been completed.

Prescribed and Recommended Readings

Textbook

Reference

• J. Kurose and K. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 8th edition, 2021
• Parziale, L, Britt, DT, Davis, C, Forrester, J, Liu, W, Matthews, C, Rosselot, N 2007, TCP/IP Tutorial and Technical Overview, 8th edn, IBM Redbooks, ISBN 0738494682. Online version available at: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/gg243376.pdf
• Dietrich, R 2004, Industrial Ethernet - From the Office to the Machine - World Wide, HARTING Electric GmbH & Co. Online version available at: http://www.harting.com/fileadmin/harting/documents/lg/hartingusa/news/hotlink/harting_industrial_ethernet_handbook.pdf
• IDC Technologies, Setting up, Understanding and Troubleshooting of Industrial Ethernet and Automation Networks, IDC Technologies, Perth.
• IDC Technologies, Best Practice in Industrial Data Communications, IDC Technologies, Perth.
• IDC Technologies, Practical Data Communications & Networking for Engineers and Technicians, IDC Technologies, Perth.

Notes and Reference texts

• IDC notes and Reference texts as advised.
• Other material advised during the lectures

Knovel library: http://app.knovel.com

Unit Content

One topic is delivered per contact week, with the exception of part-time 24-week units, where one topic is delivered every two weeks.

Topic 1

Introduction

1. Computer Networks and the Internet
2. Network Edge: Access Networks, Physical Media
3. Network Core: Packet Switching, Circuit Switching
4. Protocol Layers, Layered Architecture, and the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model

Topic 2

Physical layer

1. Cable characteristics (noise, grounding, shielding)
2. Practical cabling (standards, connectors, grounding, impedance, opto-isolators, termination, and transients)
3. Copper cabling (Near End Cross Talk (NEXT))
4. Coaxial cables (construction, characteristics)
5. Fibre optic (construction, multi-mode, single mode, splicing, connectors, testing, optical time domain reflectometer)

Topic 3

Data link layer

1. Data link layer (PDU, addressing scheme, functions and protocols)
2. Switching technologies (address table, Virtual LAN (VLAN), Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), Virtual Private Network (VPN))

Topics 4 and 5

Network layer

1. Network layer (functions, protocol data unit, addressing scheme)
2. IP packets (IPv4 addressing, header, subnet masking, prefix notation, private addresses)
3. IPv6 as successor to IPv4
4. IP addressing, Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
5. Routing (tables, manual and dynamic convergence)
6. Routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, EIGRP)
7. Routing tables, default gateways
8. Network Address Translation (NAT), Port Forwarding, firewalls

Topics 6 and 7

Transport Layer

1. TCP/IP protocol standard
2. Transport layer (protocol data unit, addressing scheme, functions)
3. User Datagram Protocol (characteristics, operation)
4. Transmission Control Protocol (characteristics, operation)

Topics 8 and 9

Application Layer

1. The Web and HTTP
2. Electronic Mail
3. Domain Name System (DNS)
4. Peer-to-Peer applications
5. Video streaming and content distribution networks

Topics 10 and 11

Radio Telemetry

1. Principles of operation: line of sight, repeaters, environmental factors fading
2. Infrastructure and architecture: site selection and access, antenna support, loading and torsional stability

Topic 12

Project and Unit Review

In the final week, students will have an opportunity to review the contents covered so far. Opportunity will be provided for a review of student work and to clarify any outstanding issues.

Software/Hardware Used

Software

• Software: N/A
• Version: N/A
• Instructions:  N/A
• Additional resources or files: N/A

Hardware

• N/A

Unit Changes Based on Student Feedback