To  introduce the principles of communications networks, their components and protocols.   

To provide students with the tools and techniques to analyse the performance of the main communications protocols, including: link layer, MAC layer, Network Layer (IP) including the main routing protocols, the transport control protocol (TCP), and basic packet queuing theory.

To provide an overview of the main topic areas in network/Cyber secuity including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, key  ciphers and applied cryptogrphy, and secure sockets layer (SSL).

(LO1) Knowledge and Understanding:On successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:- The structure of communications networks and how these can be described and analysed using standard reference models (OSI, TCP/IP).- The common protocols used over the major  wired and wireless networks, and ther Interent. - The concept of quality of service (QoS) as applied to networks, and the techniques for implementing it.- The essential parts of an Interent router and the main routing protocols used over the Interent.- The basic issues concerning how to secure networks and the techniques used to address these.

(LO2) Intellectual Abilities: On successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge of the above topics to: - Design and analyse communications networks - Analyse the behaviour, and predict the performance of the communications protocols they have learned. - Analyse and predict the behaviour of queues in packet switched networks. - Analyse and predict the performance of common Internet routing algorithms when applied to differnt network topologies.  - Analyse QoS for communications networks.  - Analyse the security requirements for specific networks and network configurations.

(S1) On successful completion of the module, students should be able to show experience and enhancement of the following key skills: Independent learning Problem solving and design skills

(S2) Practical Skills:On successful completion of the module, students should be able to show experience and enhancement of the following key skills:- General mathematical and IT skills.- The ability to analyse and configure networks and protocols.

Introduction  
Module Overview; assessment; relation with other modules
Introduction - the Internet 3 4 5 6  7 9
Overview of communications networks
Reason and topology for networking Network classification
Network architectures
Network reference models
Network applications and trends

Physical Layer of Communication Networks
Theoretical Basis for Data Communication
Transmission Media and Wireless Transmission
Public Switched Telephone Network
Cellular Networks

Data Link Layer of Communication Networks
Functions of the Data Link Layer
Design Issues of the Data Link Layer
Framing
Forward  Error Control
Link Layer Performance
ARQ Error Control (via retransmission)
Flow Control
4 5 6  7 9
Example Data Link Protocols

MAC Sublayer of Communication Networks
Broadcast Networks Multiple Access Protocols Contention/ Random Access protocols Throughput anal ysis of Aloha protocols CSMA/CD LANs Ethernet (IEEE 802.3)
Wireless LANs (IEEE 802.11)

Network Layer of Communication Networks
Overview of the Network Layer
virtual circuits
Network inpairments and QoS parameters
Routing
Architecture of a basic router
Basic routing functions
Path Determination and Optimality
Algorithms: Shortest path, Bellman-Ford and Link-State routing Congestion Control
Internetworking
The Network Layer in the Internet
IPv4 and IPv6
IP addressing

Transport Layer of Communication Networks  
Overview of the transport layer
Transport protocol
Addressing  7 9
Multiplexing
Flow Control
Error Control
Connection Management
Transport Protocols in the Internet:
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)  
7 9

Packet Switching and Queuing Theory  
Circuit versus Packet switching
Interen t Router architectures
Switch fabrics and packet switch architectures
Basic queuing theory
loss and delay systems
Kendall's notation and classification of queuing models
M/M/1, M/D/1, M/G/1
multi-server queues and PK formulae
applications of queuing theory

Application Layer of Communication Networks
DNS--The Domain Name System
E-Mail
WWW
Multimedia

Network Security
Overview of Network  and Cyber Security
Firewalls
State and stateful packet inspection
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems
Hashing and Authentication
Key ciphers and public key cryptography
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided
Notes: Seminars/Tutorials

Teaching Method 3 - Assessment
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided
Notes: formal examination