Study information

Network Engineering 1 - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLENetwork Engineering 1 CREDIT VALUE30
MODULE CODEECM3436DA MODULE CONVENERUnknown
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 11 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 10
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

***DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP STUDENTS ONLY***

The primary role of a network engineer is to design, install, maintain and support communication networks within an organisation or between organisations. They need to maintain high levels of network performance and availability for their users, such as staff, clients, customers and suppliers. They will understand network configuration, cloud, network administration and monitoring tools, and be able to give technical advice and guidance. As part of their role they need to be proficient in technology solutions as they will analyse system requirements to ensure the network and its services operate to desired levels. They will need to understand the data traffic and transmission across the network and they have a major role to play in ensuring network security.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to give you basic competence in network engineering, including essential knowledge of the building blocks of computer networks and the internet and basic skills in planning, designing, constructing and managing simple networks.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1. Plan, design, build and test a simple network to a requirement specification that includes typical devices such as hubs, switches, routers and wireless user devices applying appropriate security products and processes;

2. Identify and evaluate network security risks

3. Install and configure network components, including switches, routers and firewalls

4. Demonstrate understanding of the fundamental building blocks (e.g. routers, switches, hubs, storage, transmission) and typical architectures (e.g. server/client, hub/spoke) of computers networks and the Internet

5. Undertake troubleshooting investigation on common network devices and services, and carry out basic remediation actions

6. Carry out routine and incident-related network monitoring
 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

7. The role and function of virtual or physical network components and functions and typical topologies and service architectures.
 
8. The main network protocols in use, their purpose, features and relationship to each other. For example, Ethernet, IP (Internet Protocol), TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), OSPF (Open Shortest Path First).
 
9. The benefits and risks of cloud computing and the common integration deployments (private, public, hybrid). Including the benefits and risks of virtualisation as a concept; key features of virtualisation and current cloud platforms available.
 
10. The main factors that affect network performance, and how to mitigate these on network performance by implementing changes to QoS. For example, Traffic Shaping, Policing, Queuing, Topology (physical and logical), and Network Policy (Traffic Analysis, DPI (Deep Packet Inspection).
 
11. Key security concepts. For example threats, vulnerabilities, exploits, detection and mitigation techniques, and security program elements such as user awareness, physical access control, multi-layer defence models.
 
12. Identify and collate stakeholder needs in relation to computer network requirements, plans and designs.
 
13. Plan, design, document, and develop the relevant elements of a computer network within an organisation or between organisations, taking into account customer requirements (performance, scale), constraints (budget, equipment availability), and define policies for their use.
 
14. Monitor performance and ensure networks are configured correctly and perform as expected by designers or architects. Undertake capacity management and audit of IP addressing and hosted devices.
 
15. Investigate, troubleshoot and resolve data network faults in local and wide area environments, using information from multiple sources, Physically or Remotely by console connection. Recommend and implement short term fixes to restore service and, or, quality of experience and recommend longer term changes to prevent recurrence or reduce impact of future occurrences.
 

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge:

16. Has a strong work ethic and commitment in order to meet the standards required.
 
17. Reliable, objective and capable of both independent and team working.
 
18. Acts with integrity with respect to ethical, legal and regulatory requirements ensuring the protection of personal data, safety and security.
 
19. Commits to continuous professional development; maintaining their knowledge and skills in relation to developments in digital and technology solutions that influence their work.
 
20. Interacts professionally with people from technical and non-technical backgrounds. Presents data and conclusions in an evidently truthful, concise and appropriate manner.
 
21. Participates in and shares best practice in their organisation, and the wider community for aspects relevant to digital and technology solutions.
 
22. Maintains awareness of trends and innovations in the subject area, utilising a range of academic literature, online sources, community interaction, conference attendance and other methods which can deliver business value.
 
23. Champions diversity and inclusion in their work ensuring that digital technology solutions are accessible.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
Computer networks and the Internet (3 weeks)
 
• Building blocks; routers, switches, hubs, storage, transmission, etc.
 
• Common architectures (e.g. server/client, hub/spoke)
 
• Data formats and protocol, and how they relate to each other
 
• Routing and Internet network protocols
 
           o Purpose and relationship
 
           o Physical and data link layer  (https, HTTP, SMTP, SNMP, TCP, IP, etc.)
 
           o Static vs dynamic routing protocols; pros and cons in different circumstances
 
 
Network planning (2 weeks)
 
• Identifying the key characteristics of a new network service
 
• Factors affecting network performance; relationship between bandwidth, number of users, nature of traffic, contention, etc.
 
 
Designing and constructing simple networks (5 weeks)
 
• Planning, designing, building and testing a simple network to a requirement specification
 
           o Using hubs, switches, routers and wireless user devices
 
           o Applying appropriate security products and processes
 
• Installing and configuring network components including switches, routers and firewalls
 
 
Managing networks (2 weeks)
 
• Issues in day to day operation of networks; troubleshooting and resolution
 
• Identifying and evaluating network security risks
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 22 Guided Independent Study 128 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 18 Online learning activity, including virtual workshops, synchronous and asynchronous virtual lectures and other e-learning.
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 2 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 2 Group workshops
Guided independent study 128 Coursework, exam preparation and self-study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Contribution to class discussion N/A 1-23 Verbal

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 60 Written Exams 40 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Network design exercise 60 3,000 words 1-15 Written
Written exam 40 2 hours 1-15 Written

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Network design exercise (60%) Network design exercise 1-15 Completed over summer with a deadline in August
Written exam (40%) Written exam (2 hours 1-15 Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be deferred in the assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you may be required to sit a referral. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE: https://ele.exeter.ac.uk

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Kurose and Ross Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet 6th Addison Wesley 2013 000-0-321-26976-4
Set Tanenbaum, A. Computer Networks 5th Prentice Hall 2010 000-0-130-38488-7
Set Fitzgerald, J., Dennis, A., Durcikova, A. Business Data Communications and Networking 11th Wiley 2014 978-1-118-89168-1
Set Goldman, J. E., Rawles, P. T. Applied Data Communications: A Business-Oriented Approach 4th Wiley 2004 978-0-471-34640-1
CREDIT VALUE 30 ECTS VALUE 15
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 14th March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 14th March 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH Network, Engineering

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.