NETWORK SYSTEMS 3
Learner Guide
2016
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT: ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
Qualification: Computer Systems
(Qualification Code: NDCSY2)
SUBJECT : NETWORK SYSTEMS 3
Name of Lecturer : Mr. R Sewsunker
Contact details:
Office : S8 306
Telephone : (031) 373 6741 / 079 888 5643 Fax No : (031) 373 2744
E-Mail : [email protected] / [email protected] Consultation with Lecturer : Please email to set an appointment.
Head of Department : Mr. KE Moorgas
Contact details:
Room number : S8 305
Telephone : (031) 373 2932 Fax No : (031) 373 2744 Departmental Secretary : Mrs. P Chetty
Lectures : 2 per week
Practical’s : 2 per week
Tutorials : When required
Lecture Venue : S8 306
Practical Venue : S8 306
Tutorial Venue : S8 306
SUBJECT : NETWORK SYSTEMS III
SUBJECT CODE : NETS 301
PRE-REQUISITES : Digital Communication II, Network Systems II
DURATION : The course extends over one semester (90 hours) or 14 weeks.
CONTACT TIME : The subject is presented each week in two parts:
(i) 2 theory lectures and
(ii) 2 laboratory periods and / or tutorial periods
TEXT BOOKS Prescribed:
Fred Halsall, Computer Networking and the Internet, 5th Edition, Addison Wesley, 2005
Recommended:
Data and Computer Communications, 8th ed., William Stallings, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007
Computer Networks, 4th ed., Andrew Tanenbaum, Prentice Hall, 2003
Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, 3rd ed., L Peterson & B S Davie, Morgan Kaufmann,
2003
Networking, 2nd ed., Jeffrey Beasley, Prentice Hall, 2009
METHOD OF ASSESMENT:
The FINAL MARK of this subject is arrived at by the combination of the following:
(i) 60 % (Theory) 15 % Class Test 1
15 % Class Test 2 15 % Class Test 3 15 % Class Test 4
30% (Practical) 15 % Practical Test 1
15 % Practical Test 2
10% (Assignment) 10 % Assignment
(ii) Make-up Test (covers entire syllabus)
For students who achieve 45 to 49% determined from the
weighting outlined above provided a minimum of 40% is achieved for both practical tests.
NOTE: (i) A pass will be a final combined total mark of 50 % or more.
(ii) A total mark of less than the minimum of 50 % will result in a “fail”.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this subject is to build on the subject matter covered in:
Digital Communications II - which covered the Physical and Data Link Layers.
Network Systems II - which covered the Network Layer. This subject will take the learner further, covering the final layers, Transport and Application Layers. Basic principles will be emphasised and topics of fundamental importance concerning the technology and architecture of these layers for data and computer communications will be covered. The subject explores the key topics in the field of data and computer communications in the following general categories:
Transport Layer : Address/Name resolution, Addressing methods, Segment development, Connection services, and End-to-end flow control.
Application Layer : Dialog control, Session administration, Translation and Encryption, Service advertisement and Service use Methods.
In general, a building-block approach will be taken. The principles of data communications will be carefully and thoroughly explored. These principles will then be applied to the complex systems found in communication networks and computer-communications architectures.
PRACTICAL WORK:
The course practical work is based on the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) concept and uses the Cisco Packet Tracer software. As a learning procedure, to relate theory and practical usages of connectivity, configuration of Router (Rip, Access-List (Standard Access List, Extended Access List)), Server Configuration is given importance.
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT AND LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Continuous assessment means that your effort and level of competence is continually being assessed. Formative assessments are on-going in all lectures, practical and tutorial classes by means of verbal and written questions, class exercises and tutorial problems. These
assessments are meant to guide you in self-assessing your knowledge and competence. The
tests are both formative and summative assessments.
Use the table below to guide you in understanding what the assessment criteria are and their relative weighting for this subject.
LEARNING OUTCOME ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ASSESSMENT METHODS
Comprehension (30%) Correct understanding of
Written/verbal technical text. Correct understanding of Technical diagrams.
Test, tutorial and practical questions.
Application (30%) Best practice construction of
software scripts.
Best practice written
reporting.
Best practice construction of technical diagrams.
Practical exercises. Practical report writing.
Analysis (20%) Best practice method and
correct result of calculation or determination of technical details of techniques, circuits,
Systems and scripting
software.
Test, tutorial and practical questions.
Synthesis (20%) Best practice method of
problem solving.
Best practice documentation of objectives, method and results.
Tests and practical
exercises.
Practical report writing.
Comprehension and analysis are the major components of the expected learning outcomes. Comprehension involves understanding and integration of information. That is, can you see how the pieces of information fit together? Can you translate the information into different contexts? Analysis requires comprehension as a pre-requisite. Analysis is very important in technical fields. Successful analysis requires careful attention to detail which means checking your facts and working.
At level 3 you are also expected to be able to apply your knowledge of the subject material by following methodical analysis and synthesis using relevant theory to arrive at a suitable solution to a complex problem. Best practice documentation of objectives, method and results is critically important.
