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CM30078: Networking

[Page last updated: 23 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Computer Science
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: Students should be able to:
1. Explain the acronyms and concepts of the Internet and how they relate;
2. State and apply the steps required to connect a domain to the Internet and explain the issues involved to both technical and nontechnical audiences;
3. Discuss the ethical issues involved with the internet, and have an "intelligent layman's" grasp of the legal issues and uncertainties.
4. Be aware of the fundamental security issues;
5. Be able to advise on the configuration issues surrounding a firewall.


Aims: To understand the Internet, and associated background and theory, to a level sufficient for a competent domain manager.

Skills: IT - Networking, Legal Awareness (T, A).

Content: The ISO 7-layer model. The Internet: its history and evolution - Predictions for the future.
The TCP/IP stack: IP, ICMP, TCP, UDP, DNS, XDR, NFS and SMTP. Berkeley. Introduction to packet layout: source routing etc.
Various link levels: SLIP, 802.5 and Ethernet, satellites, the "fat pipe", ATM. Performance issues: bandwidth, MSS and RTT; caching at various layers.
Who 'owns' the Internet and who 'manages' it: RFCs, service Providers, domain managers, IANA, UKERNA, MANs, commercial British activities. Routing protocols and default routers. HTML and Electronic publishing.
Legal and ethical issues: slander/libel, copyright, pornography, Publishing versus carrying. Security and firewalls.

Course availability:

CM30078 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Computer Science
  • USCM-AFB06 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science (Year 3)
  • USCM-AAB07 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USCM-AKB07 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USCM-AFB27 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (Year 3)
  • USCM-AAB27 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USCM-AKB27 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USCM-AFB20 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science and Mathematics (Year 3)
  • USCM-AAB20 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science and Mathematics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USCM-AKB20 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science and Mathematics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USCM-AFM01 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science (Year 3)
  • USCM-AAM02 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science with Study year abroad (Year 3)
  • USCM-AKM02 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science with Year long work placement (Year 3)
  • USCM-AFM27 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (Year 3)
  • USCM-AAM27 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with Study year abroad (Year 3)
  • USCM-AKM27 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with Year long work placement (Year 3)
  • USCM-AFM14 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science and Mathematics (Year 3)
  • USCM-AAM14 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science and Mathematics with Study year abroad (Year 3)
  • USCM-AKM14 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science and Mathematics with Year long work placement (Year 3)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.