Advanced Networks
Overview
This unit of study aims to introduce you to the field of data networking and to provide you with the necessary skills to design and successfully deploy a small network.
Requisites
29-May-2026
25-September-2026
29-January-2027
Unit learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Use the OSI Model to discuss network design and infrastructure (K3, S3)
- Design an addressing scheme to subnet a network to given specifications (K2, K3, S3)
- Describe the processes of LAN switching and how VLANs are used in a switched network (K3)
- Use best practice to design secure corporate networks and deploy security to practical networking environments (K3, S1, S3)
- Describe how the Spanning Tree Protocol eliminates loops in multi-switched LANs (K3)
- Construct a simple network of PCs, switches and a router, and troubleshoot problems in those networks (K3, S1, S2, S3)
- Generate documentation for laboratory work and assignments (A2)
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online (Online lectures) |
2 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| On-campus (Computer Lab) |
1 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| On-campus (Practical work) |
3 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Unspecified Activities (Independent Learning) |
6.5 | 12 weeks | 78 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Individual/Group | 30% | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
| Test | Individual | 20% | 2,3,4,6 |
| Test | Individual | 50% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
- An aggregate mark of 50% or more, and
- Obtain at least 40% in the class test, and
- Pass the Skills Exam.
The criteria for passing the Skills Exam is available in the Unit Outline. Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirements (2) and (3) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
- Networking Fundamentals
- OSI Network Layers
- Ethernet fundamentals, technologies and switching
- TCP/IP and addressing
- Subnets and subnetting (VLSM and CIDR)
- Switching concepts
- Virtual LANs
- Inter-VLAN Static routing
- Network and Secure Network Design
- Etherchannel Bundling
- Spanning Tree Protocol
- Wireless LANs
- Basic switch troubleshooting
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.