FIT9020 Data communications - Semester 2, 2010

Prerequisites

FIT9018

Prohibitions

CSE9801, BUS3150, CSE2318, CSE3318, FIT1005

Teaching approach

Lectures will provide students with theory and demonstrations of the discussed concepts.

Tutorials  will be used to study the practical aspects of the material presented in lectures.

Timetable information

For information on timetabling for on-campus classes please refer to MUTTS, http://mutts.monash.edu.au/MUTTS/

Tutorial allocation

On-campus students should register for tutorials/laboratories using the Allocate+ system: http://allocate.its.monash.edu.au/

Unit Schedule

Week	Date*	Topic	Study guide	Key dates
1	19/07/10	Introduction to data communications	LN1
2	26/07/10	Application Layer	LN2
3	02/08/10	Physical layer	LN3
4	09/08/10	Data Link Layer	LN4
5	16/08/10	Network and Transport Layers - part 1	LN5
6	23/08/10	Network and Transport Layers - part 2	LN6	Assignment 1 due
7	30/08/10	Local area network	LN7
8	06/09/10	Wireless Local Area Networks	LN8
9	13/09/10	Metropolitan and wide area networks	LN9
10	20/09/10	Backbones networks	LN10
Mid semester break
11	04/10/10	The Internet	LN11	Assignment 2 due
12	11/10/10	Network design	LN12
13	18/10/10	Revision	Revision

*Please note that these dates may only apply to Australian campuses of Monash University. Off-shore students need to check the dates with their unit leader.

Prescribed text(s) and readings

Jerry FitzGerald and  Alan Dennis, Business Data Communications and Networking, 10th Edition, Willey, 2009.

Recommended text(s) and readings

W. Stallings, Data and Computer Communications, 8th ed., Pearson, 2008.

Required software and/or hardware

Wireshark. Packet Analysis Software

Equipment and consumables required or provided

Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access.On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs.Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook.You will need to allocate up to 8 hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

• Weekly detailed lecture notes outlining the learning objectives, discussion of the content, required readings and  exercises;
• Weekly tutorial/laboratory tasks and exercises with sample solutions provided one to two weeks later;
• Sample class tests and suggested solutions;
• Discussion groups;
• This Unit Guide outlining the administrative information for the unit;
• The unit web site on Moodle, where resources outlined above will be made available.

Overview

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Faculty assessment policy

To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:

• 40% or more in the unit's examination, and
• 40% or more in the unit's total non-examination assessment, and
• an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit.

To pass this unit a student must obtain an overall unit mark of 50% or more

Assignment tasks

Assignment coversheets

Assignment coversheets are available via "Student Forms" on the Faculty website: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/
You MUST submit a completed coversheet with all assignments, ensuring that the plagiarism declaration section is signed.

Assignment submission and return procedures, and assessment criteria will be specified with each assignment.

Assignment submission and preparation requirements will be detailed in each assignment specification. Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced. You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.

• Assignment task 1

  Title:

  Assignment1

  Description:

  Assignment 1 will include the material covered in weeks 1-5. In particular questions will be related to: components of networks, type of networks, internet models, message transmission using layers, application layer architectures, physical and data link layers.

  Weighting:

  20%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The criteria used to assess submissions are:

  •  Correctness and understanding - there may be more than one "right" answer in many cases.
  • Completeness - that you have answered all parts of each question.
  • Presentation - that you have presented your answers using the appropriate method. 
  • Use of evidence and argument - you are able to explain your position by using logical argument.

  Due date:

  Week 6

• Assignment task 2

  Title:

  Assignment 2

  Description:

  Assignment 2 will include the material covered in weeks 6-10. In particular, the questions will be related to network and transport layers, structures and functions of local area, backbone and wide area networks.

  Weighting:

  20%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The criteria used to assess submissions are:

  • Correctness and understanding - there may be more than one "right" answer in many cases.
  • Completeness - that you have answered all parts of each question.
  • Presentation - that you have presented your answers using the appropriate method. 
  • Use of evidence and argument - you are able to explain your position by using logical argument.

  Due date:

  Week 11

Examination

• Weighting:

  60%

  Length:

  3 hours

  Type (open/closed book):

  Closed book

  Electronic devices allowed in the exam:

  None

Due dates and extensions

Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are not regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Students requesting an extension for any assessment during semester (eg. Assignments, tests or presentations) are required to submit a Special Consideration application form (in-semester exam/assessment task), along with original copies of supporting documentation, directly to their lecturer within two working days before the assessment submission deadline. Lecturers will provide specific outcomes directly to students via email within 2 working days. The lecturer reserves the right to refuse late applications.

A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

Refer to the Faculty Special consideration webpage or further details and to access application forms: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html

Late assignment

Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of  5% per day. Assignments received later than one week after the due date will not normally be accepted.

Return dates

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

Feedback

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:

Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes

Graded assignments with comments

Solutions to tutes, labs and assignments