This module will look at network communications within applications. This will be used to give the students an understanding of network applications and their usage. The technologies which will be looked at are TCP/UDP protocols with discussion of other network level protocols. Investigating the use of ports and sockets within the context of Unicast, Multicast and Broadcast communications allowing the student to understand and demonstrate the practical usage scenarios of these. The context of the course will be given within the field of Grid based network communications for distributed computation and storage.

Practical assignment weighted at 50% - Assessing learning outcomes 1 and 2.
The assignment will be the implementation of a software artefact to demonstrate network communication within a small network grid which will be an individual assignment.

Exam length 2 hours weighted at 50% - Assessing learning outcomes 3 and 4.

2 Lectures a week, 1 Tutorial a week, In addition the student will be expected to carry out self-directed study of the issues which have been discussed in the lecture and practical work
(1:n)2 (1:20)

Grid Computing, Jospeh & Fellenstein, IBM Press, 2004, ISBN: 0131456601
Distributed Systems: Concepts and Design, Dollimore, Kindberg, Coulouris, Addison-Wesley, 2005, ISBN: 0201619180

FCET Labs with networked computers with a full installation of Microsoft Visual Studio

Basic understanding of programming concepts as given in the modules CE00371-1 Introduction to Software Development or CE00312-1 Introduction to C Programming. Prior study which has the equivalent level of programming knowledge as these modules will also be acceptable.