Module Descriptors
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
COCS50494
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Justin Champion
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 36
Independent Study Hours: 114
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
  • EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 30%
  • COURSEWORK weighted at 70%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
Coursework weighted at 30% (Learning Outcome 1).
Examination, unseen in exam conditions length 2 hours, weighted at 70% (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4).
Module Texts
Main course text:
Communications and Networking: An Introduction, John Cowley, 2007, Springer, ISBN: 1-84628-488-0

Programming language Processors in Java, David Watt and Deryck Brown, Prentice Hall, 2000, ISBN 0-13-025786-9

Background Reading:
Computer Systems, Sebastian Coope, Neil Willis, John Cowley, Publisher: McGraw-Hill, 2002, ISBN: 007709803X

Computer Networks and Internets with Internet Applications, Douglas E Comer and Ralph E Droms, 2004, 4th Ed, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 013123627X

Computer Networks, 4th Edition (International Edition), Andrew Tanenbaum, Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR, ISBN: 0-13-038488-7, 2003
Module Resources
Standard network laboratory facilities.
Java language.
Opnet IT Guru Academic Edition.
Module Learning Strategies
The material will be presented through a combination of lectures, tutorial/practicals and independent self-directed study.
The normal delivery pattern will be (1:n)2 (1:20)1.
However, for other non-traditional delivery such as the Fast-track MEng which will be delivered over the summer, the pattern will be (1:n)4 (1:20)2 for a 6 week period. This is exactly the same number of hours, although the timescale for delivery is reduced.
Module Indicative Content
Transmission media (e.g. copper and fibre optic cabling, wireless transmission)
LAN Topologies (e.g. bus, ring, star), LAN standards (e.g. Ethernet) and layer-2 addresses
Layer 3 issues, routing and addressing (e.g. IP)
Connection-oriented v connectionless layer 4 (e.g. TCP and UDP)
WAN technologies and services (e.g. leased lines, ISDN, Frame Relay)
Application-layer software (e.g. e-mail, FTP, Web browsers and Web servers)
Network security (e.g. anti-virus software, firewalls, encryption, digital signatures, PKI, VPNs, SSL, IPSec)
Network management (e.g. network management categories, SNMP, MIB, RMON)
Multimedia hardware
Language translators (assemblers, interpreters and compilers) - structure and operation.
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Prior study of Hardware, Software Systems and Networks or equivalent.