1. ASSESS CRITICALLY THE MECHANISMS AND ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES OF NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AT THE FORFRONT OF PROFESSIOANL PRACTICE DISCUSSING THE LIMITS AND RANGES.
Communication
Knowledge & Understanding

2. DEMONSTRATE CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE OSI DATA-LINK LAYER: MEDIUM ACCESS AND SWITCHING.
Application
Problem Solving

3. DEMONSTRATE SYSTEMATIC UNDERSTANDING & CRITICALLY ASSESS DIFFERENT LAN TECHNOLOGIES, INCLUDING ETHERNET WITH SUPPORT FOR VOICE TRAFFIC, APPLYING THE RESULTS TO SOLVE A GIVEN SCENARIO TO ADVANCED PROFFESIONAL STANDARDS.
Application
Communication

4. EVALUATE CRITICALLY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICAL CORE OF A COMPUTER NETWORK: DEPLOYMENT OF SWITCHES AND VLANS. DISSCUSSING THE ISSUES INVOLVED DRAWING APPROPRIATE CONCLUSIONS.
Communication
Knowledge & Understanding

This module will cover topics of:

Key characteristics of various switching technologies, LAN Switching and the hierarchical model of network design, VLANs and network security, VLANS and broadcast distribution, configuring VLANs, VLAN Identification (ISL, IEEE 802.1q)
Spanning tree protocol (STP)
Inter-VLAN routing
Restricting network access, Access policy overview, controlling privilege levels, and policy configuration
Designing and building a campus network with high availability, FHRP and Campus Security.

A PORTFOLIO weighted at 100%. (Learning Outcomes 1 to 4).
This will be a portfolio consisting of a case study 1500 words (50%) Learning Outcomes 1 and 4, and an application of the students understanding in a practical lab based solution (50%) Learning Outcomes 2 and 3.

Hucaby, D., (2014) CCNP Routing and Switching SWITCH 300-115 Official Cert Guide, Cisco Press; Har/Cdr edition, ISBN-13: 978-1587205606, ISBN-10: 1587205602.

Bryant, C., (2015), CCNP SWITCH 300-115 Study Guide (CCNP Success), CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition, ISBN-13: 978-1517351229, ISBN-10: 1517351227

Suggested reading:
Goldman and Rawles, (2000), Local Area Networks, a business-orientated approach, Wiley, 2nd edition, ISBN:0
471 33047 7

Halsall, F. (2005), Computer Networking and the Internet, Addison Wesley, 5th edition, ISBN-321-26358-8


Background reading:

Comer, D. E. (2008) Computer Networks and Internets, Pearson, ISBN: 978-0135045831

Specialist networking laboratory with CISCO equipment
- Library
- Windows/Linux workstations
- Internet access

CISCO Academy
-
- CISCO Networking Academy programme assessment server
- Laboratory exercise sheets provided by course instructor

Prior study of modules containing CCNA content or equivalent

Switching is becoming more dominant in the field especially in the data-centre environment, "Professional Switched Networks" embeds the CISCO Certified Network Professional (CCNP) exam, which is an internationally recognised qualification (300-115) into a module supported by a high practical content. It covers basic concepts as a revision, then focuses on campus network architecture, STP, inter-VLAN routing, High Availability, FHRP and Campus Network Security. This course will enable you to study for the CISCO CCNP CISCO IP Switched Networks academy certification.

13 lectures will be provided and access to equipment via netlab and appropriate simulation software provided.
Investigation using Web
Blackboard VLE will be used to store additional teaching material and study guides.
Students will also be invited to attend on campus sessions.