This module builds on your knowledge in IP based networks in order to advance knowledge in the scalable, secure and reliable transfer of Layer 3 information within a commercial network. There are a number of protocols addressing design techniques and you will have practical experience of using these in addition to understanding the benefits and consequences of each. The course will look at the Interior Protocols used within a company and the Exterior protocols used to communicate between autonomous systems.

You’ll improve up your ability to choose, implement and optimise VLSM, IP Multicasting and private addressing. Infrastructure services and security will also be investigated.

The majority of the course content is related to the implementation of EIGRP, OSPF, and BGP routing protocols. In addition, the course details the important techniques used for route filtering and route redistribution and path control.

Upon completion of this module, you will have performed tasks related to:

- Internet work scalability

- Advanced IP addressing techniques

- Routing protocol operation, configuration, optimisation and troubleshooting, EIGRP, OSPF, BGP

- Infrastructure security and services

This module will support the development and assessment of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours from the DTSS Apprenticeship Standard:

Network Engineer

Knowledge

NEK1 How IT networks impact the organisation, business objectives and processes and the application of different approaches to network organisation and management;

NEK2 The principles of secure network design, architecture, implementation and assurance, including how to develop and analyse network protocols by using networking simulation;

NEK3 How to build and maintain secure networks, including the types of countermeasures that can be put in place to identify, reduce or prevent problems caused by network attacks or misuse;

NEK4 How to implement quality of services (QoS) of communication networks in terms of throughput, reliability and delay, and the importance of ensuring that performance, security, availability and continuity standards meet required service levels and business needs;

NEK5 Current industry standard network architectures and their individual protocol layers, including the algorithms employed, the OSI (Open Standard Interconnection) model, systematic troubleshooting approaches and how to apply them;

NEK6 Network industry trends and technical opportunities, assessing their viability for use within different business scenarios.

Skills

NES1 Take responsibility for design, build and deployment activities to deliver appropriate secure network infrastructure solutions to meet customer requirements at an enterprise level and within budget, including enhancements and network configuration updates;

NES2 Formulate detailed network and storage specifications for stable and secure computing operations in a dynamic environment identifying new networking services and capabilities;

NES3 Manage the operation, maintenance and support of secure network environments, including diagnosing and troubleshooting wireless, security, switching, phone and other network-related issues for network related incidents;

NES4 Select and apply network monitoring tools to aid planning network upgrades before they become critical. Make recommendations for improvements to security, scalability, manageability, and performance across a network, storage, and related technologies;

NES6 Ensure network infrastructure solutions chosen fit within the overall enterprise infrastructure architecture, security architecture and security standards.

Coursework weighted at 50%. The coursework will involve the design of a practical artefact for a given scenario (Learning Outcomes 2 and 3).

A written online examination, length 2 hours, weighted at 50% (Learning outcomes 1 and 4).

Assessing the following KSBs from the DTSS apprenticeship standard

Network Engineer

Knowledge

NEK1 How IT networks impact the organisation, business objectives and processes and the application of different approaches to network organisation and management;

NEK2 The principles of secure network design, architecture, implementation and assurance, including how to develop and analyse network protocols by using networking simulation;

NEK3 How to build and maintain secure networks, including the types of countermeasures that can be put in place to identify, reduce or prevent problems caused by network attacks or misuse;

NEK4 How to implement quality of services (QoS) of communication networks in terms of throughput, reliability and delay, and the importance of ensuring that performance, security, availability and continuity standards meet required service levels and business needs;

NEK5 Current industry standard network architectures and their individual protocol layers, including the algorithms employed, the OSI (Open Standard Interconnection) model, systematic troubleshooting approaches and how to apply them;

Skills

NES1 Take responsibility for design, build and deployment activities to deliver appropriate secure network infrastructure solutions to meet customer requirements at an enterprise level and within budget, including enhancements and network configuration updates;

Critically assess and evaluate the mechanisms and architectural principles of network communications systems, discussing the limits and ranges.

Demonstrate systematic understanding of the main functions of the OSI network layer: data link, network access and routing applying the understanding to a practical problem

Demonstrate understanding & critically assess different routing algorithms, applying the results to solve a given scenario to applicable standards within a secure infrastructure.

Critically evaluate the requirements for the physical core of a computer network: deployment of routers, discussing the issues involved drawing appropriate conclusion

All teaching sessions will blend theory and practical learning. You will be introduced to curriculum concepts and ideas and will then be able to apply theory to practical examples.

You will be provided with a range of resources for independent study such as case studies, academic papers and industry stories. There will be a mixture of practical and theoretical formative (mock or practice) exercises which will help build your knowledge and confidence in preparation for summative (formal) assessment.

The module will be delivered through a Blended learning Approach, with a Module Launch, Guided Learning, Independent Learning and Individual Reviews:

Module Launch – 9 hours

There will be a module launch with 9 hours face to face contact which will provide details of the modules purpose, content and approach.

Guided Learning – 16 hours

There are a number of approached that may be used:

Weekly delivery - whilst there will be materials online there will be a series of webinars which will be content driven, these will either be 1 hour weekly or 2 hours on alternate weeks

Block delivery – a series of extended face to face sessions eg 4 x 4 hours

Independent Learning – 173 hours

You will be required to complete activities in support of developing your learning and your assessment solutions, as an apprentice some of these hours are drawn from the experience and the development of knowledge and skills in the workplace.

Individual Reviews – 2 hours

You will have 2 hours of tutorials sessions with your module tutor during the course of the module. In the main these will be individual but may be small group sessions during which your module tutor will be able to answer any queries that you have regarding module work.

Specialist networking laboratory with CISCO equipment and equivalent simulation tools

- Library

- Windows/Linux workstations

- Internet access

CISCO Academy

- CISCO Networking Academy programme assessment server

- Laboratory exercise sheets provided by course instructor.

All texts and electronic resources will be updated and refreshed on an annual basis and available for students via the online Study Links resource platform. All reference materials will be collated and curated and aligned to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion indicators.

Edgeworth, Hucay, Goolet, Rios, (2019), “CCNP and CCIE Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401 Official Cert”, ISBN-13 978-1587145230

Lacoste, Edgeworth, (2020),CCNP Enterprise Advanced Routing ENARSI 300-410 Official Cert Guide, ISBN 978-1587145254

A range of electronic resources produced by CISCO and other organisations

Routing is considered core in the field of networking. Once the network is optimally designed, other technologies and security can be added. This module embeds aspects of the CCNP curriculum with practical and research-based skills to allow you to look in detail at the choices within routing to see why design decisions are made and for you to understand these choices.

This course will work towards the industry certification CISCO ENARSI 300-410 Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services