This module will focus on the following aspects which are fundamental / core concepts for an enterprise grade network:

OSI reference model, TCP/IP suite and their relationships
TCP/UDP communications and relevant protocols
IP addressing and design
IP addressing services e.g. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
Local Area Networks (LAN), switching technology and configuration
Ethernet Technology
Wireless LAN (WLAN) technology i.e. IEEE 802.11 standards
Wide Area Network (WAN), routing technology and configuration
Routing protocols
Access Control Lists (ACL)
Network design and documentation
Network Management and Troubleshooting

The module will also address cloud networking through:

General networking and fundamentals
Security and issues that can occur when designing and implementing new networks
Databases and connectivity
Loosely Coupled and Stateless systems
Security of data and systems
Elastic Computing principles
Storage options and their evaluation
Monitoring Techniques of different technologies and their context of usage
Automation techniques for infrastructure

The module will be assessed by a realistic case study in which student’s will investigate networking uses and make several suggestions to enhance the given infrastructure. Students will look at the technologies introduced within the module through both a theoretical and practical perspective in order to solve the given case study. (Learning Outcomes 1 to 6)

The module will utilise both lectures and practical sessions to deliver subject content. Physical time will be split between the College, the university, and on-line sessions with a company.

1. Show knowledge and understanding of fundamental networking concepts (e.g. protocol suites such as the OSI reference model, TCP/IP, and IP addressing etc.) and be able to describe their roles in network communications.

Knowledge and Understanding, Learning.

2. Configure industry standard network devices together to form efficient solutions to networking projects (e.g. switches, and routers etc.).
Learning, Enquiry, Reflection.

3. Design and implement small scale networks utilising switches, routers and wireless technologies. Application, Reflection.

4. Identify problems and troubleshoot network errors from typical computing implementations.
Enquiry, Analysis, Problem Solving.

5. Research and evaluate issues which affect cloud adoption within an organisation. Knowledge and Understanding, Enquiry.

6. Implement and evaluate a cloud-based infrastructure for a given scenario which will aid an SME to improve its business performance.
Application.

Students will need access to the following:
Cisco Packet Tracer (PT) simulation software
Cisco network devices e.g. switches, routers, access points etc. available in Cisco labs
Blackboard Environment
AWS learning environment

Empson, S. (2016), CCNA Routing and Switching Portable Command Guide (ICND1 100-105, ICND2 200-105, and CCNA 200-125), Cisco Press, 4th Edt. ISBN-10: 1587205882, ISBN-13: 978-1587205880
Kiser, Q. (2020), Computer Networking: An All-in-One Beginner's Guide to Understanding Communications Systems, Network Security, Internet Connections, Cybersecurity and Hacking, ISBN-13:979-8657153880
McMillan, T. (2015), Cisco Networking Essentials, Sybex,
Bhowmik, S. (2017), Cloud Computing, Cambridge University Press, ISBN-10: 1316638103
McMillan, T. (2018) CCNA Security Study Guide: Exam 210-260, Sybex; 2nd ed. edition, ISBN-13: 978-1119409939, ISBN-10: 1119409934
Santos, O. (2015), CCNA Security 210-260 Official Cert Guide, Omar Santos, CISCO Press; Har/Cdr edition, ISBN-13: 978-1587205668, ISBN-10: 1587205661
Andrews, J. and Hall, J. (2020), VMware Certified Professional Data Center Virtualization on vSphere 6.7 Study Guide: Exam, Sybex, ISBN 1119214696
Wilkins, A. (2021), AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, Pearson, ISBN 0137325215
Bagha, M. (2021), Cloud Computing Solutions Architect: A Hands-On Approach, VTP, ISBN 194997801X
Piper, B, (2019), AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Sybex, ISBN:1119490707
Ruparelia, R, (2016), Cloud Computing, The MIT Press; Illustrated edition, ISBN: 9780262529099
Erickson, K. (2019) AWS: AWS: 2019 Complete Guide for Beginner's. Amazon Web Services Tutorial, Independently Published, ISBN: 1686808062
Waida, Udell, Chan, Udita, (2019), Implementing AWS: Design, Build, and Manage your Infrastructure: Leverage AWS features to build highly secure, fault-tolerant, and scalable cloud environments, Packt Publishing, ISBN:1788835778
Baron, Baz, Bixler, Gaut, Kelly, Senior, Stamper, (2016), AWS Certified Solutions Architect Official Study Guide: Associate Exam, Sybex, ISBN 1119138558

Additional Resources
Cisco CCNA Enterprise Networking, Security and Automation from Cisco Network Academy
An Introduction to ISO 27001…. ISO 27008 (2019) https://www.27000.org
AWS Academy resources
Cloud White Papers which will be provided

In studying this module, you will learn about the fundamental concepts of networks that include OSI/TCP suite, TCP and UDP communications, IP addressing, Ethernet, wireless networks, switching, routing, network design, documentation, and management and troubleshooting. You will also learn about Cloud computing an area of increasing importance within the enterprise environment. You will investigate the usage of cloud computing by using Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a base for practical work and look at the usage case of the different aspects of this technology and understand the impact of decisions which are made. You will develop an artefact using a traditional approach of cloud computing and compare this against a managed service. The developments within Cloud computing have allowed for changes and companies are now adapting to these new models of usage. Upon successful completion of the assessment, you should have become a skilled developer who is able to design a network efficiently, and can configure network devices e.g. switches, routers etc., to address, manage, and troubleshoot issues that arise.