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¿

Latest Wireless LAN (WLAN) technology and 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 traditional and cloud 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. In completing the assessment students will examine protocol suites and determine the best solutions for given hardware (traditional and cloud based) and network based traffic (some of this learning will involve simulators, whilst other aspects will involve working with physical routers, cabling, and network rack configurations).

Students are required to document their findings in a report (Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 4, and 6) and model practical aspects of the case study as an artifact and demonstrate this in a 15-minute presentation (Learning Outcomes 2, and 5).

The module will utilise both lectures and practical sessions to deliver subject content. On joining the module in the first week there will be an introduction session which will provide students with a schedule of teaching and delivery.

1. Demonstrate 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.

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

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

4. Identify problems and troubleshoot network errors from typical computing implementations.

5. Research and evaluate issues which affect cloud adoption within an organisation.

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

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

IP Specialist, (2021), Google Certified Professional Cloud Network Engineer: Study Guide With Practice Questions & Labs - First Edition, Independently published

Gai, S. (2021), Building a Future-Proof Cloud Infrastructure: A Unified Architecture for Network, Security, and Storage Services, Addison-Wesley Professional; 1st edition

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

Wilkins, A. (2021), AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, Pearson, ISBN 0137325215¿

Erickson, K. (2019) AWS: AWS: 2019 Complete Guide for Beginner's. Amazon Web Services Tutorial, Independently Published, ISBN: 1686808062

IP Specialist, (2021), Google Certified Professional Cloud Network Engineer: Study Guide With Practice Questions & Labs - First Edition, Independently published

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¿

Students will need access to the following:

Standard laptop PC

Cisco Packet Tracer (PT) simulation software¿(Open source)

Cisco network devices e.g. switches, routers, access points etc.¿(available via virtual connection)

Blackboard Environment (available from the University)

AWS learning environment (Open source)

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.