Indicative Content
In this module we will look at the routing and switching topics which most companies will be using at this time. Below is a general list of topics:
Addressing Schemes
Route-optimisation
Internal Routing Protocols – EIGRP, OSPF, Static routes
Border Gateway Protocol
VLANS
Virtual Hardware
Voice Systems
Port-Channels
First-hop redundancy Protocols
Spanning-tree
Multiple Layer switching
Cisco Networking concepts
Cisco Switches, Routers and VOIP phones
Monitoring Software
University Isolated Virtual image
All the concepts which are discussed in the theory section of this module will be practised in the networking labs. The student will each week be setting up commercial grade networks to underpin the theoretical background
Additional Assessment Details
Practical Assessment - This will be a practical based skills test, that tests your application of technical skills within a simulated environment, completed during the university examination period. During this practical based skills test students are required to conduct themselves in a professional manner according to CISCO Academy and local lab regulations (Learning Outcomes 2 and 3).
Written Class test - Completion of a written exam of 1 hour duration under exam conditions in a classroom environment. This exam will be in the format of a multiple-choice section and a short answer section covering advanced routing and switching architectures (Learning Outcomes 1 and 4).
Learning Strategies
The lectures given will cover the theoretical content of the course giving the students the information required to build sound knowledge to explore practically. Tutorial sessions will be carried out in the networking labs. The tutorial sessions will be used to allow the student to experiment on equipment and to supplement their understanding through additional practical examples of using a particular technology.
Learning Outcomes
1. CRITICALLY ASSESS THE MECHANISMS AND ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES OF NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS TO SELECT AND JUSTIFY APPROPRIATE SOLUTIONS
Knowledge and understanding,
Analysis
2. DEMONSTRATE CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE OSI DATA-LINK AND NETWORK LAYERS
Knowledge and Understanding,
Analysis, Problem Solving
3. DEMONSTRATE SYSTEMATIC UNDERSTANDING AND AN ABILITY TO CRITICALLY ASSESS DIFFERENT LAN (LOCAL AREA NETWORK) TECHNOLOGIES, INCLUDING ETHERNET WITH SUPPORT FOR VOICE TRAFFIC AND SECURE TRAFFIC.
Analysis,
Communication
4. CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHYSICAL CORE OF A COMPUTER NETWORK AND THE DEPLOYMENT OF SWITCHES, ROUTERS, GATEWAYS AND VLANS (VIRTUAL LOCAL AREA NETWORK).
Analysis,
Communication
Resources
The university Networking Labs
Cisco Equipment which is provided in our labs
Virtual Machines
Cisco Netacad Environment
Library
Various Online resources which will be provided at the correct point in the module
Texts
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.
Cisco Networking Academy, 2020, Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials Companion Guide, Cisco Press
Piper, 2020, CCNP Enterprise Certification Study Guide: Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies, Sybex
Aweya, 2021, IP Routing Protocols: Two-Volume Set, CRC Press
Valadas, 2021, OSPF and IS-IS: From Link State Routing Principles to Technologies, CRC Press
Parkhurst, Cisco Multicast Routing And Switching, McGraw-Hill Osborne Media
Sluga, (2019), AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty Exam Guide: Build your knowledge and technical expertise as an AWS-certified networking specialist, Packt Publishing
Agahian, (2022), AWS Advanced Networking Exam Guide: ANS-C01, Independently published¿
Dachache, (2021), AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty (ANS-C00) - Complete Preparation: Get Certified with our AWS Certified Advanced Networking (ANS-C00) Practice Tests. Pass the exam with confident !, Independently published
Cisco Netacad resources
Web Descriptor
On this module you will learn why routing and switching are considered as part of the core of networking. Once the network is designed well for these technologies other features such as security can then be built upon this. This course will look in detail at the choices within routing and switching to see why design decisions are made and for you to understand these choices. The switching will look at multi-layer switching which is now increasingly being used inside of networks due to the throughput and additional features which can be offered over the traditional layer 2 technology. The emphasis of this course will be from the viewpoint of a medium to large scale organisation, which will need to make informed decisions in the design choices