The routing aspect of this course will look at the scalable, secure and reliable transfer of Layer 3 information within a commercial network. There are a number of protocols and design techniques that the student will have practical experience of using, in addition to understanding the benefits and consequences of each of these. The course will look at the Interior Protocols used within a company and the Exterior protocols used to communicate between autonomous systems. Additionally, and increasingly important is the use of switching technology, which is layer 3 aware, we will also be looking at this to see why this is widely used in modern network designs. The course will also look at the design of networks through hierarchical considerations and redundancy to ensure the continued operation in the event of a technical failure and solving these issues.

EXAMINATION: This will be an assessment carried out in examination conditions which will be looking at and evaluating the theoretical content of this module (Learning Outcomes 1, 3 and 4)



PRACTICAL: Implementation of a solution for a given networking scenario with configuration files and supporting explanation/details on the solution (Learning Outcomes 2, 3 and 4)



PRESENTATION: The presentation will showcase the created networking solution (Learning Outcomes 2, 3 and 4)

There will be lectures each week which will be guided by the lecturing team. Within these sessions the students will study various networking topics and then evaluate the usage of that technology within a commercial scenario. In the practical sessions you will get hands-on experience of the principles and under-pinning knowledge taught in the lectures. Formative, self-directed exercises to support transfer of knowledge and understanding will be undertaken weekly. Self-directed learning using on-line material will also be used to help develop your research and analytical skills.

1. Critically assess the mechanisms and architectural principles of network communications systems

Analysis; Knowledge & Understanding


2. Demonstrate technical understanding of the main functions of the OSI Data-Link layer: Switching and redundant paths. In addition, understand the function of the network layer: IGP & EGP routing protocols, load balancing, redundant architecture and scalable address schemes

Analysis; Knowledge & Understanding; Problem Solving


3. Demonstrate critical understanding and ability to critically and practically assess different networking technologies in relation to a given problem and communicate a solution

Analysis; Knowledge & Understanding; Problem Solving; Communication


4.Evaluate critically the requirements for the physical core of a computer network and the deployment of switches, routers, gateways and virtual infrastructure

Analysis; Communication

Lab networking equipment which a student can work upon, or a suitable commercial grade simulation environment

Piper, (2020), CCNP Enterprise Certification Study Guide: Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies, Sybex, ISBN:1119658756



Wallace, Bridgeworth, Hucaby, Rios, (2020), CCNP Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401 and Advanced Routing ENARSI 300-410, Cisco Press, ISBN:1587147114



Ranjbar, (2015), Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks, Cisco Press, ISBN:9781587204555



Lacoste, Edgeworth (2020), CCNP Enterprise Advanced Routing, Cisco press, ISBN:1587145251



An annually updated keylinks online resource bank will be made available

In today's networked world a good understanding of the underlying infrastructure and associated technologies is key to providing communication which has become a normal part of life. Within 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 layer 3 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. As an essential requirement we will have the practical sessions where issues of configuration and troubleshooting can be considered. The emphasis of this course will be from the viewpoint of a medium to large scale organisation.