This module will address topics of:

Routing and switching aspects and approaches
Scalable, secure and reliable transfer of Layer 3 information
Commercial networks
An array of protocols and design techniques
Understanding of the benefits and consequences of different approaches
Aspects of economics and sustainability
Interior Protocols used within a company
Exterior protocols used to communicate between autonomous systems
Use of switching technology which is layer 3 aware
Networks design and subsequent evaluation
Hierarchical considerations and redundancy
Technical failure approaches in the commercial sector

BCS / TechSkills / Employability elements:

System modelling concepts are applied in relation to design and implementation of network architecture.
Commercial and business issues are addressed as to mapping technical networking architecture in balance to system needs and requirements.
Security protocols are address as an inherent part of networking architecture.
Problem solving and evaluation is extensively applied throughout the construction of artefact solutions.
Sustainability aspects of network architecture are designed and evaluated.

TEST - Written Class Test – To test architecture understanding, different aspects of networking configuration and set up, and VLAN technologies.

PRACTICAL - Practical Assessment – The practical assessment will be scenario-based testing design, set up and testing of networking tasks and configurations to specified business requirements.

The lectures given will cover the theoretical content of the course giving you the information required to build sound knowledge to explore later practically. Tutorial sessions will be carried out in the networking labs. The tutorial sessions will be used to allow you to experiment on equipment and to supplement their understanding through additional practical examples of using a particular technology.

1. Assess the mechanisms and architectural principles of network communications systems.

Knowledge and Understanding
Digital Literacy

2. Demonstrate and apply practically, using entrepreneurial creativity the main functions of the networking OSI data-link layers to multiple business scenarios.

Research Skills
Personal Development and Entrepreneurship

3. Explain LAN technology requirements applied to different implementation scale business scenarios.

Application and Problem Solving
Communication

4. Evaluate systematically the requirements for the physical core of a computer network and the deployment of switches, routers, gateways and VLANs.

Critical Reasoning and Collaboration
Reflection

Specialist networking lab

Access to the networking rack room

Kairo, Z. (2025), Computer Networking Mastery: The Complete Networking Playbook: 2025 Professional Guide to TCP/IP, Cloud Infrastructure (AWS & Azure), Security & Troubleshooting with Real World Case Studies, Independently Published

Quiunna, G. (2023), The Complete Computer Networking Guide for Beginners: Master the Art of Computer Networks: From Basic Concepts to Advanced Protocols, Independently Published

Hucanby, (2015) CCNP Routing and Switching SWITCH 300-115 Official Cert Guide

Zhang and Bartell, (2016), BGP Design and Implementation

Jaskolski, M. (2025), CompTIA A+, Network+, IT Fundamentals (ITF+), Security+, CySA+, Cloud+ & Linux+ Certification 2025-2026, Independently Published

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 emphasis of this course will be from the viewpoint of a medium to large scale organisation.