Fast and efficient network communication is of great importance in today’s world. Within this module you will look at a variety of switching technologies that have the potential to support modern network communication and explore their practical application in a simulation environment. As part of this module, you will look at the following range of topics including (but not exhaustive):



Enterprise Network Architecture

Fabric Technologies

Virtual Hardware

Trunk Links

Spanning Tree Protocols

Inter-VLAN

Ether-channel

Multilayer Switching

Redundancy

Multi-Protocol Layer Switching (MPLS)

QoS

Security

Voice over Switches

Wireless LANs

Case Study Scenario - The students will be asked to demonstrate an understanding of technology solutions through the creation of an end solution to a simulated set of company problems (Learning Outcomes 2 to 4).

Research paper - The students will look at a particular technology to increase their understanding and documenting this through a written research paper (Learning Outcome 1).

We will provide lecture material which will be available to you from the first day which you start on the module. This material will be provided by Staffordshire University in addition to material which is provided by the Cisco Academy. Each week we will have time allocated where we can discuss technologies. As part of this module, you will be given access to the simulation environment Packet Tracer that will allow you to implement network scenarios and experiment with different setups and configurations to give you a more practical aspect view of networking.

1. Assess critically the mechanisms and architectural principles of network communications systems at the forefront of professional practice discussing the limits and ranges.

Knowledge and Understanding,
Analysis



2. Demonstrate critical understanding of the main functions of the OSI data-link layer: switching, virtualisation and redundant paths.

Analysis,
Problem Solving,
Knowledge and Understanding



3. Demonstrate systematic understanding and an ability to critically assess different layer 2 technologies, including support for voice traffic, infrastructure components and secure traffic.

Analysis,
Communication



4. Evaluate critically the requirements for the physical core of a computer network and the deployment of Layer 2 devices and technologies such as switches, Wireless LANS, VLANs, etc.

Analysis,
Communication

Bruno, Jordan (2020) CCNP Enterprise Design ENSLD 300-420 Official Cert Guide: Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks, Cisco Press, ISBN 0-13-657519-6

Edgeworth, Wallace, Gooley, Hucaby and Garza-Rios (2019), CCNP and CCIE Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401, Cisco Press, ISBN: 1587145235
Hucaby, (2015) CCNP Routing and Switching SWITCH 300-115 Official Cert Guide, ISBN 1587205602
Zhang and Bartell, (2016), BGP Design and Implementation, Cisco Press, ISBN 1587144700

The students will have access to materials provided by the University through the Blackboard system. In addition, due to Staffordshire University being a member of the Cisco Networking Academy Program they will also have access to the simulation environment Packet Tracer.

In today’s world many aspects of life are increasingly involving efficient and fast network communication. In order to achieve this, it is crucial to ensure an optimal core architecture design using the right technologies. Within this module you will look at a variety of switching-based concepts that have the potential to support modern network communication and explore their practical application in a simulation environment for a full understanding of their features and capabilities. The content covered by this module will partially provide the knowledge base of the Cisco CCNP and CCIE Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401 industry certification.