This module addresses topics of:

Core Routing and Switching themes
Industry related standards and principles
Addressing Schemes
Network modelling approaches
Route-optimisation
Internal Routing Protocols EIGRP, OSPF, Static routes
Border Gateway Protocol
Balancing techniques and associated maths content
VLANS
Voice Systems
Spanning-tree
Multiple Layer switching
Diagnosing and correction of routing and switching problems
Applicability of different protocols for fault diagnostics

BCS / TechSkills / Employability elements

Address of network design and configuration
Security considerations for network infrastructure
Practical problem solving and troubleshooting of networks

DEMONSTRATION – You will evaluate a provided converged IP based network and practically implement artefacts and complete other tasks in order to increase performance and improve security elements included. A part of this work will involve troubleshooting set scenarios in teams related to the networking OSI model

CLASS-TEST – A written test of 1-hours duration under exam conditions in a classroom environment. The test will be in the format of a multiple-choice question section and a short answer section covering advanced routing and switching architectures and troubleshooting approaches.

Formative assessment opportunities will be provided throughout the module. In generating your demonstration staff will review progress and also schedule a practice for the final demonstration. Related to the class-test there will be pre-circulated sample questions and group feedback as to potentially good answers. There will also be a mock test so you can gauge your learning.

The lectures given will cover the theoretical content of the course giving you the information required to build sound knowledge to explore topics 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 your understanding through additional practical examples of using a particular technology.

1. Critically assess the mechanisms and architectural principles of network communication systems to select, justify and troubleshoot appropriate solutions working in team and collaborative scenarios.

Knowledge & Understanding
Critical Reasoning and Collaboration

2. Demonstrate critical understanding of the main functions of the OSI datalink and network layers, including their application in problem solving and troubleshooting network issues.

Knowledge & Understanding
Application and Problem Solving

3. Critically evaluate within a team-based setting the requirements for the physical core of a computer network and the deployment of switches, routers, gateways and VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks), including diagnosing and troubleshooting configuration and connectivity issues, and be able to communicate effectively within the process.

Critical Reasoning and Collaboration
Communication

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

Tanenbaum, A. S., Feamster, N. and Wetherall, D. J. (2021), Computer Networks, Global Edition, PearsonCISCO, (2025), CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Glossary Booklet: 1st Edition - 2025, IPS Specialist Publishing

Wahba, E. (2026), Networking Advanced Systems: Mastering Complex Network Systems and Protocol Engineering, Amazon

Montgomery, T. (2023), AWS Certified Advanced Networking Study Guide: Specialty (ANS-C01) Exam (Sybex Study Guide), Sybex

On this module you will learn why routing and switching are considered as part of the core networking landscape. 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. The module will look at industry systematic methods of fault finding and solving with applicable documentation.