Course Title: Identify best fit topology for a wide area network

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2009

Course Code: COSC5329C

Course Title: Identify best fit topology for a wide area network

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5194 - Diploma of Information Technology (General)

Course Contact : Radhu Punchanathan

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1409

Course Contact Email:radhu@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Radhu Punchanathan
radhu@rmit.edu.au
Ph: (03) 9925 1409

Nominal Hours: 20

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

This course is co-delivered & co-assessed holistically with COSC 5327C Select and install a router

Course Description

This unit defines the competency required to determine the most appropriate way of networking computers to meet user needs and business requirements. Network topologies include large and small local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), virtual private networks (VPNs), virtual local area networks (VLANs) and wireless local area networks (WLANs).


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICAA5145A Identify best fit topology for a wide area network

Element:

Determine user needs

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify the different local area network (LAN)/wireless local area network (WLAN) or virtual private network (VPN) segments of the proposed wide area network (WAN)
1.2 Determine segment needs using functional analysis
1.3 Estimate traffic content and volumes according to expected organisational usage, by examining telecommunications infrastructure
1.4 Develop an organisational WAN functional matrix

Element:

Develop local area network specification

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Determine resource requirements for each LAN/WLAN or VPN segment on the basis of functional analysis
2.2 Consider and report how features of the physical environment affect WAN design
2.3 Choose a WAN service appropriate to the amount and type of traffic expected to access the WAN
2.4 Include redundant links in the proposed WAN connectivity for link back up purposes, in case the main link is disrupted


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Theory sessions, Online study material, Hands-on Practicals, in-class tests


Teaching Schedule

Refer to the Study Guide Class handout for detailed weekly breakdown


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Cisco Networking Academy Program Working at a Small-to-Medium Business or ISP, CCNA Discovery Learning Guide by Allan Reid & Jim Lorenz Publisher: Cisco Press ISBN-10: 1587132109 ISBN-13: 9781587132100


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including assignment, practical demonstrations, online quizzes and a final exam. You will be asked to demonstrate your work to your teacher to ensure relevant competency standards are met. You will be provided feedback throughout the course.


Assessment Tasks

In-Class Module Tests
There will be 9 in-class close book module tests during the course. These tests are based on multiple choice questions. Students are advised not to seek help from any other person or source such as internet websites during these tests.
Students must achieve a minimum of 60% in each of the 9 tests to gain a CA result in this assessment component.


Assignment
This assessment is a written submission. Students must obtain at least CA to achieve overall CA in the course.


Practical Skills Assessment
Description: This is hands-on demonstration of practical skills which may include design a network, cabling the networking devices (switches and routers etc), and configuration of networking devices, testing and troubleshooting the network. Students must obtain at least CA in this assessment to achieve overall CA in the course.

Final Supervised Exam
Students who attain a CA (Competent) in the assignment and Practical Demonstration (Skill Exam) and in each of the In-class module tests (60% Average) will be eligible for the following:

1. To sit for the Final Supervised Test.
2. To complete CISCO NETWORKING ACADEMY requirements to gain Cisco Academy certificate (CCNA Discovery 2).(provided they have already completed their CCNA Discovery 1).
The Final Supervised Exam will consist of multiple choice questions. This assessment can be conducted either as on-line (only for Cisco eligible students) or paper based assessment. The duration of this exam will be one hour. This exam is strictly close book and students are advised not to use any internet help while doing the final test. During this exam students are expected to follow exam rules of the university.


Assessment Matrix

COSC5329C Identify best-fit topology for a wide area network In-class module tests CA / NYC
(weekly)
20%
Assignment
CA/NYC
(Week 12)
30 %

Practical Skills Assessment CA / NYC
(week 16)
30 %
Final Supervised Exam
Week 17
20 %
Element 1 – Identify WAN needs Yes Yes Yes Yes
Element 2 – Create WAN specification Yes Yes Yes Yes

Other Information

Competency & Grading Requirements:

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over multiple tasks.

To be deemed competent students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a competency including employability skills.
Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Students must achieve competency (CA) in each competency based assessment task.

Each assessment task will also carry a numerical weighting to be used for grading purposes to reflect participation, quality and professionalism.

CISCO Academy Certificate:
Students interested in obtaining Cisco Academy’s Certification of completion and wish to continue towards Cisco’s world known Cisco Academy Program (CCNA) are advised to complete practice module exams during the class, and must pass the final online Cisco Network Academy Exam by obtaining 60 percent or above. Students opting for the Cisco’s online final exam will only be eligible for continuing with Cisco studies during their program of study. Students who have successfully completed assignment and practical assessment exam will only be eligible for the final online exam. More information about the Cisco’s qualification requirements and certification path can be obtained from your Cisco Academy’s CCAI (Cisco Certified Academy Instructor).CISCO Certification:
Students interested in obtaining Cisco Academy’s Certification of completion and wish to continue towards Cisco’s world known Cisco Academy Program (CCNA) are advised to complete practice module exams during the class, and must pass the final online Cisco Network Academy Exam as per Cisco’s requirements. Students opting for the Cisco’s online final exam will only be eligible for continuing with Cisco studies during their program of study. More information about the Cisco’s qualification requirements and certification path can be obtained from your Cisco Academy’s CCAI (Cisco Certified Academy Instructor).


Grading:
A student’s final grade will be the total of their accumulated marks across all assessment tasks.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview