Course Title: Undertake network traffic management

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2010

Course Code: EEET6725C

Course Title: Undertake network traffic management

School: 130T Vocational Engineering

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6080 - Advanced Diploma of Telecommunications Engineering

Course Contact: Program Manager

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468

Course Contact Email: engineering-tafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Kemps Cheng

Phone Number:  +61 3 99254691

Email:  kemps.cheng@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 150

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

There are no prerequisites

Course Description

This unit relates to the maximisation of all available network capacity in real time. This unit may apply to switching, transmission and radio (both fixed and mobile) network and the various transmission paths i.e. cable, optic fibre, radio, microwave and satellite. This unit applies to computer systems including Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs).


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICTTC043C Undertake network traffic management

Element:

1. Check availability of all installed network capacity

Performance Criteria:

Network alarms are interrogated to identify any areas of route/circuit unavailability.

Planned and unplanned outages are assessed to determine network unavailability and checks are made as to restoration times.

Element:

2. Detect network traffic problems

Performance Criteria:

System is interrogated to identify traffic status.

System alert is analysed to identify traffic problems both real and potential.

Controls are activated either automatically or manually and monitored where applicable.

Traffic measurement data is used to assist identify problems.

Customer complaints are analysed as appropriate.

Semi permanent controls active in the network are activated and deactivated on a regular basis.

Element:

3. Analyse traffic volumes

Performance Criteria:

Circuit allocation is measured in real time in accordance with specification.

Routes to be measured and the specific measurements to be undertaken are identified.

Traffic measurements are undertaken across all identified routes.

Measurement results including historical data is collected.

Results are analysed and conclusions reached.

Traffic patterns are established or updated as required.

Element:

4. Develop strategies to overcome network traffic problems

Performance Criteria:

All relevant data both current and historical is gathered and analysed.

Predetermined thresholds are established.

Loading/grading levels are determined.

Actions necessary to alter traffic flows are determined.

Funding parameters are sought and amendments to plans initiated to fit budgeted levels.

Liaison is established with other involved areas both within and without the enterprise.

Interim traffic controls are determined and allied prior to any action.

Strategies based on traffic analyses and patterns are developed to control traffic and prevent congestion or other traffic problems.

Develop strategies for recovery where traffic congestion/problems occur.

Contingency plans are developed to allow for problems during network changes.

Element:

5. Apply solutions both short and long term where required

Performance Criteria:

Network controls are activated and monitored.

Short term ad hoc solutions are developed and implemented where temporary solution only is required.

Action is implemented to ensure that reversal action is initiated in the case of temporary solution.

Contingency plan is implemented where required.

Monitoring of change is undertaken on a continual basis.

Measurements are undertaken to assess the outcome of variations.

Results of change are analysed and a report prepared for the appropriate authorities with recommendations for further immediate change or for later action.

Continually review and monitor strategies and initiate corrective action where required.

Element:

6. Detect and take action on potential traffic congestion

Performance Criteria:

Traffic loads are measured and analysed.

Potential congestion problems are identified and possible impact determined.

Processor overloads are prevented by controlling traffic.

Potential traffic increases are assessed for impact on the network and contingencies developed to control traffic flow if required.

Element:

7. Provide traffic indicators for capacity planning

Performance Criteria:

Relevant data on traffic patterns both current and historical are gathered.

Data is assessed and conclusions as to necessary action are made.

Reports complete with appropriate recommendations are completed and forwarded to enterprise planners/account managers.


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

See Student Drive


Teaching Schedule

Week 1     Introduction of course
Week 2     Basic communication systems
Week 3     Basic data communication
Week 4     Basic radio communication
Week 5     Serial communication (eg RS-232, USB)
Week 6     Introduction of radio transmitter and receiver
Week 7    OSI layer model
Week 8     Analog modulation
Week 9     Digital modulation
Week 10     Analog modulation
Week 11   Digital modulation
Week 12   Transmission Line (RF)
Week 13   Transmission Line (data communication)
Week 14   Matching of transmission Line (includes VSWR)
Week 15   Matching of transmission Line
Week 16   Revision for the mid-year test
Week 17   Mid-year test
Week 18   Catch-up lab
Week 19   Antenna and radio wave propagations
Week 20   LAN
Week 21   Antenna and radio wave propagations
Week 22   LAN
Week 23   Mobile radio systems
Week 24   Introduction of digital systems
Week 25   Cellular radio system concepts
Week 26   Introduction of digital systems
Week 27   Cellular radio systems
Week 28   SDH/PDH
Week 29   Microwave Link
Week 30   Installation of communication systems
Week 31   Performance analysis of communication systems
Week 32   Performance analysis of communication systems
Week 33   Preparation for the final project report & revision
Week 34   Test
Week 35   Catch-up lab
Week 36   Catch-up lab


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Behrouz A Forouzan, DeAnza College, ’Data Communications and Networking, 3rd Edition’, 2004, McGraw Hill

0072515848


Other Resources

Shared network drive (S:\)


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include:

Assignment based reports

Laboratory Exercises

Project or Written Test


Assessment Tasks

The assessment is conducted in both theoretical and practical aspects of the course according to the criteria set in the National Training Package. The students are required to undertake summative assessments that bring together skills and knowledge as follows:
 Theoretical Written assessment.
 Project submission
 Work Simulation exercises


Assessment Matrix

Assignment Based reports 30%
Laboratory Exercises 30%
Project of Written Test 40%


Other Information

This course is conjunction of EEET6725C and EEET6726C.  The cluster name for both EEET6725C and EEET6726C is ’Network Analysis and Management’.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview