Course Title: Undertake network performance analysis

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2010

Course Code: EEET6726C

Course Title: Undertake network performance analysis

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

Noor Sateh

Kemps Cheng

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 deals specifically with the monitoring of network performance. 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:	ICTTC046C Undertake network performance analysis
Element:	1. Determine service levels
Performance Criteria:	Quality of service standards levels are established in conjunction with equipment suppliers, taking into account customer opinion and equipment capability Trend analysis data is collected and analysed Statistical data related to customer evidence of network degradation is gathered Comparative data from across the whole network is analysed Mean time between failures is established using historical data, equipment capability records and allowing for process improvement Restoration times in the event of service breakdown are established Resources necessary to monitor service levels is determined, organised and allocated
Element:	2. Check the integrity of the network
Performance Criteria:	Service levels are continually monitored to ensure that established standards are achieved and/or improved Appropriate tests are undertaken on a regular basis to ensure performance levels are within prescribed specifications Network alarms relating to the overall network and the network elements are continually monitored All network repair and configuration activity on the network is continually monitored and managed Trouble reports are received and analysed on a regular basis Active fault queues are checked and progress reports obtained as to fault status Customer perception surveys are undertaken on a regular basis and information used to manage network health Performance data including customer feedback is used as a regular indicator of network performance
Element:	3. Monitor the delivery of quality service
Performance Criteria:	Alarm panels are monitored on an ongoing basis Real time analysis of data/information from all sources, as to network health is undertaken Message retrieval system is checked on a regular basis
Element:	4. Organise quality repair
Performance Criteria:	Performance results are analysed on a regular basis and investigations initiated as to problem in the event that performance levels are not within specified standards Causes of problems are analysed by testing specific network components Problems are isolated where possible and repair organised or escalated in accordance with enterprise policy Further testing is undertaken after repair to ensure that the problem is corrected Problems/faults are simulated in a captured environment where necessary
Element:	5. Co-ordinate upgrade of software/ hardware
Performance Criteria:	Features or standards lacking as a result of studies and customer feedback are determined and strategies developed to affect change Costs of change proposed are assessed and a cost/benefit study undertaken and submitted for approval Shortcomings in hardware are confirmed and negotiations undertaken with planners/designers for change or improvement Studies are undertaken to ensure that new or modified equipment is compatible with existing equipment Software and hardware changes are initiated with minimum downtime and minimum customer impact Tests are undertaken following upgrade to ensure the level of performance planned as a result of the upgrade is being achieved

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

Classroom tutorial activities to consolidate the theory and application of mobile network which include system design & installation technique and system administrator.
Practical activities to develop skill in the commissioning of mobile network. Conduct complex testing process, diagnose & rectify faults and verify the performance as specification.
Work simulation projects involving the planning, installation and testing of mobile network. Specifications will be provided with work simulation (team or individual basis) or may be negotiated to suit a workplace based application

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

Note:  There will be some minor variation of the schedule.

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Cellular Communications Explained From Basics to 3G Ian Poole • Schwartz, M., “Mobile Wireless Communications”, Cambridge University Press, 2005 • Rappaport, T.S., “Wireless Communications Principles and Practice”, 2nd Ed., Prentice Hall PTR, 2002 • Gary M. Miller, "Modern Electronic Communication", the latest edition, Prentice Hall

Other Resources

Shared network drive (S:\).

Overview of Assessment

ASssessment may include:

Assignment based research 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 research reports 30% 
Laboratory Exercise 30% 
Project or Written Test 40%

Other Information

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

Course Overview: Access Course Overview