ELEC9506: Semester 2, 2023

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Units ELEC9506 Semester 2 2023 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

ELEC9506: Communications Networks

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Students undertaking this unit should be familiar with fundamental digital technologies and representations such as bit complement and internal word representation. Students should also have a basic understanding of the physical properties of communication channels, techniques and limitations. Furthermore, students should be able to apply fundamental mathematical skills. The unit will cover the following specific material: Communication reference models (TCP/IP, ATM and OSI). Circuit switched and packet switched communication. Network node functions and building blocks. LAN, MAN and WAN technologies. ATM systems. Protocols fundamental mechanisms. The TCP/IP core protocols (IP, ICMP, DHCP, ARP, TCP, UDP etc. ). Applications and protocols (ftP, Telnet, SMTP, HTTP etc. ).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ELEC5740
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Wibowo Hardjawana, wibowo.hardjawana@sydney.edu.au
Laboratory supervisor(s)	Thomas Huang, thomas.huang@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Xinwei Qu, xinwei.qu@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Hao Chang, hao.chang@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam Essay-type	48%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Lab Reports 4 labs 8 mark each	32%	Multiple weeks	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Quizzes Quiz 1 is on 6/9/23 to 8/9/23 Quiz 2 is on 11/10/23 to 13/10/23	20%	Multiple weeks	Canvas quizzes each worth 10% 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Individual Lab Reports – 4 labs * 8 marks each = 32 Marks
Quiz – 2 quizzes * 15 marks each = 30 Marks
Final Exam = 38%

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Background and preview: an introduction to the Internet	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	Physical layer	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Data link layer	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Local Area Networks	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Network Layer – Data Transfer, Routing Protocols and Algorithms	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Network Layer – Data Transfer, Routing Protocols and Algorithms	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	Network Layer – Data Transfer, Routing Protocols and Algorithms	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	Transport Layer	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Application layer	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	WAN Technologies	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	QoS in IP networks	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	Wireless Networks	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 13	1. Mobile IP; 2. Network Security	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Behrouz A. Forouzan, Data Communications and Networking with TCP/IP Protocol Suite, 6th ed., 2022
J. F. Kurose and K. W. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 8th ed., 2022
J. F. Kurose and K. W. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 6th ed., 2013

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. solve ill-defined network problems by employing techniques and principles of protocol design, implementation and analysis
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of concepts in data communications and networking and the advantages and disadvantages of alternative protocols, algorithms and designs
LO3. demonstrate proficiency in assessing and troubleshooting different networks using specific network tools such as packet sniffer to the extent presented in the course
LO4. apply principles and concepts of communication and networking protocols, algorithms and designs to specific engineering problems and situations to the extent of the material presented
LO5. demonstrate an understanding of network protocols and algorithms using fundamental mathematical derivations
LO6. write reports to communicate complex and technical material clearly and concisely, addressing a specific target audience
LO7. work in a team by drawing on the abilities and knowledge of others, emphasizing and fulfilling clear responsibilities and leading in the development of a consensus to the specific engineering problem at hand.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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