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  2. Data Communication and Computer Networks [ENS6161]

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Data Communication and Computer Networks

  • Unit Code

    ENS6161

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

In this unit, students will gain an understanding of the physical and logical elements of data communication and computer networks. Communication aspects of transmission media are introduced along with an overview of the ISO Open System Interconnect reference model and the TCP/IP protocol suite. The unit provides an in-depth coverage of wired and wireless data networks and emphasises performance comparisons between different protocol implementations in both wired and wireless communication networks.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded ENS5343

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the concepts applicable to data communications.
  2. Describe the concepts of distributed data processing and data networks.
  3. Design a network using appropriate protocols to ensure reliability, security and recovery from errors in data transmission.
  4. Identify and describe the fundamental equipment units (building blocks) used in data communication networks.
  5. Reflect critically on new developments in data communications and their impact on engineering practice and society.
  6. Research technological advancements in wireless and mobile data communications.

Unit Content

  1. Advances in wireless technology and their applications.
  2. Concepts of data communication, standards and protocols.
  3. Data communication equipment, and communication services; data transmission and line control procedures.
  4. Industrial control protocols and their applications.
  5. Internetworking protocols, addressing and routing techniques.
  6. Link protocols such as high-level data link control and binary synchronous communications.
  7. Local area networks, networking standards, and network toplogies.
  8. Metropolitan and wide area networks, network routing, and routing strategies.
  9. Reliability, security and recovery.
  10. Transmission media and the physical layer of the Open System Interconnect (OSI) model.
  11. Transport protocols.
  12. Trends in networking.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars and tutorials.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentProblem solving exercises10%
TestClass test20%
Case StudyA case study on an approved topic10%
Examination ^End of semester examination60%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • ^ Stallings, W. (2011). Data and computer communications (9th ed.). New Jersey, NJ: Pearson Education.
  • Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2009). Computer networking: a top-down approach (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
  • Shay, W. ( 2004). Understanding data communications and networks (3rd ed.). California, CA: Thomson.
  • Forouzan, B. A., & Mosharraf, F. (2011). Computer networks, a top-down approach (4th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS6161|1|1

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Data Communication and Computer Networks

  • Unit Code

    ENS6161

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

In this unit, students will gain an understanding of the physical and logical elements of data communication and computer networks. Communication aspects of transmission media are introduced along with an overview of the ISO Open System Interconnect reference model and the TCP/IP protocol suite. The unit provides an in-depth coverage of wired and wireless data networks and emphasises performance comparisons between different protocol implementations in both wired and wireless communication networks.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded ENS5343

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the concepts applicable to data communications.
  2. Describe the concepts of distributed data processing and data networks.
  3. Design a network using appropriate protocols to ensure reliability, security and recovery from errors in data transmission.
  4. Identify and describe the fundamental equipment units (building blocks) used in data communication networks.
  5. Reflect critically on new developments in data communications and their impact on engineering practice and society.
  6. Research technological advancements in wireless and mobile data communications.

Unit Content

  1. Advances in wireless technology and their applications.
  2. Concepts of data communication, standards and protocols.
  3. Data communication equipment, and communication services; data transmission and line control procedures.
  4. Industrial control protocols and their applications.
  5. Internetworking protocols, addressing and routing techniques.
  6. Link protocols such as high-level data link control and binary synchronous communications.
  7. Local area networks, networking standards, and network toplogies.
  8. Metropolitan and wide area networks, network routing, and routing strategies.
  9. Reliability, security and recovery.
  10. Transmission media and the physical layer of the Open System Interconnect (OSI) model.
  11. Transport protocols.
  12. Trends in networking.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars and tutorials.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentProblem solving exercises10%
TestClass test20%
Case StudyA case study on an approved topic10%
Examination ^End of semester examination60%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • ^ Stallings, W. (2011). Data and computer communications (9th ed.). New Jersey, NJ: Pearson Education.
  • Forouzan, B. A., & Mosharraf, F. (2011). Computer networks, a top-down approach (4th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
  • Shay, W. ( 2004). Understanding data communications and networks (3rd ed.). California, CA: Thomson.
  • Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2009). Computer networking: a top-down approach (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS6161|1|2