COMP9121: Semester 2, 2022

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Units COMP9121 Semester 2 2022 [Normal evening]

Unit of study_

COMP9121: Design of Networks and Distributed Systems

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal evening] - Remote

Overview

The unit covers general foundations of communication systems and a detailed walk through of the implementation of the TCP/IP protocol stack, which forms the basis of the Internet. The unit also covers the basic knowledge of how to analyse, design and implement simple communication protocols. On completion of this unit students will have developed an understanding of the principles and practice of the layered model of communications architecture, the TCP/IP protocol stack and its component protocols, and various common techniques and tools for protocol analysis and design.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	COMP9121
Academic unit	Computer Science
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	COMP5116
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Wei Bao, wei.bao@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home short release)	Final exam Type D	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1 Covers Weeks 1-6. submitted work	20%	Week 07 Due date: 18 Sep 2022 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2 Covers Weeks 7-12. submitted work	20%	Week 13 Due date: 06 Nov 2022 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
= Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1 20%. Covers Weeks 1-6

Assignment 2 20%. Covers Weeks 7-12

Final exam 60%. Covers Weeks 1-13

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

It is a policy of the School of Computer Science that in order to pass this unit, a student must achieve at least 40% in the written examination. For subjects without a final exam, the 40% minimum requirement applies to the corresponding major assessment component specified by the lecturer. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more. Any student not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45 regardless of their average.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Consistent penalty of 5% per day late. Assignments more than 10 days late get 0.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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	Introduction and overview	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Delay and bit error	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Data link layer 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Data link layer	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Data link layer 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Data link layer simulator by Python	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Network layer 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Network layer	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Network layer 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Routing protocols	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Network layer 3	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Wireshark	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	1. Software-defined networking; 2. Transport layer 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	NAT	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Transport layer 2: TCP and UDP	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	TCP and Telnet	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Application layer 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	TCP and cross-layer analysis	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	1. Application layer 2; 2. Network security 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	DNS and HTTP	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Network security 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Hash and public/private keys	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	1. Network security 3; 2. Review	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	TLS and firewall	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Recent advances in computer networks	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Assignment solution	Tutorial (1 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.

James F. Kurose, Keith W. Ross, Computer Networking, a top-Down Approach (6th Edition). Pearson International Edition, 978-0-273-76896- 8.
Andrew Tanenbaum, Computer Networks, Fifth Edition (5th). USA, Prentice Hall, 2010. 0-13-212695-8.

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. understand and be able to use common techniques and tools for protocol analysis
LO2. understand the fundamentals of the TCP/IP protocol stack, and its component protocols
LO3. understand the principles and practice of the layered model of communications architecture
LO4. understand the network performance analysis by basic math tools
LO5. understand network security and its applications

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 significant 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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