Outline

Overview

The unit will cover the following specific material: 1) communication reference models (TCP/IP and OSI); 2) circuit-switched and packet-switched communication; 3) Network node functions and building blocks; 4) LAN, MAN, WAN, and WLAN technologies; 5) data transfer and routing algorithms and protocols between networks; 6) wireless networks (4G, WiFi, 5G and Bluetooth); 7) TCP/IP core protocols (IP, ICMP, ARP, TCP, UDP etc.); 8) applications and protocols (FTP, Telnet, SMTP, HTTP, DHCP, DNS etc.); and 9) network management and security.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Students should be familiar with fundamental digital technologies and representations (e.g., bit complement and internal word representation), have a basic understanding of the physical properties of communication channels, techniques and limitations, and be able to apply fundamental mathematical skills.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Wibowo Hardjawana, wibowo.hardjawana@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s)	Milad Elisha, milad.elisha@sydney.edu.au
Laboratory supervisor(s)	Dawei Tan, dawei.tan@sydney.edu.au
Laboratory supervisor(s)	Thomas Huang, thomas.huang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Wibowo Hardjawana, wibowo.hardjawana@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Shuvashis Saha, shuvashis.saha@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Essay	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 4/9/24 to 6/9/24 Quiz 2 is on 11/10/24 to 13/10/24	20%	Multiple weeks	2 online Canvas quizzes 30 minutes each
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Final Exam: 38%
Quizzes: Quizes will be on weeks 6 and 10 = 20%
Assignments: 4 Lab reports = 32%

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

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:

No late submissions are allowed from Quizzes. Any assignment work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than 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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Background and preview: an introduction to the Internet	Lecture (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 (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)

Attendance and class requirements

Laboratory: The labs are designed to greatly deepen students` understanding of network protocols by seeing them in action. The labs cover various layers of internet protocols, and will give students the opportunity to observe the sequence of messages exchanged between two protocol entities, and to even try different parameters in some protocols to watch the effects.
Tutorial: Tutorials are designed to help student understand the materials from the lectures, as well as the textbook.
Independent Study: The introductory nature of this UoS means that students will encounter various pieces of knowledge in networking areas. Therefore, independent study is essential for a successful completion.

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

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

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ELEC3506: Communications Networks

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links