Database Design

Module Booklet

1.0Introduction 2

1.2 Learning Outcomes 3

2.0Unit Indicative content: 4

3.0Learning Outcomes and assessment criteria 6

5.0Teaching plan for the term / Scheme of Work 9

6.0Assignment Details 18

6.1 ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 19

1. Introduction

1.1 Aim

To enable learners to understand computer networking concepts, how they work, how they operate and the protocols, standards and the models associated with networking technology.

Unit abstract

Understanding of the underlying principles of networking is of vital importance to all IT professionals in an environment that is increasingly complex and under continuous development.

The aim of this unit is to provide a background to the basic components of networked systems from which all networking operations derive. It also includes the evaluation of networks and network applications.

Learners taking this unit will explore a range of hardware and technologies, culminating in the design and deployment of a networked system. Working with many technologies, this unit can be used for mobile systems, local area networks as well as larger scale wider area networked systems. Supporting a range of units in the Higher National suite this unit underpins the principles of networks for all and enables learners to work towards their studies in vendor units if applicable.

On successful completion of this unit a learner will:

LO1- Understand networking principles

LO2 -Understand networking components

LO3- Be able to design networked systems

LO4- Be able to implement and support networked systems.

1. Unit Indicative content:

1 Understand networking principles

Role of networks: purpose, benefits, resource implications, communications, working practice, commercial opportunity, information sharing, collaboration

System: types, eg peer based, client-server, cloud, cluster, centralised, virtualised

Networking standards: conceptual models eg OSI model, TCP/IP model; standards: eg IEEE 802.x

Topology: logical eg Ethernet, Token Ring; physical eg star, ring, bus, mesh, tree, ring

Communication: bandwidth, throughput

Protocols: relationship to networking standards; purpose of protocols; routed protocols eg IPv4, IPv6, FTP, HTTP, SMTP, POP3, SSL; management of protocols for addressing; routing protocols eg RIP, RIPv2, OSPF, OSPFv3, BGP

2 Understand networking components

Hardware components: workstation eg mobile, fixed, handheld, console; servers; switches; routers; cabling; hubs; repeaters; bridges; wireless devices; mobile eg 3G, 4G, GPRS

Software components: software eg client software, server software, client operating system, server operating system

Server: type eg firewall, email, web, file, database, combination, virtualisation, terminal services server

Server selection: cost, purpose, operating system requirement

Workstation: hardware eg network card, cabling; permissions; system bus; local-system architecture eg memory, processor, I/O devices

3 Be able to design networked systems

Bandwidth: expected average load; anticipated peak load; local internet availability; cost Constraints

Users: quality expectations, concept of system growth

Applications: security requirements, quality of service needs

Communications: suited to devices, suited to users, supportive of lifestyle desires, supportive of commercial requirements

Scalable: able to support device growth, able to support addition of communication devices, able to cope with bandwidth use and trend changes, protocol utilisation, addressing

Selection of components: supporting infrastructure needs; supporting connectivity requirements

4 Be able to implement and support networked systems

Devices: installation of communication devices, allocation of addresses, local client configuration, server configuration, server installation

Connectivity: installation of internet work communication medium

Testing: communication; bandwidth

User access: bandwidth, applications, devices

Policy review: bandwidth, resource availability

System monitoring: utilisation, bandwidth needs, monitoring user productivity

Maintenance schedule: backups, upgrades, security, auditing

1. Learning Outcomes and assessment criteria

On successful completion of this unit a learner will:

1. Teaching and learning Methods

This unit requires a range of skills and strategies to be employed for teaching and learning.

This is suitable for use for a range of sectors and should utilise the full range of skills developed through study of other units in the programme. These include planning, practical work, data handling and processing, critical analysis and presentation skills.

Tutor support will available throughout. You can contact the tutor via email or through your e-learning portal on a regular basis on top of scheduled classroom hours which all learners should attend. There will a number activities leading to peer discussions and learning.

This knowledge gained from this unit can be applied to a number of other units in the programme as well.

Assessment Methods -Summary

The assessment will consist of an individual report based on a case scenario chosen for the purpose to address all the learning outcomes and the implied assessment criteria.

The assessment will comprise of four key components –Understand networking principles, Understand networking components, Be able to design networked systems and Be able to implement and support networked systems

A summative assessment on their report will be conducted on the week 10.

4.1 Methods of Delivery:

LECTURES:

These will be developed around the key concepts as mentioned in the indicative course content and will use a range of live examples and cases from business practice to demonstrate the application of theoretical concepts. This method is primarily used to identify and explain key aspects of the subject so that learners can utilise their private study time more effectively.

SEMINARS:

These are in addition to the lectures. The seminars are designed to give learners the opportunity to test their understanding of the material covered in the lectures and private study with the help of reference books. This methodology usually carries a set of questions identified in advance. Seminars are interactive sessions led by the learners. This method of study gives the learner an excellent opportunity to clarify any points of difficulty with the tutor and simultaneously develop their oral communication skills.

CASE STUDIES:

An important learning methodology is the extensive use of case studies. They enable learners to apply the concepts that they learn in their subjects. The learners have to study the case, analyse the facts presented and arrive at conclusions and recommendations. This assists in the assessment of the learner’s ability to apply to the real world the tools and techniques of analysis which they have learnt. The case study serves as a supplement to the theoretical knowledge imparted through the course work.

Plagiarism:

Any act of plagiarism will be seriously dealt with according to the colleges and awarding bodies’ regulations. In this context the definition and scope of plagiarism are presented below:

Plagiarism is presenting someone’s work as your own. It includes copying information directly from the web or books without referencing the material; submitting joint coursework as an individual effort; copying another student’s coursework; stealing coursework form another student and submitting it as your own work. Suspected plagiarism will be investigated and if found to have occurred will be dealt with according to the college procedure. (For further details please refer to the plagiarism policy and the student code of conduct.)

1. Teaching plan for the term / Scheme of Work

Accrediting Body: EDEXCEL

Course: BTEC HND IN Computing and Systems Development

UNIT 44: LOCAL AREA NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES

Resources

Books

• Burgess M – Principles of Network and System Administration, 2nd Edition (John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2003) ISBN 0470868074

• Hallberg B – Networking: A Beginner’s Guide, 4th Edition (Osborne/McGraw-Hill US, 2005) ISBN 0072262125

• Limoncelli T and Hogan C – The Practice of System and Network Administration (Addison Wesley, 2001) ISBN 0201702711

• Lowe D – Networking All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies, 2nd Edition (Hungry Minds Inc US, 2005) ISBN 0764599399

• More M, Southwick P, Pritsky T and Riggs C – Telecommunications: A Beginner’s Guide (McGrawHill Education, 2001) ISBN 0072193565

• Olifer N and Olifer V – Computer Networks: Principles, Technologies and Protocols for Network Design (John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2005) ISBN 0470869828

• Schiller J – Mobile Communications, 2nd Edition (Addison Wesley, 2003) ISBN 0321123816

• Subramanian M – Network Management: An Introduction to Principles and Practice (Addison Wesley, 2000) ISBN 0201357429 Websites

Websites

• www.cisco.com

• www.howstuffworks.com

• www.webopedia.com

• www.wikipedia.org

Lecturer: Mr Rafiqul Islam

Campus: WH/PR

Contact details: [email protected]

Assessment:

The module will be assessed meeting all the LO as specified by the awarding body, EdExcel.

Please read the instructions carefully while addressing the tasks specified.

Contribution: 100% of the module

Outline Details: Individual report approx. 4500 words. Details enclosed in the assignment brief.

3

Teaching and Learning Activities

The module tutor(s) will aim to combine lectures with tutorial activities. This environment will provide opportunities for the student to understand the course material through case study and text and to apply it in a practical way. The intent is to facilitate interactive class activities, and discussion about the significant role of research in a global and local business environment.

Teaching Ethos

The college’s approach towards teaching and learning is simple and effective. The main aim of UKCBC is to assist learners in maximising their potential by ensuring that they are taught clearly and effectively. This will enable students to engage in the learning environment and promote success in both their academic studies and subsequent career.

1. Assignment Details

In the following pages you will find the assignment for this unit.

Please find the assignment front sheet, assignment brief and other assessment guidelines.

This is the ONLY assignment that will be used to grade you for this unit.

Please go through the scenario and plan for your achievement using the PASS, MERIT and DISTINCTION descriptions / indicative characteristics given below.

• The module will be assessed using all the Learning Outcomes as specified by the awarding body

• Please read the instructions carefully while addressing the tasks specified.

• Contribution: 100% of the module

• Outline Details: Individual report approx. 4500 words. Details enclosed in the assignment brief

Assignment Brief Scenario:

The Beta Communication Ltd is a medium sized telecommunication company specialising in telecom products for a niche market. Until now, the company has relied heavily on standalone PCs and individual dial-up access to the internet for their work.

This year, the company won a lucrative contract and have decided to move to new premises and build their contemporary Local Area Network (LAN) system. As part of building a LAN project, the Managing Director recruited you as a Network Consultant to design, build and implement the company’s LAN with consideration to their limited budget due to the credit crunch.

Your ISP has given you a ‘Class C’ IP address for your company. ‘Class C’ IP address will require to be sub netted to allow for the functions of different departments. Beta Communication Ltd has three separate buildings. You must connect these three buildings with a bandwidth no less than 10 Mbps.

As part of the security, all general staff of the company will not have access to FTP and Web services from their PC. Additionally, Telco products manager and Network Infrastructure (NI) manager will have access to FTP services only. Different functional part of the company are as follows:

First Building:

1st Line Support

There are five 1st line support technicians for their products in the company. All of them use separate PCs for their work. They use high power workstations for their work. They require two large servers, one FTP and other Web server for their department’s data storage and applications.

Network Infrastructure Manager

The NI Manager would like to have powerful PC so that he/she can view their Management Information Systems (MIS). NI Manager would also like the ability to take part in videoconferencing. The manager has stated that much of the information he/she will be using is to remain confidential.

Telco Products Manager

Telco Manager takes care of the company’s Telco products. He/she use one room. As this department deals with large amount of information, the communications for this department must be secure and not reach any of the rest of the network. This room requires one large server for applications and data.

2nd Building:

Ordering and Delivery

This department is in one room and is responsible for shipping the manufactured items to their purchasers. There are three staff here and their work will mainly involve addressing parcels and contacting customers by email. The company will require a web server to accommodate their new website for online ordering.

General Staff

All other staff will require a new PC complete with a suitable office environment operating system (unless stated otherwise) and access to a networked printer. Each floor has their own laser printer. All communications between floors must be secure from eavesdropping.

Third Building:

Only Managing Director and PA will use this floor and they both would like to have a powerful PC, a colour laser printer and a projector. Assume that you have been appointed as Network Consultant to this company and you are required to design the LAN in simulated environment, write the documentation according to the tasks mentioned below and submit it in report format style to Managing Director of Beta Communication LTD.

TASKS 1 TO 4

TASK 1 to TASK 4: You are required to follow the instructions as specified towards each task and support with research by using supportive materials like books, websites, etc., and give feedback on the findings by relating your arguments to the relevant case study as specified towards each task. Your report should fully follow the Harvard Referencing model.

LO1 Understand networking principles

The objective for this task is to address and exhibit understand networking principals.

You are required to carry out research by using supportive materials like books, websites, etc., and give a feedback of the findings on all assessment criteria in task 1. The answers need to be reflected to the given case study.

Task 1

A.C 1.1 Discuss the benefits and constraints of different networking systems, types and topologies. Analyse and clearly identify the requirements of the system for this network in order to convince the management of the given case study company.

A.C 1.2 Evaluate the impact of current network technology, communication and standards for the given case study company.

A.C 1.3 Discuss how protocols enable the effective utilization of different networking systems.

LO2 Understand networking components

Task 2

The objective for this task is to address and exhibit understand networking components.

You are required to carry out research by using supportive materials like books, websites, etc., and give a feedback of the findings on all assessment criteria in task 2. The answers need to be reflected to the given case study.

A.C 2.1 discuss the role of software and hardware components for the given company case study.

A.C 2.2 discuss server types and selection requirement for the given company case study.

A.C 2.3 discuss the inter-dependence of workstation hardware with network components

LO3 Be able to design networked systems

Task 3

The objective for this task is to address and exhibit understand networking components and be able to design a network systems for the given case study. You are required to carry out research by using supportive materials like books, websites, etc., and give a feedback of the findings on all assessment criteria in task 3. The answers need to be reflected to the given case study.

A.C 3.1 Design a network system diagram using MS Visio or any other tools of your choice for the given case study. In the design you should consider current and future provisions in terms of user requirements and the network infrastructure itself.

A.C 3.2 Evaluate the design you have produced for 3.1 is validated in terms of user feedback and other key factors e.g. future provision and use of proposed technology

LO4 Be able to implement and support networked systems

Task 4

The objective for this task is to address and exhibit understand of networking by implement and support network systems for the given case study. You are required to carry out research by using supportive materials like books, websites, etc., and give a feedback of the findings on all assessment criteria in task 4. The answers need to be reflected to the given case study.

A.C 4.1 Implement a network systems based on the proposed design. You are required to use means of simulation software, establish a network according to the design in task 3.

A.C 4.2 Test network systems to meet user requirements. Your testing includes functionality of the network to ensure that your developed network will operate seamlessly in a physical environment so that it can satisfy user requirements.

A.C 4.3 Document and analyse test result against expected results. While carrying out task 4.2, the testing of the network has produced a number of results. List the results you have found in task 4.2 by contrasting them with your expected results.

A.C 4.4 Recommend potential enhancement for the networked systems. Your discussions should include how your developed network will cope with future changing needs and should address possible enhancements of your network to satisfy needs of changing future environment.

A.C 4.5 Design a maintenance schedule to support the network system. Your maintenance schedule should address various factors like personnel allocation, backup and recovery policy, maintaining security & integrity; and general administration to support the users.

6.2 Evidence Checklist

6.3 Contextualisation grid to achieve higher grade

6.4 Assignment Guidelines:

File Format

• Assignments should be uploaded on E-Learning platform before the deadline

• Assignments submitted after the deadline will not be accepted unless mitigating and may be entitled for a late fee.

• Assignments must be submitted in one of the following file formats: .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx or .pdf

• Do not submit html files, web pages, CAD files, Visio (.vsd), PowerPoint (.ppt) or zip files unless these are specifically required for your course

• If you are not sure about the file format required contact your lecturer

Assignment Format

• Use a common format for the questions, for example:

• Introduction (analyse the question.)

• Underpinning Knowledge (write about the relevant theory/points)

• Applied knowledge (Data Analysis)

• Conclusions and Recommendations (summarising the whole scenario keeping in view pass, merit, distinction criteria.)

• In order to PASS you need to address all the LO

• In order to get a MERIT you need to address the characteristics of Pass and address M1, M2,M3

• In order to get a DISTINCTION you need to address the characteristics of Pass, merit and address D1, D2 and D3

Fonts

• Use a clear, readable font such as Verdana, Calibri, Tahoma or Arial, and be consistent and use the same font throughout

• Use black text on a white background. Avoid coloured backgrounds or text in a colour other than black unless you have special permission to use them (for example, if you're dyslexic)

• Use 12 point for the body of your assignment

Spacing

• Use 1.5 or double spacing and fairly wide margins: this leaves room for the marker’s comments

• Leave a blank line between paragraphs

• If the questions are short, leave a blank line between each question; If they are long, start each question on a new page

• Left-justify your work (also known as left-aligned). AVOID block-justified (flush left and right); it might look tidy, but it is harder to read as it can result in gaps between words.

Headings

• Use bold for headings. Do not use underlining or italics

• Essays do not usually require subheadings; reports usually do

Title Page

• The title and number of the assignment

• The course number and name

• The due date

• Your full name and student number

• This information should be centred, starting approximately one third of the way down the page

Numbering

• Number all pages except the title page

• Tables and figures must be numbered and clearly labelled

• Table captions are placed above the table, while captions for a figures go below the figure

• Do not number the items in a Reference List

Headers and Footers

• Insert a header or footer on each page (except the title page). It should contain:

• your name (last name, first name/s)

• your student number

• the assignment number

• the page number

Word Count

• The (approx) word limit for this assignment 4000 to 4500 words

• Any specified word limit in the assignment brief is for guidance purpose only. It is there to give an indication of the level of depth that may be needed to provide sufficient evidence.

• You will not be penalised for producing work outside this limit but should ensure your word count is adequate to meet the assessment objectives.

• Remember that the title/title page, reference list and appendices are not included in the word count

Reference List

• You must ensure that all external sources used to provide evidence in your work must be referenced accordingly to avoid plagiarism and collusion

• All work should be comprehensively referenced and all sources must be fully acknowledged, such as books and journals, websites (include the date of visit)

• You must use correct and consistent Harvard referencing style

• A full reference list should be at the end of the assignment, and should start on a new page labelled 'References' or ‘Reference List’

• Do not include a ‘Bibliography’

Appendices

• Use for information that is too long to include in the body of your assignment

• Use for information that supplements or complements the information you are providing

• Start each appendix (if applicable) on a new page. If there's just one appendix label it ‘Appendix’ without a number, but if there are more than one label them Appendix A, Appendix B, etc. In the main text of your assignment, refer to the Appendix by the label, e.g. Appendix A.

Appendix 4: Glossary of terms used for internally assessed units

This is a summary of the key terms used to define the requirements within units.