Enterprise networks consists of several highly complex devices that interconnect in likewise complex configurations and modes of operation. While todays network technology has come a long way in terms of high-speed data transmission, secure management components, and software-driven administration, QoS targets have come to the fore as converged technologies have taken over both enterprise and home users of network technologies. This unit will provide students with fundamentals and theoretical foundations of Quality of Service and management aspects of modern network infrastructures. On the basis of industry best practices, research- and experience-driven standardisation, this unit will cover topics pertinent to delivering quality, security, manageability and other targets that are relevant in large-scale networks. Students will also acquire practical skills needed to plan, install, configure and manage networks through laboratory activities and projects.
Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:
(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:
(b.) Additional requirements (all students):
See also Unit timetable information
FIT9135 FIT5135 or FIT9020 or equivalent
Chris Freeman
Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. The University’s student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monash’s educational strategy, see:
www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/ and on student evaluations, see: www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
Based on previous student feedback this unit is considered to be appropriately structured and no changes have been made for this semester.
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
| Week | Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0 | |
| 1 | Introduction to Network Management (NM) and Quality of Service (QS) | |
| 2 | Network Management - Roles, Protocols and Standards | |
| 3 | Network Management - Roles, Protocols and Standards (con't) | |
| 4 | Network Management in Practice | |
| 5 | Network Management in Practice (con't) | |
| 6 | Quality of Service Approaches and Measurements | Assessed tutorial work |
| 7 | QoS Models and Implementation | |
| 8 | QoS in Circuit and Packet Switching Networks | |
| 9 | QoS in IP networks | Assessed tutorial work |
| 10 | QoS in Cellular, Wireless, Satellite and AdHoc networks | |
| 11 | Network Management and QoS in Saturated Networks | |
| 12 | Current research and development in NM and QoS. Revision | Project demos during tutorials, and report due Friday |
| SWOT VAC | No formal assessment is undertaken SWOT VAC | |
| Examination period | LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/ academic/education/assessment/ assessment-in-coursework-policy.html |
*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.
Examination (3 hours): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%
| Assessment Task | Value | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tutorial Assessments | 20% | The assessments will be held during tutorials of Weeks 6 and 9. |
| Network administration project (Tentative Specifications) | 30% | Practical outcomes will be demonstrated during tutorials in Week 12. Reports will be due on the Friday of Week 12. |
| Examination 1 | 50% | To be advised |
Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/assessment-hurdles.html)
Academic Integrity - Please see resources and tutorials at http://www.monash.edu/library/skills/resources/tutorials/academic-integrity/
The assessment requires that exercises are correctly accomplished by individual students.
The outcome of practical work will be assessed during demos, while reports will be assessed separately. Demonstrations must show correct configuration, operation and, in some cases, customization of network components, both hardware and software. Students will also be asked to answer questions to show an understanding of the components being demonstrated. The report will be assessed based on reasonable correctness of network design, choice of services and policies.
Since this is a group assignment, students will receive equal marks, however every member of the group will be interviewed.
No particular textbook is required. Instead, several online and published materials are more than sufficient for this unit, including these primary references:
Monash Library Unit Reading List (if applicable to the unit)
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html
Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.
You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html
Reference sources used in the project, particularly in preparing the report, should be properly paraphrased as well as cited in the body of the report as well as in a separate Bibliography. In rare cases, the actual text from the source may be quoted and likewise cited in the body and the Bibliography. Failure to do so may be grounds for a case of plagiarism being brought up. This may result in the exclusion of the submitted assignment and/or failure in this unit.
It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/student-academic-integrity-managing-plagiarism-collusion-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an electronic submission). Please note that it is your responsibility to retain copies of your assessments.
If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.
Please check with your lecturer before purchasing any Required Resources. Limited copies of prescribed texts are available for you to borrow in the library, and prescribed software is available in student labs.
Students will be required to use Linux virtual machines via virtualization software in the labs. VMware Player (for Windows and Linux) and VirtualBox are free to download and use. Additionally, Linux itself is free to download, and pre-installed Linux virtual machines can be downloaded from various sources, including VMware marketplace.
Students should have Linux virtual machines via virtualization software available for working with at home.
Students should also have external storage devices for virtual machines that can be used in the labs and at home. A 4 GB USB pendrive is sufficient at the minimum.
Desktops and networking equipment are provided for use during tutorial-labs in the Caulfield School of IT network laboratory for on-campus students. However, students will shoulder the cost of downloading documents and software from home. Students should own USB sticks and similar external storage media in order to store intermediate work, including configuration files and scripts, partial reports or entire virtual machine images, although the latter would typically require 2 to 4 GB of free space.
Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to 8 hours per week for reading and private study, including time for the use of a computer to access web-based discussion groups.
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash’s Education Policies at: www.policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Important student resources including Faculty policies are located at http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/
The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at http://www.monash.edu.au/students. For Malaysia see http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services, and for South Africa see http://www.monash.ac.za/current/.
The Monash University Library provides a range of services, resources and programs that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. At Malaysia, visit the Library and Learning Commons at http://www.lib.monash.edu.my/. At South Africa visit http://www.lib.monash.ac.za/.