Computer Networking is an introductory unit in computer systems networking. It covers basic networking technologies, Ethernet fundamentals, ISO OSI model, routing, switching and subnetting, the Internet architecture, networking protocols including TCP/IP, important networking devices such as repeaters, hubs, bridges, switches, routers and gateways, basic management and security issues. This unit is also the first of three units, which will prepare students for industry based networking certification (CCNA).

This unit covers in depth the basics of networking and provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to install, test, tune, customise, repair and maintain networking hardware and software necessary to create a Local Area Network (LAN). Students also learn how to administer a LAN by setting up user accounts, access privileges, security procedures, and back-up/recovery procedures.

Building on material covered in Programming Fundamentals this unit introduces students to the basics of developing interactive and dynamic web applications from both the client and server perspective. The unit covers web site design, web site development, web page accessibility and usability, XHTML, CSS, client side and server side scripting, database interaction, web site promotion (SEO), legal issues and web security.

This unit extends on the work undertaken in the prerequisite unit and provides students with an in-depth understanding of the role of TCP/IP, ICMP and routing protocols used in IP networks and internetworks. Students will learn about the critical role of routing protocols and how to design, construct and implement small internets. Students will also learn how to perform basic management and security tasks in a practical, hands-on fashion using Cisco routers and other networking equipment. This is the second of three units that prepares the student for industry based networking certification (CCNA).

This unit is concerned with the protection of information transferred over computer networks. It includes discussion of techniques for securing data transported over local and wide area networks. At the conclusion of the unit students will have a good understanding of the practical aspects of securing a computer network against internal and external attacks.

This unit builds on and consolidates the skills and knowledge gained in Computer Networking and Computer Networks and Internets. Students successfully completing this unit will acquire the necessary design skills and knowledge required to build and configure enterprise scale networks. The unit provides students with an opportunity to develop problem-solving techniques and decision-making skills to resolve networking issues. Students completing this unit and its prerequisites should also now be prepared to attempt world recognized network industry certification (CCNA).

The rapid progress in technology, the increasing demand for IT services, and the strong expansion of the Internet have resulted in heterogeneous interconnected networks with many distributed systems that run on them. To ensure access and efficient utilization of network resources, subject to organisational policy restrictions, networked systems must be managed properly. This unit addresses the issues relevant to such management. It covers the principles and current practices pertinent to integrated management of networks, systems, services, and applications. The unit helps the student to understand management functions and architectures as well as current standards and relevant protocols.

In this unit students further develop their theoretical and practical skills in designing and developing web based information systems using systems analysis, programming, database, human computer interaction and web technologies skills that they have learnt in previous units. Current web development technologies and/or frameworks will be utilised to build a complex web information system in a collaborative web development team. Techniques of porting web systems to mobile platforms will also be explored.

This unit is designed for students majoring in data communications. The unit introduces students to the principles, theories, techniques, and systems used in the vast area of digital communications. Students learn about coding and compression, and their corresponding industry standards. The characteristics and performance of various data communication systems such as analog and digital are also examined.

This unit covers networking technologies, and standards of broadband networks that dominate both the WAN and LAN markets. These include frame relay, ATM, broadband ISDN and high-speed LANs. Quality of Service (QoS) issues, and the need to support multimedia and real-time traffic, the need to control congestion and the need to provide different levels of QoS to different applications are the focus.