Applied Sciences, 

Computing & Engineering

LEVEL: M (CQFW 7)

MODULE: COM739 NETWORKING HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

ASSIGNMENT: 1

RETURN DEADLINE: 05/01/2023 23:59

LECTURER: Nigel Houlden

Verified by: Leanne Davies

To be completed by student:
I certify that, other than where collaboration Name:
has been explicitly permitted, this work is ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the result of my individual effort and that all
sources for materials have been
Student number:
acknowledged.  I also confirm that I have ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
read and understood the codes of practice Date submitted:
on plagiarism contained within the Glyndwr ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Academic Regulations and that, by signing Signature:
this printed form or typing my name on an
electronically submitted version, I am
agreeing to be dealt with accordingly in any
case of suspected unfair practice.

Are extenuating circumstances being claimed? YES / NO If so, give reference number: ………….
To be completed by lecturer:

Grade/Mark:
Assignment Description

Assignment: Individually, you will write a paper on one aspect of modern network management and
security within a large enterprise network, considering the latest developments in network
technology related to the aspect you choose.

Your paper MUST be technical, this is NOT a business report!

The paper could consider one of the following elements:

 Network design - Scaling enterprise networks – As a network administrator, how would

you ensure that a network can scale?
 Network Security – Implementation of VLANs, ACLs and Firewalls. Why are they needed
and how would they be implemented? Are there other elements of security that should be
considered?
 Connectivity – How would the network campus be connected? (Consider the physical
environment and constraints of the network campus).
 Remote Access – How could network resources be accessed remotely?
 Quality of Service – How would QoS be implemented and why?
 Troubleshooting – What tools would you implement to aid in troubleshooting network
issues?

This is not an exhaustive list and you may come up with your own topic, you must confirm this
with the lecturer 15th December via e-mail.

There are no right or wrong answers to any of the aspects pointed out above, however justification
must be provided for your choices.

Guidance

The paper should be approximately 2,000 words (+/- 250), using the two-column IEEE
Transactions/Journal Style, (download the TRANS-JOUR.DOC template from Moodle) with no
more than a single diagram per A4 page.  You will lose marks for writing more or less or failing to
observe the correct format.  This is important!

You will each submit an individual paper, which must be entirely your own work.  However, you
will work in pairs on the practical exercises.  You will be given this later.

Submission of the report must be in word or pdf format via the link on VLE (Moodle) under
COM739 Networking Hardware & Software (remember to include the completed front sheet) and
do NOT compress (ZIP, RAR, etc.) the file.  Electronic submissions in an inappropriate format or
without a front sheet will not be marked. Submission deadline 05/01/23.

Grading Criteria

A grade C will be awarded for a partially functional network exercise and a paper showing
awareness of most aspects of practical networking.

MSc COM739   NETWORKING HARDWARE & SOFTWARE 2022-23

A grade B will be awarded for a fully functional network exercise and a paper showing complete
awareness of practical networking.

A grade A will be awarded for a complete exercise and paper, with clear insight into the problems
of translating isolated networking skills into useful techniques for real-world scenarios.

Learning Outcomes

1.      Demonstrate competence in the use of networking hardware and software in both theory and
practice

2. Compare and contrast available networking hardware and software products for different
applications

3. Develop strategies for planning and implementing networking solutions or dealing with
networking problems in real time

4. Synthesize networking solutions from complex information sources and models and judge their
suitability

5. Reflect upon the difference between the theory of networking and the practical requirements of
the workplace

MSc COM739   NETWORKING HARDWARE & SOFTWARE 2022-23