Leader: Jeff Tan

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2008 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces the idea of standards and the standardisation process within the networking and data communications area. It follows on from the core unit FIT1005 Networks and Data Communications with a focus on the: types of standards commonly found in information technology; creation, application and maintenance of networking standards; network protocol families, their interdependencies and sequence of development; methods used to define and maintain standards; composition and operation of the various national and international standards organisations; review of some key networking protocol standards and implementation issues.

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit, students will:

1. have detailed understanding of families of network protocols and their interdependencies, and developed skills in their application;
2. understand the historical development of key internet protocols;
3. be familiar with the source documents and specifications used to define key internet protocols, and developed skills in their usage;
4. be familiar with the common methods used to define and promulgate network protocols;
5. be able to identify the national and international organisations whose roles involve the formation of standards in this area;
6. be able to comprehend the notation used in network standard definitions including formal data and structure definition languages such as EBNF, ASN.1, SGML or XML, and developed skills in using this notation;
7. have practical experience of methods used to capture and analyse network protocol packets.

Assessment

Assessable tutorial exercises: 15%; Project assignment: 25%; Final Exam (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

Lectures: 2hrs/week, tutorial: 2hrs/week

Prerequisites

FIT1005 or equivalent