Certificate In It Networking

Course details

Computer networks come in all sizes, from home networks all the way up to large enterprise networks consisting of thousands of computers. Students will learn using industry standard equipment how to install, maintain, programme and manage computer networks. This is a very practical course designed to give the student the skills they need to get work/ promotion in the computer networking area.

Programme Modules

• Telecommunications (5 credits, Level 7)
• Computer Networks 1 (5 credits, Level 7)
• Computer Networks 2 (5 credits, Level 7)
• Computer Networks 3 (5 credits, Level 7)
• Work Placement/ Project (10 credits, Level 7)

Telecommunications

• Discuss the operation and components of key communications systems.
• Describe the different types of communciations media and explain their respective charateristics and applications.
• Recognise and describe different modulation and multiplexing techniques.
• Develop block diagrams of communications systems.
• Calculate power budgets for sample communications systems.
• Explain the role of communications standards and regulation.
• Present and communicate ideas and work done for professional review.

Computer Networks 1

• Describe how networks function and identify network components
• Use the OSI reference model, theTCP/IP reference model and associated protocols to explain how data flows in a network
• Implement a small switched and/or routed network including IP addressing
• Identify and correct common network problems
• Explain basic wireless networking options and configurations
• Present and communicate ideas and work done for professional review

Computer Networks 2

• Differentiate between PAN, LAN and WAN operation and features.
• Describe and analyse key issues at the network and transport layers of the internet.
• Describe the impact of applications on a network.
• Implement and configure a medium sized enterprise network.
• Describe security issues and features for common network types.
• Present and communicate ideas and work done for professional review.

Computer Networks 3

• Describe key application layer protocols and multimedia applications.
• Implement, configure and troubleshoot Wireless LANs.
• Develop network security policies and mitigate risks.
• Describe components of Unified Communications systems.
• Identify and use industry standard tools to configure networks.
• Present and communicate ideas and work done for professional review.

Work Placement/ Project

• Apply the transferable skills they have learnt on their degree course so far.
• Gain experience of technical industry and thereby increase their employability upon graduation.
• Gain practical experience relevant to at least one area of their programme

Put theory into practice.

• Enhance their interpersonal skills and communications by working as part of a team.

Telecommunications

• Communications Systems: Overview of satellite communication systems; mobile phones and cellular networks
• Communications Media: electromagnetic spectrum; copper tranmission media, introduction to transmission line wave propagation and losses;
• RF spectrum, introduction to RF wave propagation and losses, basic antennae types;
• Modulation and Multiplexing Techniques: analog modulation - AM, FM; Digital modulation - ASK, FSK, PSK; Time, frequency and code pision multiplexing/multiple access techniques.
• Block Diagrams: Basic transmitter and receiver blocks, with channel between, for example systems such as public telephone network, cellular networks.
• Power Budgets: Calculate Tx power (dBm) or Rx sensitivity (dBm) required, e.g. for wireless or fibre system, given tx & rx gains (dB), losses and margin (dB).
• Standards & Regulation: World, US, European, Irish and UK standards and regulatory bodies. Comreg's role and responsibilities. Reasons for standards, reasons for regulation.

Computer Networks 1

• Networks: Network diagrams; Network components; Path between two hosts accross a network; Top-down vs bottom up design approaches;
• Protocols & Protocol Architectures: OSI reference model, TCP-IP internet protocol architecture; Protocols at each layer;
• Small Switched/Routed Network: Media, cables, connectors; Devices and hosts; Switches; Routers; Routing concepts - packet forwarding, lookup process; IP addressing (IPv4 & IPv6); Configuration files;
• Network Problems: Network connectivity - ping, telnet, traceroute; Verifying hardware and software operation;
• Wireless Networks: Introduction to WLANs - AdHoc and Infrastructure; Introduction to PANs - Bluetooth.

Computer Networks 2

PAN, LAN and WAN: Bluetooth; Wireless Sensor Networks; IEEE 802.11 Wireless Standards; Wimax; Spread spectrum techniques - FHSS, DSSS; Physical Layer concepts including modulation, multiplexing, coding and synchronisation techniques;

• Network and Transport Layers of Internet: MAC layer, access techniques - CSMA; IPv6, legacy IPv4, NAT;
• Applications: Voice and video; PSTN; VoIP;
• Network Case Study: Medium sized enterprise network:
• Security issues and features: Worm, virus and Trojan Horse attacks; Mitigation methods for common attacks; Securing administrator access; Firewalls;

Computer Networks 3

• Application layer protocols and multimedia: HTTP; DNS; SMTP, MIME; Audio and video encoding and compression techniques.
• Wireless LANs: Different configurations; WLAN environment; Performance assessment - power, range, data rate;
• Network security: Security risks; Principles of good practice; Assess risk vs cost for particular scenarios and applications; Principles of authentication and authorisation; Types of unauthorised attacks and mitigation techniques; VPNs; IEEE 802.1x and Mobile devices security; Introduction to cryptography, encryption weaknesses.
• Unified Communications: Different unified communications architectures and components.
• Industry standard tools: Hardware, software and system products and tools - for design, simulation and implementation.

Work Placement/ Project

The period of Work Placement will form an integral part of the course and will consist of a specified minimum period in a workplace as listed in the Work Placement Guidelines document. Work placement will be managed by a committee consisting of the head of department; programme co-ordinator and the academic supervisor. Each work placement will be supervised by an academic supervisor and an industry supervisor. The student will be invited to find a suitable placement and obtain ratification from the academic supervisor. Assistance will be given to students who have difficulties in securing an appropriate placement. Placement will normally be obtained with industry relevant to the core qualification of the programme.

When a suitable training place has been obtained, the academic supervisor will agree:

1. An industry supervisor within the placement company to whom the student will be responsible.
2. A training programme which takes into account the aims of industrial placement as stated above.

During the placement period the student will be visited on at least one occasion by the academic supervisor. During this visit, assessment will be made of the student's progress within the agreed programme and any necessary alterations, modifications or adjustments will be made after consultation with the student and industry supervisor