HND Assignment Brief

Session: February 2019

Programme title BTEC HND in Computing

Unit number and title 2 Networking (RQF L4)

Assignment number & title 1 of 1 Networking (RQF L4)

Unit Leader --

Assessor (s) Dr Xavier Matieni

Issue Date 04/03/2019

Final assignment
10 – 15 June 2019
submission deadline

17 – 22 June 2019

Late submission deadline The learners are required to follow the strict deadline set by the College
for submissions of assignments in accordance with the BTEC level 4 – 7
submission guidelines and College policy on submissions.

Resubmission deadline TBA

Formative feedback will be available in class during the semester.

Feedback Final feedback will be available within 2 – 3 weeks of the assignment
submission date.

 The work you submit must be in your own words. If you use a quote or an
illustration from somewhere you must give the source.
General  Include a list of references at the end of your document. You must give all your
sources of information.
Guidelines  Make sure your work is clearly presented and that you use readily
understandable English.
 Wherever possible use a word processor and its “spell-checker”.

Internal verifier M. J. Hasan

Signature (IV of the

brief) *
MJ Date 27/02/2019
 ICON College of Technology and Management
BTEC HND in Computing
Unit 2: Networking (RQF L4)
Session: February2019
Coursework
Recommended word limit:3,000

You are strongly advised to read “Preparation guidelines document” before answering
your assignment.

ASSIGNMENT

Objective

This coursework is designed in the form of set questions and design scenario. The tasks are divided
into four sections, with section compromising several questions. The coursework should be submitted
as one document in a report format.

Scenario

You have been hired by LUCMAT Ltd and your supervisor has assigned to you the task of extending
the company existing LAN which incorporated three departments as follows:
 HR: 8 computers & printer
 Design: 35 computers & printer
 Sales: 40 computers & printer
to an additional department for Research and Development (R&D): 20 computer & printer.
The network consists of 3 Servers:
 Web,
 Email,
 DNS
All servers are shared between all users.
The company will be using a private IP address 192.168.10.0/24

You are required to design and implement a network according to the new requirements.

Given the above scenario, produce a report that includes:

LO1 Examine networking principles and their protocols

All Networks serve the same purpose which is to share resources, whether the resources are printers,
files, emails, web pages or web services. Discuss the benefits and constraints of different network
types and standards. A network topology is referred to as the shape of how the computers and other
network components are connected to each other. Explain the impact of network topology,
communication and bandwidth requirements. Protocols and standards make networks works together;
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in most cases a network allows computers of different types to intercommunicate using a network
protocol. Consider the benefits and constraints of common networking principles and how protocols
enable the effectiveness of networked systems. Considering a given scenario, classify the topology
protocol selected for the efficient utilisation of a networking system.
LO2 Explain networking devices and operations
A Server is a computer system that provides and manages shared network resources such as files,
printers, e-mail, Web pages. Explain the operating principles of networking devices and server types.
At the same time, discuss the interdependence of terminal hardware in conjunction with relevant
software. Two primary goals drive networking design and implementation: Application availability,
Cost of ownership. Explore a range of server types and justify the selection of a server, considering a
given scenario regarding cost and performance optimisation.

LO3 Design efficient networked systems

Networking devices must reflect the specifications the organizations in which they operate. Design a
networked system to meet a given specification.
To check the robustness your network, introduce some invalid inputs to observe the results that would
be obtained. Test and evaluate the design to meet the requirements and analyse user feedback and
justify your choice of devices for your network design. Prepare step-by-step installation plan and
configure network services and applications of your designed network. Produce a maintenance
schedule to support the networked system.

LO4 Implement and diagnose networked systems

After identifying the cause of a problem, the next step is to come up with a possible solution (or
workaround) to that problem, and plan an implementation scheme. Implement a networked system
based on a prepared design.
Usually, implementing a possible solution involves making changes to the network. Document and
analyse test results against expected results. Recommend potential enhancements for the networked
systems (with reference to the above scenario). And finally, use critical reflection to evaluate own
work and justify valid conclusions. .

Relevant Information
To gain a Pass in a BTEC HND Unit, you must meet ALL the Pass criteria; to gain a Merit, you must
meet ALL the Merit and Pass criteria; and to gain a Distinction, you must meet ALL the Distinction,
Merit and Pass criteria

1. Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Pass Merit Distinction
LO1 Examine networking principles and their protocols
P1
Discuss the benefits and constraints of
M1 Compare common networking
different network types and standards.
principles and how protocols enable LO1 & 2
P2 Explain the impact of network
the effectiveness of networked D1 Considering a given scenario,
topology, communication and bandwidth
systems. identify the topology protocol
requirements.
. selected for the efficient utilisation
of a networking system.
LO2 Explain networking devices and operations
M2 Explore a range of server types
P3 Discuss the operating principles of
and justify the selection of a server,
networking devices and server types.
considering a given scenario

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 P4 Discuss the inter-dependence of regarding cost and performance
workstation hardware with relevant optimisation.
networking software.
LO3 Design efficient networked systems
P5 Design a networked system to meet
a given specification. M3 Install and configure network D2 Design a maintenance
P6 Test and evaluate the design to meet services and applications on your schedule to support the
the requirements and analyse user choice. networked system.
feedback.
LO4 Implement and diagnose networked systems
P7 Implement a networked system
M4 Recommend potential D3 Use critical reflection to
based on a prepared design.
enhancements for the networked evaluate own work and justify
P8 Document and analyse test results
systems. valid conclusions.
against expected results.

2. Preparation guidelines of the Coursework Document

a) All coursework must be word processed.
b) Document margins must not be more than 2.54 cm (1 inch) or less than 1.9cm (3/4 inch).
c) Font size must be within the range of 10 point to 14 point including the headings and body text.
d) Standard and commonly used type face such as Times new Roman or Arial etc should be used.
e) All figures, graphs and tables must be numbered.
f) Material taken from external sources must be properly refereed and cited within the text using Harvard
standard
g) Do not use Wikipedia as a reference.
h) Word limit must be strictly followed.

3. Plagiarism and Collusion

Any act of plagiarism or collusion will be seriously dealt with according to the regulations. In this context the
definition and scope of plagiarism and collusion are presented below:
Plagiarism is presenting somebody else’s work as your own. It includes copying information directly from the
Web or books without referencing the material; submitting joint coursework as an individual effort.
Collusion is copying another student’s coursework; stealing coursework from another student and submitting
it as your own work.
Suspected plagiarism or collusion will be investigated and if found to have occurred will be dealt with
according to the college procedure. (For details on Plagiarism & Collusion please see the student hand
book)

4. Submission
a) Initial submission of coursework to the tutors is compulsory in each unit of the course.
b) Student must check their assignments on ICON VLE with plagiarism software TurnItIn to make sure the
similarity index for their assignment stays within the College approved level. A student can check the
similarity index of their assignment three times in the Draft Assignment submission point located in the
home page of the ICON VLE.
c) All Final coursework must be submitted to the Final submission point into the unit (not to the Tutor). A
student would be allowed to submit only once and that is the final submission.
d) Any computer files generated such as program code (software), graphic files that form part of the
coursework must be submitted as an attachment to the assignment with all documentation.
e) The student must attach a tutor’s comment in between the cover page and the answer sheets in the case
of Resubmission.

5. Good practice
Make backup of your work in different media (hard disk, floppy disk, memory stick etc) to avoid distress for
loss or damage of your original copy
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6. Extension and Late Submission
a) If you need an extension for a valid reason, you must request one using an extenuating circumstances
request form available from the college exam office and ICON VLE. Please note that the lecturers do not
have the authority to extend the coursework deadlines and therefore do not ask them to award a
coursework extension. The completed form must be accompanied by evidence such as a medical
certificate in the event of you being sick
b) Late submission will be accepted and marked according to the college procedure. It is noted that late
submission may result in grading from PASS.

7. Submission deadlines

Formative feedback Week 12

Final Submission 10 – 15 June 2019

Late submission 17 – 22 June 2019

Submit to: Online to the ICON VLE only

Glossary:

Analyse: Break an issue or topic into smaller parts by looking in depth at each part. Support each part
with arguments and evidence for and against (Pros and cons)

Critically Evaluate/Analyse: When you critically evaluate you look at the arguments for and against
an issue. You look at the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments. This could be from an article
you read in a journal or from a text book.

Discuss: When you discuss you look at both sides of a discussion. You look at both sides of the
arguments. Then you look at the reason why it is important (for) then you look at the reason why it is
important (against).

Explain: When you explain you must saywhy it is important or not important.

Evaluate: When you evaluate you look at the arguments for and against an issue.

Describe: When you give an account or representation of in words.

Identify: When you identify you look at the most important points.

Define: State or describe the nature, scope or meaning.

Implement:Put into action/use/effect

Compare: Identify similarities and differences

Explore: To find out about

Recommend: Suggest/put forward as being appropriate, with reasons why

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