Assessment

Internetworking Basics

Assessment and Grading

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will be by means of a activities, case studies, tests and assignment work collected into a portfolio of work. The class activities and assignments are designed to cover the grading criteria for the unit.

This means that you should attend all classes unless you have a VALID reason for not attending.

How will I be graded?

Pass

To achieve a pass you must have a good grasp of networking terminology and concepts. In addition you should have the practical ability to set up the hardware, software and protocols needed for small networks typically found in home offices and small businesses. You should be able to draw diagrams showing networked devices and topologies. You should have basic troubleshooting skills such as voltage and continuity testing, the ability to test network cables and low-level connectivity using utilities like ping and traceroute. You should be able to set up and configure a PC for internet browsing. A grasp of IP addressing is required including the concept of a subnet mask. You should be able to carry out binary, decimal and hexadecimal conversions needed to work with Internet Protocol (IP) and Media Access Controller (MAC) addresses. Finally, you should be able to connect to a router in order to carry out configuration work.

Merit

To achieve a merit you must show a deeper understanding of networking including the layered nature of networked systems. You will be able to track down faults in networks using a logical approach based on the OSI layers. You will be able to document your troubleshooting procedure. You will be able to use visual observation and test equipment to correctly identify different types of cables and also correctly diagnose faults in cables. You will be able to configure a router to connect to a LAN and also set up basic Wide Area Networking in order to replicate the process of connecting a home or office LAN to a WAN. Your understanding of IP and MAC addresses will enable you to explain the ARP command and the changing contents of ARP tables. Finally, you will have some network design skills and the ability to document your designs and addressing schemes.

Distinction

To achieve a distinction you will have a thorough grasp of the subject and an ability to evaluate networks and justify your findings in clear and appropriate technical language. You will have the ability to document an existing network using appropriate diagrams and you will be able to describe the network correctly in terms of the OSI layers. In addition, you will be able to provide constructive criticism of a network design, identifying limitations and proposing solutions and improvements. Finally, you will be able to design IP addressing schemes involving subnetting.

Grading Criteria

The table below shows the grading criteria. A printer friendly version is available

Grading Criteria
To achieve a pass your work must show:	To achieve a merit your work must show:	To achieve a distinction your work must show:
`P1`. wire and test a patch lead and document straight through, crossover and rollover wire maps and colours `P2`. build and test a small peer-to-peer network configuring a protocol such as TCP/IP on more than one host and configure browser settings `P3`. perform straightforward IP address and subnet mask calculations in decimal and binary `P4`. configure terminal emulation software such as HyperTerminal and set up a management console connection to a device such as a router, switch or other host `P5`. document simple networks using appropriate networking concepts and terminology and use diagrams to show the devices and topologies.	`M1`. design and document a simple network showing the devices, topologies and IP addresses `M2`. set up and test a simple routed WAN, documenting the process and recording the configuration and diagnostic commands that were used `M3`. carry out and document a methodical fault finding procedure to locate introduced hardware or protocol configuration fault/s `M4`. demonstrate an understanding of the seven OSI layers and the protocols, devices and tasks carried out at each layer.	`D1`. design an addressing scheme for a given networking scenario involving subnetting and allocate IP addresses to hosts on each subnet `D2`. examine and document an existing network, accurately describing the media, devices and protocols in terms of the OSI or TCP/IP layering scheme, making correct use of networking terminology `D3`. evaluate an existing network design/scenario and describe any strengths or limitations you notice taking into account possible future expansion needs.


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