SOFTENG 364 : Networks and Security

Engineering

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Physical networks, TCP/IP protocols, switching methods, network layering and components, network services. Information security, computer and network security threats, defence mechanisms and encryption.

Course Overview

The course takes a top down approach to Computer Networks, focusing specifically on the internet. It does a thorough coverage of the top four layers of the internet stack, from the Application layer down to the Link layer. It  covers the network edge and core, performance issues, relevant protocols, and security issues. It is a practical course, where in addition to theory, many tools are introduced in lectures, and applied in labs and assignments.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: COMPSYS 201, and SOFTENG 251 or 281

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of of the Internet service model, and what all five layers in the model do (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  2. Identify, describe and analyse important protocols in the top four layers of the internet stack (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  3. Describe and apply Basic Security measures in the top four layers on the internet stack. (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 8.1)
  4. Analyse and evaluate Basic performance measures of the Internet (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  5. Describe and understand the basic components of the internet edge and core (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 12% Individual Coursework
Test 20% Individual Test
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Laboratories 18% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Assignments
Test
Final Exam
Laboratories

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, on a weekly basis you can expect 4 hours of lectures and/or tutorials, 1 hour of reading and thinking about the content, and 5 hours working on assignments and/or test preparation and/or laboratories.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures, tutorials, and labs to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and labs will not be available as recordings.

The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.

Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

The course is loosely based on the text book "Computer Networking, A Top-Down Approach" by James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross

Health & Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy. The Labs will be held in the Engineering school MDLS , all students are expected to follow the safety guideliens and rules for the lab.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Overall the 2023 students were very positive about the course. More support was requested for learning to use Wireshark as a packet analysis tool. This will be provided in 2024.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.