Program Overview

Introduction to COMP2270 Networking and Cloud Computing

COMP2270 is a university program that introduces students to the principles and concepts of computer networking and cloud computing. The aim is to provide students with an understanding of the differing ways that networks are structured between corporate environments, the Internet, and The Cloud.

General Information

• Unit convenor and teaching staff: Lecturer and Unit Convenor Damian Jurd, Lecturer Young Lee
• Credit points: 10
• Prerequisites: 50cp at 1000-level or above, including 20cp from (COMP1000 or COMP1010 or COMP1050 or COMP1150 or COMP1151 or COMP1300 or COMP1350 or COMP1750 or MATH1007)
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged status: None
• Unit description: This unit introduces students to the principles and concepts of computer networking and cloud computing.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Discuss the organisation of physical compute and storage resources.
• Describe the arrangement and operation of physical networks, and the role of network protocol stacks.
• Demonstrate an understanding of IP addressing, routing and subnetting.
• Describe and use an arrangement and operation of cloud compute and storage resources.
• Describe and use an arrangement and operation of virtual networks.
• Compare and contrast various network management principles and orchestration approaches of cloud compute, communication, and storage resources.
• Demonstrate technical networking proficiency including the ability to configure, construct, and document, and in simple cases, design networks, as well as the ability to perform traffic analysis on local area networks.

General Assessment Information

The unit has three different scheduled class types:

• Lecture: Lectures begin in week 1. Attendance is recommended but not compulsory. Lectures are generally available via the ECHO360 to livestream or to view at a later date, notwithstanding technical issues.
• Small Group Teaching Activities (SGTA): SGTAs begin in week 2. SGTAs are designed to provide students with examples related to lecture material, to relate the lecture material to the workshop exercises, and to act as scaffolding for the term project assessment.
• Workshop: Workshops begin in week 2. Practical classes offer the opportunity for students to engage in hands-on activities in order to apply what has been learned from the readings, lecture materials, and SGTA exercises.

Assessment Tasks

The assessment tasks for this unit include:

• Project (30%): The project tests students' understanding of selected networking and cloud technologies and their usage within an organisation (or across organisations) including issues relating to security.
• Skills Exercise (30%): Students will be assessed during a particular week based on the tasks they have completed in practical classes/SGTAs over the entire session.
• Final exam (40%): The final examination asks students to answer conceptual questions about the course material as well as solve simple networking problems.

Delivery and Resources

• Lectures: The lecture is 2 hours each week. Students enrolled in the "live stream" class for the lecture are welcome to attend the lecture on campus.
• Small Group Teaching Activities (SGTA) and Workshop Classes: Each week, students are encouraged to attend two hours of lectures, a one-hour SGTA, and a two-hour workshop (except in week 1).
• Text Books and Digital Resources: The textbook for the unit is "Business Data Communications and Networking" by Fitzgerald and Dennis.
• Technologies Used and Required: This unit will be using lab computers for the workshop activities. Quizzes and exams must be completed on the lab computers.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

• Academic Appeals Policy
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Academic Progression Policy
• Assessment Policy
• Fitness to Practice Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
• Special Consideration Policy

Changes from Previous Offering

This is the first offering of the unit.

Changes since First Published

• 16/02/2025: Adjusted skills exercise due date in consultation with the director of the BIT.
• 15/02/2025: Updates made at the request of the program director of the BIT.