| Effective Term: | 2026/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability |
| Unit Title: | Secure Network Architecture and Design |
| Unit ID: | ITECH2505 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (ITECH1504) |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | (ITECH2300) |
| ASCED: | 020103 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit will provide students with an understanding of the network technologies, protocols, and security considerations for distributed computing environments and equip them with the skills necessary for computer network design. The unit covers computer network security and networking, encompassing Local Area Networks (LANs), Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Mobile Networks together with the underlying network protocols that form the backbone of today's Internet. It also covers the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of different types of applications and how network protocols handle QoS issues. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | |  | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Illustrate the network architecture for open systems interconnection and network security architectures. |
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| K2. | Present the operation of the TCP/IP, software-defined network and mobile communication networks. |
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| K3. | Explain the technologies, protocols and security of the network and transport layers. |
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| K4. | Examine the technologies, architecture and security of LANs, Wireless LANs, WANs and the Internet. |
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| K5. | Determine the principles of LAN design and software defined WAN. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Analyse data communication and networking technologies, and security issues in today`s Internet. |
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| S2. | Analyse the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of applications and identify protocols supporting them. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Analyse and design secure LAN architecture and software-defined WAN for organisational requirements. |
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| A2. | Apply the knowledge acquired in this unit to improve networking performance of an organisation. |
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| Unit Content: |
Topics may include:
1. Introduction to the Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model, TCP/IP protocol architecture and network security architecture;
2. Local Area, Backbone, and Wide Area Networks - topologies, components, architecture and security;
3. Wireless LAN operations, standards and security;
4.
LAN design issues and practical considerations;
5. Network layer protocols and security - IP operation, internetworking and IP Security;
6. Transport layer protocols – TCP and UDP operation, QoS requirements and security protocols;
7. Mobile networks - architecture, access technologies and security;
8. Software Defined Network (SDN) architecture - networking planes, SDN environments, ecosystems and security, and OpenFlow;
9. Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) - architecture, solutions, SD-WAN cloud, AI-driven SD-WAN and SD-Access;
10. The Internet - architecture, access technologies and security. |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | Learning outcomes
(KSA) | Assessment task
(AT#) | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Not applicable | Not applicable | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | Not applicable | Not applicable | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | Not applicable | Not applicable | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Not applicable | Not applicable | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | Not applicable | Not applicable |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S1, S2 | Engage with tutorial and laboratory exercises to scaffold assignment work. | Demonstration of completion | 10 - 20% | | 2. | A1, A2 | Conduct analysis and propose solutions to business problems using networking technologies. Design secure Local Area Networks (LAN)/Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) architectures. | Assignments | 50 - 70% | | 3. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S2, A2 | Assessment tasks will test students` understanding and knowledge of the fundamentals of networking, security, industry standards and best practices. | Examination / Tests | 10 - 30% |
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