Unit:

Computer Networks
Assignment
Spring – Winter 2021

Important notes
• Please refer to the Assignment Presentation Requirements for advice on how
to set out your assignment. These can be found on the NCC Education
website. Click on ‘Policies & Advice’ on the main menu and then click on
‘Student Support’.
• You must read the NCC Education documents What is Academic
Misconduct? Guidance for Candidates and Avoiding Plagiarism and
Collusion: Guidance for Candidates and ensure that you acknowledge all the
sources that you use in your work. These documents are available on the
NCC Education website. Click on ‘Policies & Advice’ on the main menu and
then click on ‘Student Support’.
• You must complete the Statement and Confirmation of Own Work. The form
is available on the NCC Education website. Click on ‘Policies & Advice’ on
the main menu and then click on ‘Student Support’.
• Please make a note of the recommended word count. You could lose marks
if you write 10% more or less than this.
• You must submit a paper copy and digital copy (on disk or similarly
acceptable medium). Media containing viruses, or media that cannot be run
directly, will result in a fail grade being awarded for this assessment.
• All electronic media will be checked for plagiarism.
Introduction

This assignment enables you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of

computer networks. You are required to produce a document. You are advised to start
work on the assignment at an early stage during the unit.

Some aspects of this assignment will require you to research real components that are
currently available in the marketplace. Furthermore, you will also be asked to make
judgements about what is best for a particular scenario. Please note that there is not
always one right answer. However, you will need to justify your reasons for any choices
you make to get high marks.

You are NOT required to design a complete network. You are required to detail the
specifics covered by the task list shown below.

Choosing an appropriate industry

Step 1: Select an industry, for example; fashion retail, food retail, IT, hospitality, heath,
education, leisure and tourism, automotive, construction, logistics, banking etc. in which
you are interested that uses at least TWO (2) of the following technologies/communication
tools: e-commerce, public wireless network, mobile payment system, VOIP, cloud
computing.
Step 2: Outline your assumptions about the computer networking required by a typical
organisation in your chosen industry and decide what the key components of their
infrastructure are likely to be, what protocols they use, what communication methods they
utilise and what system security features they need, e.g. server upgrades, hardware
upgrades, encryption, firewalls, SSL etc.

Aim
To demonstrate your understanding of computer networking in the real world. You are
required to produce a report, broken down into the following SIX (6) tasks:

Page 2 of 5
Computer Networks © NCC Education Limited 2021
Task 1 Overview – 35 Marks
a) Identify and discuss your chosen organisation and its context, for example, a
construction company would operate in an environment in competition with other
construction companies. Discuss the purpose of their networking requirements and
what means of communication they are likely to use. Identify and explain FOUR (4)
protocols that will be used and identify which layer they operate at within the OSI
model. Explain the purpose of each identified layer.
(15 Marks)

b) Assess and discuss the need for the organisation to make use of wireless
communication, VOIP and a VPN.
• Outline the scope of wireless communication, where it could be used and
identify specific wireless standard you would recommend.
• Clearly justify the need for its use and why you have chosen the specific
Wireless standard.
• Analyse the impact of using wireless communication with regards to security.
• If in your assessment you decide that wireless communication is not
necessary, you should justify why it would not be required and outline the
benefits of not using it.
• Explain what VOIP is and how you could incorporate VOIP into the system.
• Identify the components you would need and actions you would need to take
to get VOIP to work.
• Discuss how VOIP may impact the network security
• Explain what a VPN is with examples of what benefits or disadvantages a
VPN would bring to your chosen organisation.
(20 Marks)

This task requires around 1000 words.

Task 2 Network Layout – 10 Marks

a) In relation to physical and logical networks explain which topology would be better
suited to your chosen organisation. Choose the best suited network topology for
your organisation and provide a justification for your choice.

(10 Marks)
This task requires around 400 words.

Task 3 Security – 15 Marks

a) Discuss the security threats that the organisation is likely to face. Identify and
explain at least SIX (6) threats. Explain what potential damage each could cause
and the tools and techniques that could be used to defend the organisation against
these threats.
(15 Marks)

This task requires around 600 words.

Page 3 of 5
Computer Networks © NCC Education Limited 2021
Task 4 Network Diagram – 20 Marks
a) Draw a logical network diagram relating to your chosen organisation that shows the
main components of the network. Make sure you clearly identify each component.
Allocate suitable IP addresses and add them in the diagram. Include the subnet
mask and identify addresses that need to be provided by the ISP. Justify why you
have selected these IP addresses/ subnet masks and explain how each device
receives its IP address/mask.
(10 Marks)

b) Explain why you have chosen the particular hardware components and the way
you have connected them together. Justify the types of cabling and how it would be
physically configured. Give local prices and specification of suitable hardware/
software you recommend.

(10 Marks)
This task requires around 400 words.

Task 5 Network Operating Systems – 10 Marks

To manage the network, a Network Operating System (NOS) is required.

a) Discuss what network services will be required. Recommend and justify a NOS that
would meet the needs of the network.

(10 Marks)

This task requires around 400 words.

Task 6 Concluding recommendations – (10) Marks

a) Based on your recommendations for the network requirements of your chosen
organisation, include a summary of:

• Type of network deemed most suitable for your chosen organisation.

• The overall hardware requirements and estimated cost.
• Overall security concerns and how they can be mitigated.
• Any additional requirements identified including justification.

(10 Marks)

This task requires around 400 words.

Page 4 of 5
Computer Networks © NCC Education Limited 2021
Guidance
Consult with your tutor if you are uncertain about any aspect of this assignment.

Submission requirements
You must submit a word-processed report.

Your report should answer Tasks 1 to 6. The word count for your report is 3200 words.

Candidate checklist
Please use the following checklist to ensure that your work is ready for submission.

Have you read the NCC Education documents What is Academic Misconduct?
Guidance for Candidates and Avoiding Plagiarism and Collusion: Guidance for
Candidates and ensured that you have acknowledged all the sources that you have ❑
used in your work?
Have you completed the Statement and Confirmation of Own Work form and
attached it to your assignment? You must do this. ❑
Have you ensured that your work has not gone over or under the recommended
word count by more than 10%? ❑
Have you ensured that your work does not contain viruses and can be run directly? ❑

Page 5 of 5
Computer Networks © NCC Education Limited 2021