BTEC Assignment Brief

Qualification 600/3887/1 Edexcel BTEC L3 90-Credit Diploma in Information Technology (QCF)

Unit Number & Title Unit 09: Computer Networks (R/601/7320) GLH: 60; Credit Value: 10;
The aim of this unit is to ensure learners understand different types of networks, why different protocols and
Learning Aim(s)
necessary, key network components and interconnection devices to enable them design and configure computer
(For NQF only) network for business purposes.
Assignment Title Assignment 1 – Networking Fundamentals
Assessor Rebecca Harrop/Frank Nyarko
Internal Verifier Mirella Buccicardi Mirella Buccicardi@barnetsouthgate.ac.uk
Verification Date Monday, 24 September 2018
Issue Date 01/10/2018

Hand in Deadline 14/10/2018

Scenario 1
Mr. Charles Cutler, is the managing director of a small company called Global Web Solutions
(GWS). Mr. Cutler is not technically minded but wants to learn how to set up computer
networks. He wants to understand networking and practise setting up a network at home
before attempting to set up the larger network at his office.
He has asked you to first explain computer network fundamentals, the components needed
and show him how to set-up his home network so that he fully understands what is required
and why.
Vocational Scenario
or Context Mr. Cutler and his family require a home network to do the following:
• Store all their audio and video files in one place and access them from any
device in the house.
• Allow them to use video streaming services (such as Netflix and Amazon video)
on the TV’s, laptops and mobile devices.
• Provide fast network access for Mr. Cutler’s teenage children who play a lot of
Minecraft and MMORPG type games. They play both with friends online and
regularly have friends over to the house to play who would need to connect to
the network
• Print from a shared printer.
Scenario 2
Mr. Cutler’s small company called Global Web Solutions (GWS) wants to set-up a computer
network in their new offices. They have the following requirements:

 They currently have 30 web-designers, 10 admin people, 5 senior managers and 4

servers. They want to allow for 100% growth and would all like to use VoIP services.
 They need a secure network with access to shared resources (files, web servers and
the printers)
Vocational Scenario  They will need internet access and a link to their other office in the next town
or Context  They would like to keep costs to a minimum but have an initial budget of about
£7,500 - £10,000
 They have a small café where the staff eat and would like access to the internet for
personal use.

Mr. Charles Cutler, the managing director of the company, is not technically minded and
would like you to first explain computer network fundamentals and security considerations
to him before designing the network and estimating costs, so that he fully understands what
is required and why.
 Write a report which describes the types of networks (including LAN, WAN and PAN) and
logical and physical topologies (Bus, Ring, Star, Mesh and Tree) available and how they
relate to particular network standards and protocols.

The report should contain the following computer network concepts:

i. access methods such as CSMA, Token Passing

ii. network models such as OSI 7 layer, TCP/IP

iii. types of network protocols and standards including:

Task 1
– TCP/IP, AppleTalk, CSMA-CD, CSMA-CA, UDP and TCP, 802.2, 802.3, FDDI, 802.5, Token
Passing. Wireless technologies and factors affecting range and speed, including:
– 802.11, Infrared, Bluetooth, 3G;

iv. Common Application layer protocols and what they do:

DNS, DHCP, HTTP, POP, SMTP

Ideally you should write this task in the style of an academic essay applied to the scenario
and not as a list of definitions. I.e. identify for Mr. Cutler what types of networks, standards,
protocols and technologies he will be using in his home and office networks.
Checklist of Written report / presentation describing types of networks, available and how they relate
Evidence Required to particular network standards and protocols.
References/citations must be given in an appropriate academic style (e.g. Harvard
referencing). A minimum of 7-10 references is expected.
Criteria Covered by this Task:
Unit / Criteria
To achieve the Criteria you must show that you are able to:
Reference
Describe the types of networks available and how they relate to particular network
P1
standards and protocols.

Add a further section to your report in Task 1, which describes why different network
Task 2
standards and protocols are necessary.
Checklist of Written report describing why different network standards and protocols are necessary.
Evidence Required
Criteria covered by this Task:
Unit / Criteria
To achieve the Criteria you must show that you are able to:
Reference
P2 Describe why different network standards and protocols are necessary

Create a report/presentation with diagrams explaining (including purpose, features and

functions) the key components required for client workstations to connect to a network
and access network resources.

This presentation should include the following Key components:

i. Network devices:
Workstations; Servers (print, mail, file, web, proxy); NIC;
Task 3
ii. Connectors and cabling:
LAN choices such as: UTP, STP, Coaxial, Fibre and Wireless (including cable speeds
and connection standards); and WAN choices: Leased line; Dedicated line; ADSL;
Mobile technology;

iii. Software:
Network Operating System (Mac OSX, Linux, Windows); Virus Checker;
Firewall; Other (email client)
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Checklist of Written report / presentation explaining the key components required for client
Evidence Required workstations to connect to a network and access network resources.
Criteria Covered by this Task:
Unit / Criteria
To achieve the Criteria you must show that you are able to:
Reference
Explain the key components required for client workstations to connect to a network and
P3
access network resources.

Extend your presentation to include an explanation (purposes, features and functions) for
the interconnection devices such as repeaters, hubs, switches, routers and wireless access
points, giving particular reference to the OSI layer model and how these devices differ in
Task 4 the way they treat data bits, frames and packets.

iv. Interconnection devices or equipment:

router, switch, wireless access points;.
Checklist of Written report explaining the functions of interconnection devices.
Evidence Required
Criteria covered by this Task:
Unit / Criteria
To achieve the Criteria you must show that you are able to:
Reference
P4 Explain the function of interconnection devices

Create a presentation which compares the benefits and disadvantages of peer-to-peer

Task 5
network and client / server networks.
Checklist of A table comparing the benefits and disadvantages of peer-to-peer network and client /
Evidence Required server networks.
Criteria Covered by this Task:
Unit / Criteria
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
reference
Compare the benefits and disadvantages of peer-to-peer network and client/server
M1
networks [IE3].

Sources of Indicative reading for learners

information to Cisco Academy – Routing and Switching (CCNA1) Networking Fundamentals Materials and Cisco
support you with this Press publications
Textbooks
Assignment
Dodd A Z – The Essential Guide to Telecommunications, 4th Edition (Prentice Hall, 2005) ISBN-10
0131487256, ISBN-13 978-0131487253
Hallberg B – Networking: A Beginner’s Guide, 5th Edition (Osborne/McGraw-Hill US, 2009) ISBN-10
0071633553, ISBN-13 978-0071633550
Lowe D – Networking All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies, 3rd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, 2008)
ISBN-10 0470179155, ISBN-13 978-0470179154
Schiller J – Mobile Communications, 2nd Edition (Addison Wesley, 2003) ISBN-10 0321123816, ISBN-13
978-0321123817

Websites
www.howstuffworks.com, www.webopedia.com

Other assessment eg, work sheets, risk assessments, case study

materials attached
to this Assignment
Brief

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FOR NQF LEVEL 2 ONLY: If you have not achieved the Level 2 criteria, your work will be assessed to determine if
the following Level 1 criteria have been met.
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to: Unit Criterion reference

Learner Declaration

I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own. I have clearly referenced any sources used in the
work. I understand that false declaration is a form of malpractice.

Learner signature: Date:

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