BTEC Levels 4 Unit 2 Networking (M/618/7393) Assessment Example 2026

Unit 2 Networking Assessment Example 2026

Introduction

Computer networks are the driving force behind the evolution of computer systems and allow users to access data, hardware, and services regardless of their location. Being knowledgeable about the underlying principles of networking is of vital importance to all IT professionals. Networking is an environment that is increasingly complex and under continuous development.

Complex computer networking has connected the world by groups of small networks through internet links to support global communications. It supports access to digital information any time, anywhere, using many applications like email, audio and video transmission, including the World Wide Web, and this has opened the floodgates to availability of information.

The aim of this unit is to give students a wider background knowledge of computer networking essentials, how they operate, protocols, standards, security considerations and the prototypes associated with a range of networking technologies. Students will explore a range of hardware, with related software, and will configure and install these to gain knowledge of networking systems. A range of networking technologies will be explored to deliver a fundamental knowledge of Local Area Networking (LAN), Wide Area Networking (WAN) and their evolution to form large-scale networks.

Students will also explore the protocol methodologies related to IP data networks.

On successful completion of this unit, students will have gained the knowledge and skills needed to successfully install, operate and troubleshoot a small network; and the operation of IP data networks, router, switching technologies, IP routing

technologies, IP services and basic troubleshooting. Supporting a range of units in the Higher National suite, this unit underpins the principles of networks for all and enables students to work towards their studies in vendor units, if applicable. Students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit students will be able to:

LO1            Examine networking principles and their protocols

LO2           Explain networking devices and operations

LO3          Design efficient networked systems

LO4            Implement and diagnose networked systems.

Essential Content

LO1 Examine networking principles and their protocols

Introduction to networks:

Impact of networks on daily lives, the basic requirements of a reliable network, employment opportunities in the networking field, network common network attacks, network trends, e.g. bring your own device (BYOD).

Role of networks:

Purpose, benefits, resource implications, communications, e.g. transmission mediums, working practice, commercial opportunity, information sharing, collaboration.

System types:

Peer-based, client-server, cloud, cluster, centralised, virtualised.

Networking standards:

Conceptual models, e.g. OSI model, TCP/IP model; standards, e.g. IEEE 802.x.

Topology:

Network representation logical, e.g. ethernet, Token Ring; physical, e.g. star, ring, bus, mesh, tree.

Protocols:

Purpose of protocols; adherence, routed protocols, e.g. IPv4 (addressing, subnetting, VLSM), IPv6 (addressing); global unicast, multicast, link local, unique local, EUI 64, auto configuration, ICMP, FTP, HTTP, SMTP, POP3, SSL; management of protocols for addressing.

Wireless networks:

Explore the use and evolution and industry developments in mobile/cellular networks, including key technologies; standards for communications (3G, 4G, 5G); process of accessing and connecting to NB-IoT, GPRS and Wi-Fi networks.

Distinguish between NB-IoT and Wi-Fi AT command sets.

LO2 Explain networking devices and operations

Networking devices:

Explain the operation of server, hub, routers, switches, multilayer switch

(including their operating systems, e.g. CISCO IOS, etc.), firewall, Host-based

Intrusion System (HIDS), repeaters, bridges, wireless devices, access point (wireless/wired), content filter, load balancer, modem, packet shaper, VPN concentrator.

Explore the basic concepts, features and key technologies of IoT gateways, including IoT gateway solutions, industrial IoT gateway positioning, edge computing, network topologies, RF mesh, Smart Home networks, acceleration, Wi-Fi coverage and intelligent services and serial data transmission (binary data).

Networking software:

Client software, server software, client operating system, server operating system, firewall.

Server type:

Web, file, database, combination, virtualisation, terminal services server.

Server selection:

Cost, purpose, operating system requirement.

Workstation:

Hardware, e.g. network card, cabling.

System bus and local-system architecture, e.g. memory, processor, I/O devices.

Permissions.

LO3 Design efficient networked systems

Bandwidth:

Expected average load, anticipated peak load, local internet availability, cost constraints, throughput.

Users:

Quality expectations, concept of system growth.

Consider what the network will be used for (purpose) according to the scenario.

Networking services and applications:

DHCP, including static vs dynamic IP addressing, reservations, scopes, leases, options (DNS servers, Suffixes), IP helper, DHCP relay, DNS records, Dynamic DNS, static and dynamic routing between multiple subnets.

Calculate IP subnet address ranges in dotted decimal and binary.

Calculate subnet masks.

Communications:

Ensuring communications are suited to devices, suited to users, supportive of lifestyle desires, supportive of commercial requirements, security requirements, quality of service needs.

Scalability:

Ability to support device growth, able to support addition of communication devices, able to cope with bandwidth use and trend changes, protocol utilisation, addressing, multiple subnets, dynamic, static routing protocols.

Selection of components:

Supporting infrastructure needs; supporting connectivity requirements.

Security:

The concept of ‘secure by design’ and its application to infrastructure.

Security considerations when designing a network for an identified scenario, e.g. shared data, network access, remote workers, public facing systems, internal policy.

LO4 Implement and diagnose networked systems

Devices:

Installation of communication devices, allocation of addresses, local client configuration, server configuration, server installation, security considerations.

Verification of configuration and connectivity:

Installation of internet work communication medium, ping, extended ping, traceroute, telnet, SSH.

Evidence the system meets design requirements, including security controls as required by the scenario, have been implemented.

System monitoring:

Utilisation, bandwidth needs, monitoring user productivity and security of the system. Factors affecting network performance.

Identify typical failure modes in protocols and approaches to error control.

Review network monitoring data to optimise performance and undertake root cause analysis of events and make recommendations to reduce false positives and false negatives.

Network automation:

Process of setting up software to automatically manage, configure, test, deploy, and operate network devices (physical or virtual).

Maintenance schedule:

Backups, upgrades, security, auditing.

Diagnose and resolve layer 1 problems:

Explore the E2E integrated development and testing process.

Framing, CRC, runts, giants, dropped packets, late collisions, input/output errors.

Policy review:

Bandwidth, resource availability.

Service level agreements (SLAs):

Conditions of service availability, time window for each level of service (prime time and non-prime time), responsibilities of each party, escalation procedures, and cost/service trade-offs.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Recommended Resources

Textbooks

Burgess, M. (2003) Principles of Network and System Administration. 2nd edn. John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

Donahue, G. A. (2011) Network Warrior 2nd edn. O’Reilly Media.

Goransson, P. Black, C. et al (2016) Software Defined Networks: A Comprehensive Approach 2nd edn. Morgan Kaufmann.

Hallberg, B. (2005) Networking: A Beginner’s Guide. 4th edn. Osborne/McGraw-Hill US.

Limoncelli, T. and Hogan, C. (2001) The Practice of System and Network Administration. Addison-Wesley.

Lowe, D. (2005) Networking All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies. 2nd edn. Hungry Minds Inc.

Olifer, N. and Olifer, V. (2005) Computer Networks: Principles, Technologies and Protocols for Network Design. John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

Stallings, W. (2003) Data and Computer Communications. 7th edn. (Prentice Hall).

Tanenbaum, A. (2002) Computer Networks. Prentice Hall PTR.

Links

This unit links to the following related units:

Unit 9: Computer Systems Architecture 

Unit 27: Transport Network Design 

Unit 29: Network Security

Unit 39: Network Management

Unit 40: Client/Server Computing Systems.

Answer

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