Unit information: Networked Systems and Applications in 2020/21

Unit name	Networked Systems and Applications
Unit code	EENGM0009
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. George Oikonomou
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	EENG30002 - Networking Protocol Principles (3) Or EENGM0007 - Networking Protocol Principles (M) Or, for students on Continental Europe or Study Abroad Programmes other pre-requisites may be considered. Please liaise with Unit Organiser directly to discuss what might be acceptable.
Co-requisites	none
School/department	School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This unit aims to introduce students to the fundamental design principles of modern networked applications. This is achieved through a study of a number of distributed systems, ranging from classic web-based applications, to machine-to-machine communications, telemetry and the Internet of Things. The unit discusses how different applications have different requirements, for instance regarding performance, scalability and reliability. Through examples of application and transport layer protocols used in today’s internet, the unit provides insight into a range of system architectures and communication paradigms and highlights how different design choices can have an impact on the extent to which an application’s requirements can be met.

Intended Learning Outcomes

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

1. Identify and describe key performance indicators for contemporary computer networks and distributed applications. Formulate performance requirements for different classes of networked applications.
2. Describe the main functions performed by the transport layer of the TCP/IP layered model. Describe and compare the various transport layer protocols used in contemporary networks.
3. Discuss and compare different distributed application architectures. Compare and critically analyse their key characteristics.
4. List, describe and compare distributed application interaction models.
5. Compare protocols in terms of their ability to support i) different interaction models and ii) the requirements of different distributed applications.
6. Select suitable protocols and apply them as part of the design of a distributed application. Justify protocol selection and discuss advantages and disadvantages.
7. Underline protocol design challenges for networks of severely constrained wireless embedded devices and the Internet of Things. Describe, compare and evaluate protocols used in contemporary IoT networks.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.

Assessment Information

Formative: Online Test 1

Summative: Timed Assessment (May/June) (100%)

Reading and References

Distributed Systems: Concepts and Design, 5/E, Coulouris, Dollimore, Kindberg & Blair, Addison-Wesley, ISBN-10: 0132143011

Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 7th Edition, Kurose & Ross, Pearson, ISBN-13: 978-0133594140