Where evidence of Packet Tracer simulation is required, this must be included in the

form of screenshots with a clear explanation.

Assessment and Grading Criteria
Title Report on the given scenario, utilizing
Data Communications paradigms.

Task details From the given scenario (given below in the appendix
summary section), you will be required to propose solutions to the
given requirements, with recommendations.
You will submit a report (word or pdf format).
The report should not be more than 12 pages, excluding
references. It should be presented with the title page in 16-
point bold font, headings of 14- point bold font, and the main
body with 12- point font.
Please use the font ‘Times new Roman’ throughout the
report. Please adhere to the following basic structure:

❖ Title, Author Information

❖ Abstract
❖ Introduction
❖ Main body
❖ Conclusion
❖ References

Where Packet Tracer simulation is required, screenshots

to illustrate the topology and end-to-end connectivity
must be provided.

Criteria Issues Mark Marking

breakdo
(100 wn
marks) where
appropriate

Analysis of ❖ Clear understanding and 10

the given analysis of the problem/task.
problem
(10 marks)

Solution ❖ Understanding of key 10

network and data
(60 marks) communication principles.

❖ Correct networking
standards and 10
conventions.

❖ Understanding of the role 10

of network services,
protocols,
 devices, and network
architecture.

❖ Familiarity with basic 10

mathematics and statistics to
some network and data
communication scenarios. 10
❖ Understanding of
client/server application.

❖ Meets all required 10

functionalities

Documentati ❖ Documentation is easy to 30

on (30 read with academic rigor,
and credible references.
marks)

Grade descriptors

In addition to the assessment criteria above the following table may assist you in understanding how we arrive
at your final mark. Indeed your final mark should agree with the following grade descriptors, but note that the
assessment criteria are the main means of assessment.

Mark Descriptor

0-39% Limited conceptual understanding with possible structural deficiencies. Restricted use of theory
within the module. Inappropriate argument leading to unreliable and invalid
conclusions/recommendations
 40-49% Some confusion in purpose & aims of evaluation. Some overall structure and conceptual
understanding. Fair use of theory but arguments sometimes irrelevant, illogical or with
unsupported assertions.

50-59% Demonstrates a limited but accurate level of understanding presented in a mostly descriptive
manner. The answer contains relevant interpretation and critical understanding especially at the
upper end of the marking range.

60-69% Demonstrates accurate knowledge and understanding of the subject presented in a coherent
manner. The answer contains evidence of application and interpretation. At the upper end there is
evidence of thoughtful and measured critical evaluation.

70-79% Demonstrates a clear, comprehensively researched understanding of relevant material with some
element of critical evaluation. Shows initiative in approach and rigor in the handling of information.
Demonstrates originality of thought together with interpretation and application to the relevant
sector

80% or The answer is analytical and critical. The assignment demonstrates scholarship through a depth
above of insight and understanding of relevant material, which is logically structured, accurate and well
referenced. Originality of thought and application is evident.

Appendix

Task:
A newly established ACME Corporation has recently acquired offices in the UK,
India, and the US. The number of employees in each office is 300, 200, and 100,
respectively. The network resources are scarce; therefore, the network design
should be as such that they are used efficiently (Hint: Subnetting required)
Each branch office has three departments i.e. IT, HR and Finance. These three
departments should have different broadcast domains, and departments should
communicate with each other (Hint: Inter-VLAN configuration required). The
company is in the process of setting up its communication and network
infrastructure, computers, servers, databases, e-mail, and file sharing facilities.
The company requires sharing of technology resources across all offices. The
company needs to operate in a very secure environment (Hint: Recommend
security measures). Their workforce is also using mobile devices to conduct
their “Business as Usual” (BAU) activities.
As a Network Administrator, you are assigned the responsibility of connecting
different offices using networking paradigms (Hint: Routing protocols required).
A topology diagram must be created using the Packet Tracer tool. Evidence of
successful end-to-end connectivity must be provided and a report on your
selection of technologies must be produced. The devices and protocols you
chose to set up the scenario mentioned above must be clearly documented in the
report, including the rationale behind choosing them. Optional: You can also
provide budgeting.
Furthermore, the company has asked you to recommend cloud-based services
(e.g. Email, File share, IIS etc.) using AWS. You are not required to set up
servers on AWS but provide recommendations in your report. You are required to
compare your selection with other available options, their advantages and
disadvantages and give an in-depth analysis of what you have proposed.
Based on the given scenario above, what recommendations will you suggest to
ACME Corporation for such implementation? Necessary assumptions can be
taken to justify your solutions.
Consider the following points when completing this assignment:
❖ Evaluate and explain the operating principles of commonly used networking
devices, their characteristics and performance. Define networking
standards and communication with OSI Model
❖ Propose and justify a network infrastructure solution for the given scenario
❖ Use routing algorithms to connect network nodes
❖ Evaluate and explain choices for hardware and software such as cloud
based servers.
❖ Discuss security recommendations as ACME corporation is extremely
particular about security implications.
❖ Provide credible references from books, journal articles, conference papers,
technical articles and vendor websites (e.g. cisco). Please do not use
Wikipedia and other blogging websites (e.g. Quora). Where the information
is taken from a source, in-text citation must be provided. Do not copy and
paste and write in your own words to avoid plagiarism.