Unit 8 Computer Systems Architecture
Unit 8 Computer Systems Architecture
Higher Nationals in
Computing
Assignment Brief 2
Number:
Higher National Certificate/Diploma in
Computing
Assignment Brief
Student Name/ID
Number
Unit Number and Title 8: Computer Systems Architecture
Academic Year
Unit Tutor
Assignment Title 2 – Network Design for Fire Department
Issue Date
Submission Date
IV Name & Date
Submission Format
The submission is in the form of two documents/files:
You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs, subsections and illustrations as
appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard
referencing system.
HNC/HND Computing 2
Unit Learning Outcomes
LO3 Use Network Communication technology and the associated services to connect computer
System
LO4 Demonstrate diagnostic and troubleshooting skills to solve hardware, software and
networking related issues
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Scenario
The Fire Department in Newtown has been restructured and is shortly opening a new headquarters
building. The headquarters will house all the communications and computer systems for the Fire
Department.
Newtown Fire Department covers an area of 70 square kilometres and has a Chief Fire Officer
who is responsible for firefighting, rescue operations and fire prevention in that area. The Chief
Fire Officer is assisted by three Watch Officers who also carry out senior duties and take
responsibility for the operational duties of the Fire Department when their watch is on duty. The
Fire Department has 3 watches and each is on duty for 8 hours per day.
Each watch is made up of 20 firefighters and there are 3 fire engines plus one car for the Watch
Officer.
All vehicles require two-way communications with the control centre. The control centre has three
Controllers on duty at any time who receive calls from the public, liaise with other emergency
services when required and maintain contact with firefighters when they are at an incident.
When fire engines are required for an emergency, the control centre sends details to a printer in
the fire engine bay to provide written details of the incident. This print-out is taken by the Watch
Officer as the watch leaves the building to attend the incident. The call centre also updates the
firefighting staff via two way voice communication.
HNC/HND Computing 3
The Fire Department also has ten civilian staff, responsible for schools liaison, press releases,
personnel functions, cleaning and general administration duties. The civilians are in a separate
office from the fire staff and their office includes the headquarters reception area.
Newtown Department is renewing all of its networks for the new headquarters including the
computer network, telephone communications and two-way communications with firefighters
when they are out in the department’s vehicles.
You are working as an Assistant Network Designer at Fire Department. Your manager has asked
you to design the network for the headquarters.
Part 1: Create a report to produce the necessary information to the senior management
regarding the new network implementation.
HNC/HND Computing 4
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
HNC/HND Computing 5
P8 Conduct and
document a range of
maintenance activities
with regards to computer
hardware and software.
HNC/HND Computing 6