7COM1076 Network Design, Modelling and Evaluation Coursework

University:
University of Hertfordshire
Subject:
7COM1076
Module:
7COM1076
Assignment Type:
MS Technical and scientific writing
Word Count:
4,000 words
Academic Year:
2025-2026

Assignment Overview

This 7COM1076 coursework requires students to design, model, emulate, test and evaluate networking environments for a new department building at the University of Hertfordshire. The assessment combines practical network modelling with theoretical analysis and evaluation, covering wireless and mobile networking, cloud networking, Software Defined Networking (SDN), network applications and contemporary networking technologies. The assignment is designed to develop practical knowledge through Python-based network emulation and critical understanding through academic research. Task 1 focuses on wireless and mobile networking. Students must use Python to emulate a building containing three WiFi access points and two user stations, identified as UE1 and UE2. The access points are connected using a physical linear topology, while the stations use Class C private IP addresses. The task requires configuration of SSIDs, passwords, channels, ranges and coordinates, with WPA2 encryption and standalone fail mode. The stations must also be configured with mobility, following specified movement sequences and speed ranges. Students must discuss the design and implementation, complete the configuration and mobility tables, provide the Python script used with the Mininet API, and include screenshots demonstrating mobility, access-point association and successful ping connectivity. Task 2 examines cloud services using Mininet and Render.com. Students must emulate a network containing three switches and two hosts and deploy a simple static website using Render.com. Host H1 must access the deployed webpage through the xterm environment. Deliverables include a discussion of the design and implementation, the Python script, evidence of configuring Render.com with the GitHub repository, commands used to connect H1 to the internet and access the webpage, screenshots of the webpage through xterm, and the HTML code of the website. Task 3 focuses on Software Defined Networking and connectivity. Students must emulate an environment containing ten hosts and three servers using a linear topology, with an ONOS controller enabled for control-plane programmability. The task requires configuration of assigned IP and MAC addresses, demonstration of connectivity between hosts and servers, and a UDP transmission using a duration of 600 seconds and bandwidth of 100 Mbps. Students must provide a design discussion, Python emulation script, ONOS GUI screenshot, full ping connectivity evidence and the required UDP transmission results. Task 4 is the analysis and evaluation component. Students must critically discuss three contemporary networking issues using academic sources. These include the challenges faced by a small-to-medium organisation providing services to the UK National Health Service when migrating from on-premises infrastructure to cloud computing; the opportunities and challenges of incorporating Software Defined Networking into future optical networks; and whether WiFi and 5G should coexist to provide ubiquitous services to users. The final report must use 12-point font, normal margins and Harvard referencing in accordance with University of Hertfordshire guidelines. The required report length is 4,000 words with a permitted variation of plus or minus 10%, excluding the title page, contents page, references and appendix, with a maximum page limit of 25 pages. The recommended structure includes an introduction, discussions and results for Tasks 1–3, the three Task 4 analysis sections, conclusion, references and an appendix containing the Task 1, Task 2 and Task 3 code. The assessment covers wireless and mobile networking, cloud and SDN networking, network applications, analysis and evaluation, MCQ tests and overall report quality. The marking allocation includes WiFi networking, mobility and ICMP, cloud configuration, SDN networking, cloud web page, UDP, three analysis sections, two MCQ tests and quality of the report.

Megaminds Experience

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