Aim:

A library research and industry related project is to be carried out on a topic of your choice.  The project topic must be related to Data Communications and Networking. You need to discuss your choice of project for suitability.  A small network with a few computers is not accepted. Example of accepted projects are: VoIP network (including problems and solutions),  a medium to big size organisations’ networks, Giga-bit Ethernet networks, third generation mobile phones’ networks, Wireless networks, ATM networks, GPS network,  etc. 

Do some research before choosing your project (feasibility study) to ensure you have the necessary resources.At least one or more industry contacts are to be made and details to be reported.  The more comprehensive and the better quality of your project, the better will be your grade. 

Deliverables:

The project report must be professionally prepared (not hand written) with one and a half spacing, font size 11 or 12.  No part of the project report can be copied unless references is provided. It must be your own work. When using other people’s work (such as companies’ network diagrams, diagrams from Internet, etc.), references must be provided and there must not be any un-acknowledged ‘cut and paste’.   You may include some companies’ product catalogues  in Appendices.  These product details can be printed from Internet citing the references.  You do not have to type these yourself. 

The project must therefore include a list of references (including web sites if appropriate).  It must meet the Faculty of Business “Guidelines for writing assessment items”.  

It is expected that the project report size to be approximately 30-40 pages, although there is no limit on the size of the report.It would be good if you provide a brief 1-2 page summary (including network diagrams) to participants, providing a summary of your presentation. 

Please provide the following with your report:

• Title page, one page summary, table of contents, introduction (background), technical details (including network diagrams, bandwidth, product details, link details, size, etc.), theory details of the network (protocols, etc.), discussions (analysis, why?, how?, future?, comparisons, other options for the networks, future plans of the company, etc),  and references.
• Number of times group meeting were held and who attended these (in Appendix).
• Hours spent on different aspects of the project (in Appendix).
• How responsibilities were split between the group members (in Appendix). 

A soft copy (in Microsoft Word format) must be submitted