Data communications and enterprise networking – Essay Help Services

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University of London
Computing and Information Systems
CO2222 Data communications and enterprise networking
Coursework assignment 2 2020–2021
This coursework assignment aims to develop your skills in researching a large network infrastructure application, assimilating the main requirements, and proposing a possible solution in the form of a feasibility report.
Please submit one pdf document, which is named using the following convention:
YourName_SRN_COxxxxcw#.pdf (e.g. GraceHopper_920000000_CO2222cw2.pdf)
• YourName is your full name as it appears on your student record (check your student portal)
• SRN is your Student Reference Number, for example 920000000
• COXXXX is the course number, for example CO2222, and
• cw# is either cw1 (coursework 1) or cw2 (coursework 2).
It is important that your submitted coursework assignment is your own individual work and, for the most part, written in your own words. You must provide appropriate in-text citation for both paraphrase and quotation, with a detailed reference section at the end of your assignment (this should not be included in the word count). Copying, plagiarism, unaccredited and/or wholesale reproduction of material from books or from any online source is unacceptable, and will be penalised (see: how to avoid plagiarism).
Objectives
• To be able to research a topical network application.
• To be able to perform a requirements analysis on the necessary technology.
• To be able to identify and evaluate potential solutions.
• To be able to present the findings in the form of a concise report.
Introduction
Air pollution is a major concern around the world and governments are introducing a series of measures to reduce levels. Emissions from private motor vehicles are seen as one significant factor and a switch from petrol engines to electric power is underway with ambitious targets being set by governments. For example, the UK Government has recently committed to phasing out the sale of all new petrol vehicles by 2030.
This however presents a problem in respect of loss of tax revenue on the sale of petrol which has been estimated as £40bn by 2030 for the UK. Governments are hence looking at schemes whereby taxation is switched to distance travelled to make up such shortfalls. Such schemes are not new, and many countries operate toll roads and a number of cities around the world have either introduced congestion charging systems
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or are considering to do so.
A number of different technologies can be employed, for example, in Singapore wireless transponders are fitted to vehicles that are preloaded with payment that is debited as they pass under a gantry. In London, cameras and electronic number plate recognition is used to identify vehicles and drivers must login to make payment before the end of the day.
In computer network terms, the system in Singapore is an example of a distributed client/server network whereas that in London is a centralised server-based architecture. A useful overview of a number of current congestion charging systems can be found at:
www.theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/congestion_apr10.pdf
Alongside environmental concerns, there are growing issues around the collection and use of personal data. This is clearly a potentially serious matter for a system that is specifically designed to track vehicles, and hence individuals, and will also need to be given proper consideration.
The problem
You have been commissioned by your Government to propose a system for your country that is suitable for use in both cities and less densely populated urban areas. Produce an overall design which addresses, as a minimum, the following points:
a) whether a client- or server-based architecture should be adopted
b) the underlying interconnection network needed to support the application
c) details of any new infrastructure requirements and its communications needs
d) security, authentication and privacy issues
e) an example of the processes and operations involved in a typical transaction (e.g. how a moving vehicle is identified, how the distance travelled is calculated and how payment is made).
Your design should as far as possible make use of existing technologies and infrastructures in order to produce a solution that is both cost effective and user friendly.
Your report is intended for Government ministers and is, therefore, not expected to include ‘textbook’ type details of network operation and protocols. What it should include are reasoned justifications of why certain options have been selected and others rejected, and how they contribute to the overall design.
Deliverables and marking
This is an individual assignment. You are required to produce a feasibility study in the form of a word processed report of approx. 6–10 pages in length, submitted in .pdf format. Marks will be awarded for technical content, feasibility and appropriateness of the design, originality and standard of presentation of the report.
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Your report should contain the following section headings and numbering scheme:
Section No Heading Contents Marks
1
Introduction
Set the scene for the report.
5 marks
2
Requirements Analysis
Summary of the main features of the system needed to support the required functionality.
30 marks
3
Recommended Architecture
Details of the proposed network architecture and monitoring technology, including diagrams to illustrate as necessary.
30 marks
4
Security, Authentication and Privacy
A summary of the main issues and how the proposed architecture addresses them.
15 marks
5
Typical Transaction
Brief description of the various processes involved in a typical transaction, with particular emphasis on the network requirements.
15 marks
6
Conclusions
Summary of the main benefits of the main findings and recommendations.
5 marks
Total
100 marks
[END OF COURSEWORK ASSIGNMENT 2]