MASSEY UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF SCIENCES
Paper Number and Title:
159.354 Architecture & Networks
Points Value:
12.5
Semester:
2
Campus:
PN
Mode:
Internal
E-learning Category:
Web Enhanced
Paper Coordinator:
Paul Lyons (AH3.81, ph. 3505799 x 2472)
p.lyons@massey.ac.nz
http://www-ist.massey.ac.nz/plyons
Other Contributing Staff: Firas Al-Ali (AH3.89, ph 3505799 x 2477)
F.M.Al-Ali@Massey.ac.nz
http://www-ist.massey.ac.nz/fmalali
Aim
The aim of this paper is to give the student a thorough understanding of the design
and implementation issues of modern microprocessor and network architectures.
Students entering this course are expected to have a basic knowledge of computer
architecture, digital logic design, and data communications. The course takes a
detailed look at some specific architectures, but extracts principal issues as learning
outcomes.
Calendar Prescription
Structures and techniques used in computer architecture. Processor analysis and
design. Multi processors The layered approach to data communications. Introduction
to networking protocols including TCP/IP and the World Wide Web. Laboratory work
is an important part of this course.
Learning Outcomes
 Understand the multi-layer model of communications, in particular the ISO and
TCP/IP models
 Understand Local Area Networks, Wide Area Networks, and combining LANs
and WANs
 Understand the relationship between some applications and data communications
networks
 Understand how modern microprocessors work, including the two way interaction
between hardware and the software that runs on it;
 Understand the process of abstraction in the design and operation of a computer
system in order to manage the design of complex systems;
 Understand modern RISC Instruction Set Architecture and its implementation,
including the use of pipelining;
 Understand the basics of memory hierarchy of a microprocessor system, including
caching, virtual memory techniques;
159.354. Outline.05
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Pre- and Co-requisites
Prerequisite: 159.253 or 159.203
Restrictions
159.304, 159.306, 159.334
Assessment
Networks Lab
Assignment 1 (Firas)
Assignment 2 (Firas/Paul)
Terms Test 1 (Firas)
Terms Test 2 (Firas/Paul)
10%
10%
10%
35%
35%
100%
1 hour, held in normal lecture time
1 hour, held in normal lecture time
Deadlines and Penalties
Deadlines will be shown on the assignments and lab sheets. Penalties are 1 mark loss
for each day late, unless medical or other compelling circumstances, duly attested by a
competent authority, have occurred.
Requirements to Successfully Complete the Paper
To pass this paper, you must obtain
 an overall pass mark,
 a total mark of at least 35% for the assignments
 an overall mark of at least 35% for the terms tests
Learning Programme and Schedule
The following is an approximate schedule of lectures for each topic
Approx. no of lectures
Networks Topics
OSI
1
HDLC
2
Layer 3 (Network)
7
Layer 4 (Transport)
3
Layer 5 (Session)
1
Layer 6 (Presentation)
1
Layer 7 (Application)
2
ISDN/ATM
1
Architecture Topics
Abstraction and Technology
Instruction Set design
Arithmetic
Performance
ALU design
Data path & Control (Single Cycle)
Data path & Control (Multi Cycle)
Pipelining
Memory hierarchy
159.354. Outline.05
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3
1
1
2
3
2
3
2
( Chapter 1 )
( Chapter 2 & Appendix A)
( Chapter 3 )
( Chapter 4 )
(Appendix B)
( Chapter 5 & Appendix C )
( Chapter 5 & Appendix C )
( Chapter 6 )
( Chapter 7 )
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Conditions for Aegrotat Pass:
If you are prevented by illness, injury or a serious crisis from attending an
examination, or another compulsory assessment element that occurs at a fixed time
and place, you may apply for an aegrotat consideration. To qualify for an aegrotat
pass on the final examination, you must have attempted at least 40% of the total
formal assessment and your performance must be well above the minimum pass
standard, so that the examiners can be confident that you would have passed the paper
if you had completed the missing assessment. You must apply on the form available
from the Examinations Office, the Student Health Service or the Student Counselling
Service.
Conditions for Impaired Performance:
If you consider that your performance in, or preparation for, an examination, or
another compulsory assessment element that occurs at a fixed time and place, has
been seriously impaired by illness, injury or a serious crisis, you may apply for an
impaired performance consideration. You must apply on the form available from the
Examinations Office, the Student Health Service or the Student Counselling Service.
Student Time Budget
187.5 hours as follows:
Lectures
Tutorials
Architecture Labs
Network Labs
Assignments, Self study, and exam
preparation
36 hours
12 hours
06 hours
16 hours
117.5 hours
Textbooks and Other Recommended Reading
Patterson and Hennessy: Computer Organisation and Design: The
Hardware/Software Interface; 3rd Edition, Morgan Kaufmann; ISBN 1-55860-491-X.
Tanenbaum: Computer Networks; 4th Edition, Prentice Hall International; ISBN 0-13038488-7.
NB. Both books provide essential material to complement the lecture series. Other
books might be referenced during the course.
Timetable
Four lecture slots will be used per week (3 hours lectures + 1 hour tutorials + 3 hour
network labs).
Date & Time
Topic
Location
Monday 4 pm
Lecture 1
Aston 1
Tuesday 9 am
Lecture 2
SSLB7
Thursday 8 am
Lecture 3
SSLB7
Thursday 9 am
Tutorial
Aston 1
Additional Costs
Other supplementary handouts might be distributed during the course.
159.354. Outline.05
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Plagiarism:
Massey University, College of Sciences, has taken a firm stance on plagiarism and
any form of cheating. Plagiarism is the copying or paraphrasing of another person’s
work, whether published or unpublished, without clearly acknowledging it. It
includes copying the work of other students. Plagiarism will be penalised; it is likely
to lead to loss of marks for that item of assessment and may lead to an automatic
failing grade for the paper and/or exclusion from enrolment at the University.
Proposed Feedback and Support for Student Learning:
These are the processes by which students will be able to seek assistance. These will
consist of both formally organized feedback (e.g. comments on assignments,
seminars), and any less formal assistance given to the students. The feedback will
occur in a manner that aids the student’s learning process, and also that the assistance
is available in reasonable timeframes. The turnaround time for assignments will be no
more than three weeks from the due date. It is important to note that the specified
timeframe applies only to those assignments submitted by the due date, and does not
necessarily apply to those submitted late. Students may contact the course lecturers by
phone, by email or by appointment.
Grievance Procedures
A student who claims that he/she has sustained academic disadvantage as a result of
the actions of a University staff member should use the University Grievance
Procedures. Students, whenever practicable, should in the first instance approach the
University staff member concerned. If the grievance is unresolved with the staff
member concerned, the student should then contact the College of Sciences office on
his/her campus for further information on the procedures, or read the procedures in
the University Calendar.
Additional Information and Advice:
Informal Feedback and assistance may be sought from the appropriate lecturer by
email, telephone, or appointment.
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