Module Code - Title:
EE6003
-
CONVERGED NETWORKS
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The growth of the industrial internet of things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 technologies have strengthened the industrial enterprises' need to monitor and control automated processes further driving IT/OT Convergence. IT/OT convergence is the integration of information technology (IT) systems with operational technology (OT) systems. This module will provide students with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to install to configure, maintain local or wide area networks for both IT and OT requirements. The module will provide students with a detailed understanding and appreciation of the many IT and OT networking and communication concepts, standards and protocols, providing a unified view of the field of computer communications and industrial networks.
Syllabus:
This module is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of IT and OT communication systems. It's impossible to understand the evolutions in manufacturing, industrial transformation and Industry 4.0 innovations in areas such as Industrial IoT without mentioning the convergence of IT and OT. Operational technology or OT is a category of computing and communication systems to manage, monitor and control industrial operations with a focus on the physical devices and processes they use. Advances in technologies such as the internet of things (IoT) and big data analytics are systematically allowing the digital transformation of many processes. When implemented properly, IT/OT convergence can merge business processes, insights and controls into a single uniform environment. The module will introduce the participants to IT/OT Data and Computer Communications tasks, and the relevant protocol elements and functions.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the different elements of IT/OT communication protocols used in converged networks, their implementations and applications.
2. Interpret and explain the impact of converged network systems.
3. Given requirements for computer networks, find correct solutions for internetworking / interoperability, including subnetting and supernetting, verification of addresses, and traffic filtering.
4. Given a simulated computer (inter)network topology, identify problems without reference to a source.
5. Explain concepts used in IT/OT Systems and associated architectures.
6. Discuss examples of IT/OT Systems use cases in real life situations.
7. Implement a solution that can provide visibility of both IT and OT assets.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Explain the architecture and technology involved in a telecommunication network. 2. Explain the architecture and technology involved in a manufacturing network.
3. Compare in detail the features of industrial control system (ICS) networks.
4. Examine the concept of TCP/IP networking transmission, switching & architecture.
5. Describe and understand the features of the TCP/IP protocol suite.
6. Describe a solution that can provide visibility of both IT and OT assets.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Load with software and configure layer 2 & 3 enterprise networking devices, i.e. switches and routers.
2. Build a physical enterprise level network; configured, connected, and troubleshoot any IP networking issues.
3. Build a simulated model of an IT/OT converged network and implement a software dashboard for monitoring purposes.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will be taught in a formal lecture setting complimented with laboratory
practical sessions.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
James F. Kurose
K. Ross (2021)
Computer Networking, 8th Edition
, Pearson
Other Relevant Texts:
W. Stallings (2018)
Data and Computer Communications 10th edition
, Pearson, Prentice-Hall
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BEECENUFA - ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
MECCSYTFA - COMPUTER AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
MEINSETFA - INFORMATION AND NETWORK SECURITY
PDIANSTPA - INFORMATION AND NETWORK SECURITY
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
eoin.oconnell@ul.ie