Computing, Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity
Undergraduate Computing Suite
2017-2018
Recent Advances in Computer Networks (MCOMD3RAC)
Date: 26-Mar-2018
Assignment 2
Understanding Voice over IP (VoIP)
General guidelines for submission
This is an individual submission and must be your own work
The title page should have the following information:
Module code
Module name
Assignment number and title
Lecturer’s name
Student’s name
Submission date
You are required to use the originality checking feature available in Turnitin to help improve your academic report writing skill.
You are advised to perform the originality check at least 2 days before the hand-in date to give you sufficient time to benefit from the feedback you receive from Turnitin.
Learning outcomes tested by this assignment
Apply analytical techniques to carry out tests on the operational status of a data communication network;
Demonstrate an understanding that communication of voice and data over computer networks forms an integral part of the modern socio-economic structure;
Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing network infrastructure and the role of emerging technologies in alleviating some of them.
What you have to do
You must complete all tasks. Use appropriate illustrations where necessary to support your answers.
Task 1
Briefly explain what Voice over IP (VoIP) technology is and how it is implemented. Your explanation should concentrate on the major protocols used, and also how the voice signal is encoded. [20 marks]
Task 2
VoIP is becoming very popular among consumers, as well as small and medium enterprises. Explain two advantages of VoIP over older technology for these groups of users. [20 marks]
Task 3
This task will require use of a VoIP server; it is suggested that you use the one in If03 rather than trying to implement your own!
Set up Wireshark to monitor VoIP traffic on your workstation.
Use the VoIP client of your choice; Zoiper is probably the most familiar.
Initiate a VoIP call, either to another workstation or to one of the pre-defined extensions that provided recorded information (extension 123 is a speaking clock; extension 896 is an extended “you are in a queue” recording; extension 897 is “music on hold”). Terminate this call after a reasonable length of time (suitable enough to capture network activity via Wireshark).
Using the analysis capabilities of Wireshark, analyse the traffic data resulting from your test VoIP call; you may need several attempts to obtain the information you need.
Write a report indicating how the various network protocols become involved in a typical VoIP session, including call setup, progress and termination. You should cover the following areas:
Underlying transport
Address resolution (ARP)
Name resolution (DNS)
Session initiation and termination
Real-time data transfer
[50 marks]
Other marks
Marks will be given for quality of report presentation, bibliography, etc. [10 marks]
Deliverables
You are expected to produce a single report of a high professional standard. The target length of the report should be 2000 words; the length of your submission should not deviate markedly from this.
Any screen shots, tables, figures, charts, illustrations, etc. will not contribute towards the word count.
Your work must be adequately referenced throughout, using Harvard referencing style. Pears & Shields (2016) give a complete guide to Harvard referencing.
Assessment
You will be assessed on your ability to present clear explanations and precise descriptions. The work must show your understanding of the subject matter and be Harvard referenced throughout.
This report will be marked in accordance with the Level 6 Generic Assessment Criteria for Undergraduates available at:
http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/quality-and-standards-office/assessment-criteria.aspx
Some Useful References
Comer, D E (2014) Internetworking with TCP/IP (Sixth Edition), Pearson.
Hartpence, B (2013) Packet Guide to Voice over IP, O’Reilly.
Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2016) Cite them right: the essential referencing guide (Tenth Edition), Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-137-27311-6. Available at http://www.citethemrightonline.com (last accessed: 08 February 2018)
Tanenbaum, A. S. (2011) Computer Networks (Fifth Edition), Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0-13-212695-3.
Submission
Upload your single file deliverable onto Blackboard (Turnitin); a link will be provided in the same location where you downloaded this assignment.
Mark scheme
Component Mark
Explanation of VoIP and its implementation
20
Advantages of VoIP (2 x 10 marks)
20
Report
Underlying transport
10
Address resolution (ARP)
10
Name resolution (DNS)
10
Session initiation
10
Real-time data transfer
10
Quality of report, presentation, etc.
10 TOTAL 100
