An Overview and the Aims of Data Communications 2

Overview:

Here is an overview of the Data Communications study area within the Certification Programme of the Australian Computer Society. The study area is made up of two subjects: Data Communications 1 (DC 1) and Data Communications 2 (Telecommunications Applications) (DC2). Details of the Certification Programme can be found in various publications of the ACS.

DC1 provides an introduction to the concepts of data communications, telecommunications and networking - and covers technical fundamentals as well as the business applications and implications. The subject offers participants an understanding of how computers communicate, more complex network communication, the types of networks available and the principles of network hierarchies and protocols. This is an essentially technical subject, although material is presented from a corporate perspective wherever Possible.

DC2 takes a more organisational view of communications, providing an introduction to the emerging global telecommunications network and the changes to business and society which this network is enabling, together with an understanding of the technological infrastructure needed to support the global network. This subject also discusses the major issues faced by network controllers and managers (such as network management and security) and will assist students to gain awareness of the strategic business applications being created to take advantage of these technological alternatives.

Aims:

The aim of the Data Communications Study Area is to introduce students to this increasingly important aspect of computing and to provide a foundation upon which the successful participant can:

• build a career in data/telecommunications practice;
• gain sufficient understanding of the area to manage data/ telecommunications specialists.

Data Communications 2 aims to provide students with the knowledge understanding and values needed by a computing professional with a career in data communications. A study of Data Communications 2 will provide students with:

• an understanding of the opportunities and threats presented by the global information marketplace;
• a deeper knowledge of some technical features of the Internet, especially issues significant for the operation of services on the Internet;
• a knowledge of network security;
• a knowledge of network management;
• an appreciation of the role of global networks in support of strategic organisational goals;
• an appreciation of the issues involved in the strategic management of global networks;
• a framework for making the ethical and value judgements required of operators of global network services.