Term 3 Week 10 - Week 1

High Value Domestic Network Design

Select a real property, build the UniFi design, explain topology and submit the final Task 8 package.

Learning Goals

  • Select and cite a suitable realestate.com.au floorplan.
  • Analyse the property requirements.
  • Build UniFi Design Center evidence.
  • Explain topology, hardware and media choices.
  • Explain protocols, security, segmentation and malware risks.
  • Submit a complete final evidence package.

3-Lesson Sequence

1

Select the property, analyse requirements and start the UniFi core build.

2

Complete UniFi coverage evidence and explain topology, hardware and media.

3

Complete protocols, security, malware response, final checks and LMS submission.

Detailed Lesson Pathway

Lesson 1

Property, Requirements And Core Build

Choose a suitable property, identify requirements and create the first UniFi core layout.

  1. Find a realestate.com.au listing with a clear floorplan.
  2. Record title, suburb, URL and date accessed.
  3. Read the floorplan like a client brief before placing devices.
  4. Highlight rooms where people work, study, stream, game or entertain.
  5. Circle possible fixed device locations such as office desk, theatre, gaming area, TV, printer, NAS, cameras or doorbell.
  6. List wireless/mobile device locations such as bedrooms, living areas, outdoor entertaining and guest spaces.
  7. Identify privacy or security risks such as home office files, cameras, smart locks, guest devices and IoT devices.
  8. Write requirements, risks and assumptions.
  9. Open UniFi Design Center, create the project and import or recreate the floorplan.
  10. Set scale or state a scale assumption.
  11. Label the Internet/WAN or ISP entry point.
  12. Place the modem/ONT, gateway/router/firewall and switch or PoE switch in a sensible network core location.

Curriculum Links

  • Network requirements for a specific scenario.
  • LAN, WAN and PAN selection in context.
  • Privacy, security and transmission-media constraints.
  • Router, switch, firewall and modem/ONT roles.

Evidence: Property source record, requirements table and draft UniFi core screenshot.

Lesson 2

Coverage, Topology And Media

Complete UniFi placement evidence and explain how the network connects.

  1. Place ethernet/PoE links from the switch to access points and fixed high-demand devices.
  2. Place access points to solve coverage needs in bedrooms, study, living/media areas and outdoor areas.
  3. Run the heatmap/coverage view and move APs if obvious weak areas remain.
  4. Capture coverage and placement screenshots.
  5. Write the WAN to LAN topology order.
  6. Identify LAN, WAN and any PAN use.
  7. Explain star topology.
  8. Explain each hardware item with this sentence pattern: This is a ____; it is used because ____.
  9. For each ethernet link, explain why wired is better than wireless for that device.
  10. For each wireless area, explain why mobile or guest access needs Wi-Fi.
  11. Check that every item in the UniFi design appears in the topology or hardware table.
  12. Explain client-server or peer-to-peer use.

Curriculum Links

  • Router, switch, firewall, modem/ONT, wireless access point and NIC roles.
  • PAN, LAN and WAN diagrammatic representation.
  • Star topology and network diagram conventions.
  • Ethernet, twisted pair and wireless transmission media.
  • Client-server and peer-to-peer network technologies.
  • Transmission media selection for a specific purpose.

Evidence: UniFi placement/coverage evidence, topology section and hardware/media recommendation table.

Lesson 3

Security, Final Justification And Submission

Complete communication, protection and final submission evidence.

  1. Explain SMTP, IMAP and POP3.
  2. Recommend authentication and encryption.
  3. Recommend firewall rules or network separation.
  4. Explain guest, IoT, camera or home office segmentation.
  5. Identify malware risks and responses.
  6. Use one sentence per security decision: This protects ____ from ____ by ____.
  7. Check that security recommendations match the selected home, not a generic office network.
  8. Draft the final justification.
  9. Check the source record.
  10. Check UniFi screenshots are readable.
  11. Check topology and written response match.
  12. Check every placed item has a reason.
  13. Check every reason is linked to the property, user, device, risk or syllabus term.
  14. Check limitations are stated.
  15. Name files correctly.
  16. Submit through the LMS.

Curriculum Links

  • POP3, IMAP and SMTP.
  • Authentication, encryption and firewalls.
  • Viruses, worms, trojans and spyware.
  • Technical communication using network terminology.
  • Evidence-based justification of a computer-based solution.

Evidence: Protocol/security/malware response, final justification and confirmed LMS submission.

Network Build Help: What To Place And Why

Build the network in this order. Each item needs a location, a reason and evidence that links back to the assessment requirements.

1

Internet/WAN entry

What it is: The outside network connection from the internet service provider into the property.

Where to place it: Mark the likely entry point at the garage, external wall, utility cupboard or communications cupboard. If the listing does not show it, label it as an assumption.

Why it belongs: Students need to show that the home LAN connects to a wider network. This stops the design becoming a random set of Wi-Fi icons.

Curriculum link: WAN, LAN/WAN diagram conventions, transmission media.

Evidence: A label such as Internet/WAN or ISP entry on the topology or UniFi evidence, plus one limitation if the entry point is assumed.

2

Modem or ONT

What it is: The device that connects the home to the provider service, such as fibre, NBN or another internet service.

Where to place it: Place it close to the WAN entry point, usually in the network cabinet, garage or utility area.

Why it belongs: It shows the connection between the external provider network and the home network.

Curriculum link: Network hardware: modem; transmission media: fibre optic, twisted pair, wireless/cellular/satellite where justified.

Evidence: A labelled modem/ONT in the topology or device list.

3

Gateway/router and firewall function

What it is: The gateway/router directs traffic between the home LAN and the WAN. The firewall function filters allowed and blocked traffic.

Where to place it: Place it after the modem/ONT and before the switch in the logical topology. It can be physically located with the network core.

Why it belongs: It explains how traffic leaves the home network and how the design protects traffic entering or moving between networks.

Curriculum link: Router, firewall, authentication, encryption, internet security.

Evidence: Topology path showing modem/ONT -> gateway/router/firewall -> switch, with a written security reason.

4

Switch or PoE switch

What it is: The central wired LAN device that connects ethernet devices. A PoE switch can also power access points or cameras through ethernet.

Where to place it: Place it in the network core, such as a garage cabinet, study cupboard or communications cupboard.

Why it belongs: It forms the centre of the domestic star topology and supports reliable wired links to access points and fixed devices.

Curriculum link: Switch, star topology, ethernet, twisted pair, network diagram conventions for LAN.

Evidence: A labelled switch/PoE switch with branches to APs and fixed devices.

5

Ethernet cable runs

What it is: Twisted pair wired connections from the switch to fixed devices and access points.

Where to place it: Show or describe runs to access points, office desk, media/gaming spaces, cameras, NAS, printer or other fixed high-demand devices.

Why it belongs: Wired links are more reliable than wireless for fixed or high-demand devices and make AP coverage stronger because APs have wired backhaul.

Curriculum link: Ethernet, twisted pair transmission media, digital communication.

Evidence: Labels such as ethernet or PoE in the topology, or a hardware/media table explaining wired choices.

6

Wireless access points

What it is: Devices that provide Wi-Fi access to the wired LAN.

Where to place it: Place them near the centre of coverage zones such as bedrooms, study, living area, theatre and outdoor entertaining spaces. Avoid hiding all APs in one corner.

Why it belongs: The placement should solve a coverage problem shown by the floorplan and UniFi heatmap.

Curriculum link: Wireless access point, LAN, wireless transmission media, network design evidence.

Evidence: UniFi device-placement screenshot and coverage/heatmap screenshot.

7

Wired fixed devices

What it is: Stationary devices that benefit from reliable ethernet, such as a home office dock, smart TV, gaming console, NAS, printer or camera.

Where to place it: Place them in the rooms where they would realistically be used: study, theatre, media room, garage, entry points or outdoor areas for cameras.

Why it belongs: This shows students can choose suitable hardware and media for a specific purpose rather than using Wi-Fi for everything.

Curriculum link: NIC, ethernet, client devices, transmission media selection.

Evidence: Device list or topology branches showing wired devices and one sentence explaining why wired is suitable.

8

Wireless networks or SSIDs

What it is: Named wireless network groups such as family/private, guest, IoT, camera or home office.

Where to place it: Represent them in the written topology or security section. UniFi may also show separate networks if the tool allows.

Why it belongs: Separate networks reduce risk by stopping guests or less trusted smart devices from reaching private devices.

Curriculum link: Authentication, encryption, firewall controls, privacy and internet security.

Evidence: A segmentation table or explanation naming each group and what it can or cannot access.

9

Optional bridge, mesh, cellular backup or satellite

What it is: Extra connectivity used only when cabling or fixed internet is not suitable.

Where to place it: Use only where the selected property creates a real need, such as a detached studio, long outdoor area, rural location or high availability requirement.

Why it belongs: Students should show judgement. Premium does not mean adding every device; it means selecting the right option for the scenario.

Curriculum link: Bridge, wireless, cellular, satellite and media selection.

Evidence: A short justification explaining why the optional link is needed and what limitation it solves.

Student Checklist

  • I have selected a suitable realestate.com.au listing with a clear floorplan.
  • I have recorded the listing source, suburb, URL and date accessed.
  • I can identify rooms/zones that affect network design.
  • I can distinguish LAN, WAN and PAN in the selected property.
  • I can explain why a star topology suits the domestic LAN.
  • I can explain the function of modem/ONT, gateway/router, firewall, switch, WAP and NIC.
  • I can choose wired ethernet for fixed high-demand devices and wireless for mobile devices.
  • I can use UniFi Design Center to place access points and show coverage evidence.
  • I can explain SMTP, IMAP and POP3.
  • I can recommend authentication, encryption, firewall rules and network separation.
  • I can identify viruses, worms, trojans and spyware and suggest responses.
  • I can state assumptions or limitations about scale, walls or heatmap accuracy.
  • I can export and submit my evidence using the required naming pattern.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Submitting a floorplan only

Add UniFi device placement, coverage evidence and topology explanation.

APs placed without reasons

Link AP placement to rooms, walls, distance, outdoor areas or weak coverage.

No logical topology

Show WAN -> modem/ONT -> gateway/router/firewall -> switch -> APs and wired devices.

No network separation

Explain guest, IoT, camera, family or home office separation where suitable.

Generic justification

Refer to the selected property, floorplan and UniFi evidence.

No limitations

State heatmap, wall material or scale assumptions honestly.

Useful Guides This Week

Select The Property

Choose a realestate.com.au floorplan that gives enough design complexity.

Build In UniFi Design Center

Use UniFi Design Center to create floorplan, placement and coverage evidence.

Explain The Topology

Translate the floorplan design into a logical network topology.

Justify Security And Segmentation

Explain protection for guests, IoT, cameras, family devices and home office data.

Weekly Checkpoint

By the end of the week, submit the final Task 8 evidence, UniFi screenshots/export, topology and written justification through the LMS.