Module 05933 (2002)
Syllabus page 2002/2003
06-05933
Computer Networks
Level 3/H
Links | Outline | Aims | Outcomes | Prerequisites | Teaching | Assessment | Books | Detailed Syllabus
The Module Description is a strict subset of this Syllabus Page. (The University module description has not yet been checked against the School's.)
Relevant Links
Outline
This is an introductory course in the basic concepts, technologies and standards in the area of Computer Networks. It covers topics related to data transmission techniques, OSI and TCP/IP layers and protocols, design of LANs and WANs.
Aims
The aims of this module are to:
- introduce the basic terminology, technologies and standards in computer networks
- introduce the principles and underlying theory of data communication systems
- provide an understanding of the fundamental concepts of networks and associated protocols (in the context of the OSI and Internet layered reference models)
Learning Outcomes
| On successful completion of this module, the student should be able to: | Assessed by: | |
| 1 | understand the technical literature on computer networks | Examination |
| 2 | understand the fundamental concepts and issues involved in computer networking | Examination |
| 3 | understand the need for protocols and to describe current networking paradigms at a theoretical level | Examination |
| 4 | understand the engineering principles of network and protocol design. | Examination |
| 5 | understand the layered organization and structuring of computer networks, distinguish the problems involved at each layer and understand the techniques and algorithms that have been devised to address these problems. | Examination |
| 6 | demonstrate an insight into the design, organization, operation of state of the art, widely used networks and protocol suites | Examination |
Restrictions, Prerequisites and Corequisites
Restrictions:
None
Prerequisites:
None
Co-requisites:
None
However 06-06798 (Distributed Systems) and 06-02512 (Parallel Computer Architecture) will provide
students with a more complete picture of the subject area.
Teaching
Teaching Methods:
2 hrs lectures per week
Additional classes to discuss exercises set throughout
course
Contact Hours:
Assessment
- Supplementary (where allowed): As the sessional assessment
- 2 hr examination (100%).
Recommended Books
| Title | Author(s) | Publisher, Date |
| Computer networks (3rd edn) | Tanenbaum A | 1996 |
| Data communications, computer networks & open systems (4th edn) | Halsall F | 1996 |
| Computer Networks, A Systems Approach | Peterson L & Davie B | 1996 |
| Understanding Data Communications & Networks | Shay W | 1994 |
Detailed Syllabus
-
Network Architecture
- Historical review
- Network Software Architecture: layers and protocols, OSI vs TCP.
- Network Hardware Architecture : topologies, media, devices
- Data Link Layer
- Design issues and services
- Framing
- Error detection and correction algorithms (Hamming, CRC, Parity, Checksum)
- Data link protocols (Stop-and-wait, Sliding windows)
- Network performance issues
- Media Access Control and LANs
- The channel allocation problem
- Methods and Protocols for LANs
- IEEE 802 Standards and LAN technologies (Ethernet, Token Ring)
- Connecting LANs: Hubs, Bridges and Switches
- Hardware Addressing
- Network Layer and Internetworking
- Problems and Design issues
- Routing algorithms and standards
- Logical Addressing and Subnetting
- Wide area network technologies
- Transport Layer and End-to-end protocols
- Issues and services
- Transport protocol design issues
- The Internet Transport Layer: TCP/UDP
Last updated: 29 July 2001
Source file: /internal/modules/COMSCI/2002/xml/05933.xml
Links | Outline | Aims | Outcomes | Prerequisites | Teaching | Assessment | Books | Detailed Syllabus