An introduction to packet-switched networks (land based point-to-point networks, satellite networks, local area networks and broadcast networks) is given. Experience with existing networks is discussed and operational procedures are presented. Design issues and modeling techniques are emphasized.
Textbook: Computer Networks and Internets, Third Edition, by Douglas E. Comer, CD-ROM by Ralph Droms, Prentice-Hall, 2001.
The textbook provides a good overview of computer networking. It is easy to read and serves as a reference source, with a balanced presentation of practical and theoretical concepts, as well as hardware and software issues. The references on reserve in Bertrand Library will be used heavily for further exploration of the topics covered in class.
The convergence of computing and telecommunications has led to the Internet, which is familiar to everyone, and has become a dominant part of everyday living. It has changed the way that we educate students, how we do business, and has allowed organizations to collect, process, and distribute critical information to and from global locations. The field of computer networking is experiencing rapid change, and like Alice, in Wonderland, teachers, students, and practitioners must run just to stay in place.
The focus of this course is to work on the future issues facing the networking community, and to evaluate how well the networks meet their design specifications.
Upon completion of the course, the student will: have a basic understanding of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) computer network architecture; know the principles of a packet-switched network; be able to analyze the fundamental protocols involved at various levels of a computer network architecture; gain an understanding of land-based point-to-point networks, wireless networks (WLANs, Bluetooth) and satellite networks; gain some experience with existing computer networks; acquire the background needed in design issues and modeling techniques.
This course requires students to integrate topics from mathematics, physical sciences, computer science, and electrical engineering with social science and humanities knowledge to address current computer networking issues. In addition, we evaluate various design strategies and select optimal designs. The world of practicing engineers requires both individual and team efforts, which are reproduced in the classroom by term projects. Students are asked to identify a topic, read the literature, write a report, and make an oral presentation. By sharing the results of their research with the class, all students gain a broader view of the field.
I. Introduction
- The Networking Problem
- Network Goals
- Circuit-Switching and Packet-Switching
- Network Classification
- The ISO Reference Model
- TCP/IP
II. Wide Area Networks
- Examples: The ARPANET, Internet , general description
- The design and performance evaluation process of computer
networks (modeling and analysis, network optimization, network
operation and control, measurements)
- Introduction to Queueing Theory
- Delay Analysis
- The Topological Design Problem
- Network Protocols: Adaptive routing, flow control, lockups,
congestion
-TCP/IP
III. Packet-Broadcasting Networks and Local Area Networks
- Examples: The ALOHA system, Satellite Networks,
Ethernet, and Token-Passing Networks
- Random Access Schemes
- Throughput and
Delay Analysis; Throughput - Delay Tradeoff
IV. Frame Relay, Cell Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
- Examples
- Distributed Algorithms for Computer Networks
V. Wireless Networks
- IEEE 802.11
- Bluetooth
-Performance analysis
VI. Security
-Cryptographic Algorithms
-Protocols
VII. Distributed Networks
Grading:
Homework 10%
Quiz 1 20%
Quiz 2 20%
Quiz 3 20%
Term Paper and
Presentation 30%
Dates