Teaching Objective:

This course introduces the basics of networking, ranging from sending bits over wires to networked applications such as the Web. The outcome of this course for students should be an appreciation of the fundamental principles and design challenges of computer networking, including the network layer models and related networking technologies.

Teaching Requirements:

This course will be organized by the OSI and TCP/IP layer model to offer students comprehensive knowledge on computer networks. Topics required for students include:

1) The fundamental architecture and design principles of computer networks

2) Basic data communication, error detection and correction and packet switching, etc.

3) Networking technologies in LAN

4) Networking technologies in wireless networks

5) Operations on network layer including addressing and forwarding (IP), routing, etc.

6) Reliable transport in networks, congestion control (TCP)

7) Several typical Internet application protocols e.g., DNS, HTTP, WWW and EMAIL

8) Overview of secure network protocols.

Teaching Contents:

Chapter 1 Introduction:

As the introduction of computer networks, this section will explain the basic concepts and components of computer networks, including related hardware, software and the reference models (OSI and TCP/IP). The Internet, mobile phone networks, 802.11, and RFID and sensor networks will also be discussed as examples.

Chapter 2 The Physical Layer

The physical layer will discuss how to transmit data over physical medium, including: digital modulation, guided transmission media (e.g., twisted pairs, coaxial cable and power lines) and wireless transmission (e.g., radio, microwave and light), the public switched telephone networks and mobile telephone system (e.g., 3G networks based on CDMA).

Chapter 3 The Data Link Layer

Starting with the key design issues present in data link layer, this section will study the nature of errors in during transmission, how they can be detected and corrected, i.e., error control and flow control; and several protocols for solving these problems.

Chapter 4 Medium Access Control

This section discusses LAN technologies, channel allocation problems and multiple access protocols, especially CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection). Example networks in this section include Ethernet, 802.11, 802.16, Bluetooth, and RFID. Also the LAN switching, including WLANs, will be discussed.

Chapter 5, The Network Layer

This section covers the design issues of network layer, routing algorithms, congestion control, quality of service and internet-working problems. The network layer in Internet is discussed as an example, including IP addressing and forwarding, Internet control and IP routing protocols, as well as multicasting and mobile IP.

Chapter 6 The Transport Layer

This section will introduce the basic principles of transport services, e.g., connection-less and connection-oriented services; the implementation of Internet transport layer, especially the UDP and TCP protocols. The DTN (delay-tolerant network) will also be described.

Chapter 7 The Application Layer

This section will discuss several classical Internet applications, including: DNS (Domain Name Systems), Email services, WWW (World Wide Web) and streaming audio/video. Topics of content distribution, including CDNs and peer-to-peer networks, will also be discussed.

Advanced Networking Technologies

This section will discuss several recent advances for the Internet technologies. For example, cloud networking, Software Defined Networking (SDN), Data Center Networking and so on

Credits: 3