Data Communications and Computer Networks

Course Objectives

The main objectives of the course are:

1. To learn the basic principles behind the interconnection between different hosts across private, organizational and public networks.
2. To learn to develop programs for data communication on various network layers and understand the security concepts on these layers.

Course Description

The course is designed to teach the principles of networking by using protocol layering of the internet and the TCP/IP protocol suite. The topics flow in bottom-up approach. The learner shall understand how bits move in physical layer before learning how programs exchange messages at application layer. The learner shall complete 10 quizzes, 4 assignments, 1 semester Project, regular examinations and topic based problem sets. Moreover, the learner will work through Lab Assignments, Programming Assignments and Simulation Experiments throughout the course.

Course Outcomes

1. The learner shall learn to design the network of IPv4 and IPv6 for interconnecting various network components at different layers.
2. The learner shall learn to configure various data communication strategies for maintaining Quality of Service while securing the network at different layers.
3. The learner shall learn different tools and strategies for securing the network environment

Course Contents

Theoretical Tutorials

Introduction to Computer Network and Data Communication [3 hrs]

1. Internet and Intranet
2. History of Computer Networking and Internet
3. Introduction to Packet Switched Network and Circuit Switched Network

Physical Layer [7 hrs]

1. Analog and Digital Transmission
2. Bandwidth Utilization: Multiplexing and Spectrum Spreading
3. Transmission Media
4. Switching

Data-link Layer [10 hrs]

1. Introduction
2. Error Detection and Correction
3. DLC (Data Link Control) and MAC(Media Access Control)
4. Wired and Wireless Networks.
   • Coding Schemes: CDMA, 4G LTE Cellular networks, 5G Cellular Networks
   • Spread spectrum signals

Network Layer [10 hrs]

1. Network Protocols
2. Routing Protocols: Unicast and Multicast
3. Routing Algorithm
4. Software Defined Network (SDN): Principles, Protocols, Implications
5. Virtual LANs, NAT, DHCP, ARP, BGP/OSPF
6. NetFlow
7. MPLS(Multi-protocol label switching) and SD-WAN (Software-defined Wide Area Network)

Transport Layer and Application Layer [6 hrs]

1. Transport Layer Protocols: TCP/UDP
2. Standard Client-Server Protocols
3. Network management & Multimedia Networking

Network Essentials [6 hrs]

1. Quality of Service
2. Information Theory
3. The Network Management Framework - SNMP, NETCONF/YANG, ICMP, BGP, OSPF.

Networking as a Career [6 hrs]

1. Cisco Certifications on Network Design
2. IOT, VoIP
3. SCADA, RealTime systems.

Network Security [9 hrs]

1. Introduction
2. Principles of Cryptography
   • Symmetric Key Cryptography
   • Public Key Encryption
   • Cryptographic Hash Functiions, Message Authentication Code and Digital Signatures
3. Securing Applications
   • End-point Authentication
   • Email
   • SSL
   • IPSec and VPNs
   • Securing Wireless LAN
   • Operational Security with Firewall and Intrusion Detection Systems

Network SCAMS [3 hrs]

1. DMZ, Honeypots, HoneyNets, Proxy Servers

Lab Tutorials

1. Study of different types of Network cables and Practically implement the cross-wired cable and straight through cable using clamping tool.
2. Study of Network Devices (Repeater, Hub, Switch, Bridge, Router, Gateway) in Detail.
3. Connect the computers in LAN.
4. Study of basic network command and Network configuration commands.
5. Performing an Initial Switch Configuration
6. Performing an Initial Router Configuration
7. Configuring and Troubleshooting a Switched Network
8. Examining WAN Connections
9. Interpreting Ping and Traceroute Output
10. Demonstrating Distribution Layer Functions
11. Placing ACLs
12. Implementing an IP Addressing Scheme
13. Planning Network-based Firewalls
14. Configuring DHCP, VLANs, IOT and SIP devices.

Programming Assignments(s):

1. Network Socket Programming
2. Network Packet Analysis - Deep Packet Inspection
3. Network Packet Analysis - Log File Analysis

Textbook(s):

1. Computer Networking, A Top-Down Approach. J.F. Kurose and K.W. Ross. Pearson. Eighth Edition.
2. Data Communications and Networking. Forouzan. McGraw-Hill
3. Networking Essentials. J.S. Beasley, P. Nilkaew. Pearson

References

1. TCP/IP Protocol Suits
2. Cryptography and Network Security
3. Computer Networks. A.S. Tanenbaum, N. Feamster, D.J. Wetherall