Syllabus: Computer Networks

Diploma in IT Syllabus

Computer Networks

• Understanding of the common modern network technologies and of its use.
• To understand the computer networks regarding the format and data transfer at high speed over the local and wide area networks.
• To spot potential and actual limitations within the existing computer networks and identify advances in technology that could resolve them.
• To be able to demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties and performance characteristics of communication media; specifically copper cable, fibre optics and wireless networks.
• To be able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of communication standards, including an appreciation of protocol layer models and enhancements to those standards.
• To be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the theory and practice of common local area networks including virtual and wireless LANs.
• To be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the theory and practice of wide area networks and their interconnection.
• To be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the significance of network and inter-network protocols; specifically IPv4, IPv6, TCP and UDP.
• To be able to describe the importance of reliability and quality of service, including examples of error recovery strategies, traffic differentiation and prioritisation Prior Knowledge Expected:

Contents:

INTRODUCTION

Historical perspective, theoretical and practical models of network architecture particularly the ISO OSI seven layer model and the TCP/IP protocol stack. Example networks and services including prototype new technologies. These would include Frame Relay, ISDN, ATM, WiFi, xDSL, WiMAX, 2G and 3G.

DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

Physical properties of copper media, fibre optics, radio communication, and data communication standards. Maximum data rates (theoretical and practical) for different media including some simple analysis of signals. Data encoding of digital signals. The distinction between, and analysis of, physical media and wireless media properties. The difference between narrow band and broad band technologies with particular reference to ISDN and xDSL.

LOCAL AREA NETWORKS

Types of LAN covering standards, topology and performance. Example architectures such as ethernet and fast ethernet, ATM, and WiFi. The operation of LAN switches and the configuration of virtual LANs.

WIDE AREA NETWORKS

Circuit versus packet switching and associated routing and flow control. Detailed examples of existing architectures such as Frame Relay, ISDN, ATM, Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) and Virtual Private Networks (VPN).

INTER NETWORKS

Principles of inter networking, architectures, addressing and protocols. Particular reference to IPv4, IPv6, TCP and UDP.

ERRORS

The main causes of errors and their effects on transmission. Single bit and burst errors. Various error detection and correction strategies including parity, block sum, Hamming Codes, Cyclic Redundancy Checks and Forward versus Backward error control. Statistical analysis of the effectiveness of error detection and correction code.

QUALITY OF SERVICE

A definition of quality of service and the main parameters that define network performance. Router functionality including frame prioritisation, classification and queue management techniques. The provision of quality of service management in practical networks such as Frame Relay, ATM and the Internet.

Primary Texts:

Halsall, Fred, Computer Networking and the Internet, Addison Wesley (5th Ed), 2005, ISBN: 0321263588

Stallings, William, Data and Computer Communications, Prentice Hall Int. (8th Ed), 2007, ISBN: 0132433109

Alternative Texts:

Stallings, William, Wireless Communications and Networks (2nd Edition), 2004, ISBN: 0131967908

Tanenbaum, Andrew, Computer Networks (International Edition) (4th Edition), 2002, ISBN: 0130384887
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