Computer Communications

(3-0-0-3)

CMPE Degree: This course is Selected Elective for the CMPE degree.

EE Degree: This course is Selected Elective for the EE degree.

Lab Hours: 0 supervised lab hours and 0 unsupervised lab hours.

Technical Interest Groups / Course Categories: Threads / ECE Electives

Course Coordinator: Chuanyi Ji

Prerequisites: ECE 2020 [min C] and ECE 2026 [ min C]

Catalog Description

Basic concepts of computer communication network protocols.

Textbook(s)

Computer Networking : A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet

Course Outcomes

Describe the theoritical fundamentals of how the internet works 

Use a layered model to explain the primary functionalities of internetworking

Identify algorithms and functionalities to allow reliable data transport over an unreliable network 

Explain the fundamental protocols in the internet and have the ability to apply them to new networks 

Describe Software Defined Networking's fundamental concept and its impact on the internet 

Explain the fundamentals of link layer protocols

Strategic Performance Indicators (SPIs)

N/A

Topic List

  1. Introduction
    1. network edge
    2. end systems, access networks, links
    3. network core
    4. packet switching, circuit switching, network structure
    5. delay, loss, throughput in networks
    6. protocol layers, service models
  2. Application Layer
    1. Web and HTTP
    2. Electronic mail
    3. Domain Name System
    4. video streaming and content distribution networks
    5. Socket programming with UDP and TCP
  3. Transport Layer
    1. multiplexing and demultiplexing
    2. connectionless transport: UDP
    3. principles of reliable data transfer
    4. dconnection-oriented transport: TCP
    5. principles of congestion control
    6. TCP congestion control
  4. Network layer: The Data Plane
    1. data plane
    2. control plane
    3. Router architecture
    4. IP: Internet Protocol
    5. Generalized Forward and SDN
  5. Network Layer: The Control Plane
    1. routing protocols
    2. intra-AS routing in the Internet: OSPF
    3. routing among the ISPs: BGP
    4. The SDN control plane
  6. Link Layer and LANs
    1. error detection, correction
    2. multiple access protocols
    3. LANs
    4. data center networking
    5. day in the life of a web request
  7. Wireless Networking*
    1. Wireless links, characteristics
    2. IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs (Wi-Fi)
  8. Network Security*
    1. Message integrity, authentication
    2. Securing e-mail
    3. Securing TCP connections: SSL
    4. Firewalls and IDS

Advanced material which will be taught if time permits.