F29DC - Data Communications and Networking

Course leader(s):

Adam Sampson (Edinburgh, September)
Mehran Sharghi (Edinburgh, September)
Hani Ragab Hassen (Dubai, September)
To be announced (Dubai, September)
Rosalind Deena Kumari (Malaysia, September)

Aims

Introduction to data communications and computer networking Understanding of the structure of Internet Understanding of concepts of connection oriented and connectionless communication, and principles of data communication protocols

Syllabus

1. History and architecture (1.1 - Internet history and architecture, 1.2 - The network stack and standard models of it)

2. The network stack (2.1 - Network layer protocols: IPv4, IPv6, 2.2 - Network topologies, DHCP, NAT, 2.3 - Transport layer protocols: TCP, UDP, 2.4 - Application layer protocols: HTTP, DNS, TLS, 2.5 - Link level communications: representation, error detection, physical media)

3. Routing (3.1 - Routing basics and concepts, 3.2 - Internet routing and router architecture)

4. Performance analysis (4.1 - Sliding-window protocols and efficiency, 4.2 - Switching efficiency and congestion control)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to do the following:

Critically select contemporary standard network protocols to solve real-world problems.
Design, configure and reason about common contemporary network topologies.
Select and implement standard routing algorithms for small- and large-scale networks.
Analyse network performance using both theoretical and practical approaches.
Understand and apply international standards and manufacturer documentation in the design and configuration of network systems.

Further details

Curriculum explorer: Click here

SCQF Level: 9

Credits: 15