Computer Networks - Teoria (2008/2009)

Learning outcomes

This class aims at describing the basic concepts and the main design methodologies of the modern communication networks, both local and geographical.

32 hours covering the following topics:

* General concepts:
-- classification: WAN, LAN, PAN;
-- topologies;
-- reference models: ISO-OSI and TCP/IP;
-- circuit-switched and packet-switched networks;
-- connection-oriented services and acknowledged services;
-- flow control: stop-and-wait and sliding-window (go-back-N and Selective Repeat);
-- shaping and policing: leaky bucket and token bucket.

* The Data-Link Level:
-- aims and services;
-- framing;
-- examples: HDLC, SLIP and PPP.

* IEEE 802.X standards:
-- topologies and protocols: Ethernet, fast Ethernet, gigabit Ethernet, 10 gigabit Ethernet
-- the MAC sub-layer: Aloha, CSMA, CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA;
-- the LLC sub-layer;
-- bridge, switch and spanning-tree;
-- virtual LAN;
-- wireless LAN.

* The Network Level:
-- aims and services;
-- the IP protocol:
---- packet format;
---- address format and use, netmask, ARP and RARP;
---- class-less inter-domain routing (CIDR);
-- dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP);
-- Internet control management protocol (ICMP);
-- routing protocols;
---- static routing and dynamic routing (distance vector, link state routing);
---- interior-gateway protocols (RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, OSPF)
---- exterior-gateway protocols (BGP);
-- IPv6;

* The Transport Level:
-- aims and services;
-- TCP (3-way handshaking, flow control, retransmission, congestion control);
-- UDP;
-- secure socket layer (SSL).

* The Application Level:
-- Domain Name Service (DNS),
-- the client/server model;
-- File Transfer Protocol (FTP);
-- electronic mail (SMTP, POP3 e IMAP);
-- World Wide Web (HTTP, HTTPS, CGI);
-- Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP);
-- Secure Shell (SSH).

Examination consists of a written test with numerical exercises and questions about the theory.