Data Communication and Networking

Upon the completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. describe the theoretical fundamentals of how the Internet works; 2. use a layered model to explain the primary functionalities of internetworking; 3. identify algorithms and functionalities to allow reliable data transport over an unreliable network; 4. explain the fundamental protocols in the Internet and apply them to new networks; 5. describe Software Defined Networking, fundamental concept and its impact on the Internet; and 6. explain the fundamentals of link layer protocols.

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