Course-PM

EDA343 / DIT423 EDA343 / DIT423 Computer communication lp4 VT21 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Contact details

Examiner:  Romaric Duvignau

Contact the examiner for queries related to the lectures.

Tutors: Contact these people for queries related to the exercises and the labs. To save time, please make sure that you have read carefully the instructions for the assignments, both the technical and the administration part. During the course there will also be undergraduate students supporting the lab work. Use the lab-hours to make your questions and get instant support. Check the Lab-module for more info.

Fareed Mohammad Qararyah qarayah@chalmers.se (Exercise responsible)

Roman Melnik melnik@chalmers.se (Lab responsible)

Course purpose

Introductory course on data communication and computer networks/Internet, including (i) aspects that practising engineers encounter in their work, as well as (ii) context for following upon the evolution of this rapidly changing field of computer science and engineering, e.g. Internet of Things. After completion, the student should be able to distinguish the different network layers, services and related protocols. In particular, students will be able to:

• Explain the major tasks/services that each of these provides
• Explain possibilities and constraints in today's networks (Internet) and in general contexts
• Build and configure a working network 

Moreover, via the labs and assignments, students will be trained in solving network problems, working with network protocols, building up a network and configuring (also dynamically) network traffic; they will also have gained experience by doing practical work in applying the knowledge offered by the course in realistic situations.

In the study of protocols, we start with application-layer protocols, in the context of applications that we use regularly. Moving to lower layers later on, we have the possibility to gradually uncover network services, their functionality and the ease/difficulty for achieving them. Topics covered include: networking applications, content distribution, HTTP, SMTP, TCP, UDP, performance and congestion analysis, IP, switching, routing, Software-Defined networks (SDN), mobile IP, local area networks, multiple access protocols (IEEE 802.X and others), wireless networks; in less detail we discuss physical media, error-detection and correction, and network security, connecting to other courses that specialize on these subjects.

Schedule

TimeEdit schedule

Course literature

Text book: Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 8 ed., James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross (available through Cremona and Chalmers' library, also as e-book).

At the web pages of the course you can find a detailed reading list.

Other books and resources that the students may find useful can be found in the corresponding web pages of the course.

Course design

The course includes:

• 16-17 lectures, including slots reserved for guest lectures from industry
• 7 exercise sessions using quizzes in Canvas
  
• 5 labs with hands-on work
  • Lab1: Study network traffic using wireshark (HTTP/DNS)
  • Lab2: Study network traffic using wireshark (TCP)
  • Lab3: Network configuration (Routing)
  • Lab4: Network configuration (Switching)
    
  • Lab5: Software Defined Networking and OpenFlow

Changes made since the last occasion

The main change is a return to campus-based teaching after 2 years as a fully-remote course. Also labs will be done on campus using newly acquired network equipment and Raspberry Pis 400.  Exercise sessions will offer a few bonus points at the exam.

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

01. obtain basic knowledge and skills in the field of data communications and computer networks,
02. obtain good knowledge of reference models for computer communication in terms of function, services and protocols.
03. be able to apply knowledge of reference models to gain understanding on the construction and use of various computer networks and protocols
04. obtain good knowledge of the TCP / IP model and the Internet's structure and architecture
05. obtain good knowledge of the principles, protocols and standards that TCP / IP-based networks and their applications are based on
06. be able to prepare a basic IP addressing plan for an intranet.
07. have a good understanding of the Internet's limitations with respect to service warranties in connection with newly developed services.
08. explain how different types of computer networks are constructed relative to the transmission medium's characteristics, bandwidth requirements, coding methods and functions for error and flow control.
09. be able to seek deeper knowledge of the individual standards and protocols in the data communication field.
10. be able to implement a simple application-layer protocol starting from its specification and applying communication through sockets.
11. have basic practical skills in the configuration of local networks.

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen Study plan

Link to the syllabus GU https://kursplaner.gu.se/pdf/kurs/en/dit423

Examination form

Students must pass the 5 labs (passed/failed) and the written exam at the end of the course.