Course Title: Advanced Computer Networking and Communications

Course Code: CNS 6112

Credit Hour: 3

Contact Hour per Week: 2 Lecture Hours and 3 Lab Hours

Course Status: Compulsory

Pre-requisite: A basic Undergraduate or equivalent course in Computer Networks/ing and

Communications

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Course Description: This course introduces the students to the world of internetworking. There
are in-depth discussions about the application, transport, network and link layers and associated
protocols, issues in multimedia networking, overlay networks and peer-to-peer networks, and how
quality of service is delivered in an IP network. The course wraps up with a case study, which the
students work in groups to discuss, design and present their solutions. Moreover, the course aims
to get a strong understanding of fundamental concepts and to get a flavour of more recent research
and recent developments in the area.

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Course Objective: Up on successful completion of the course, the students will be able to identify
the component of an internetworking; describe the functionality of internetworking components;
articulate how the internet protocol is implemented in a network; describe how routers and routing
protocols operate; describe multimedia networking applications and QoS; describe how real-time
interactive application protocols such as RTP, RTCP, etc. works. -------------------------------------
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Course Content:

1. Introduction to Computer Networks and Communications

1.1. Overview and History of the Internet

1.2. Network Edge and Core

1.2.1. End Systems, Access Networks and Links

1.2.2. Circuit Switching, Packet Switching, Network Structures and Architectures

1.2.3. Delay, Loss and Throughput in Packet-Switched Networks

1.3. Overview of OSI and TCP/IP Layer Protocols

2. Application Layer

2.1. Principles of Network Applications

2.2. Web and HTTP

2.2.1. Web server redirection and caching

2.3. FTP, SMTP, POP3, IMAP, DNS

2.4. Socket Programming with TCP/UDP

2.5. Applications Level Issues and Problem: Applications Need their Own Protocols

2.5.1. Name Service and Traditional Applications

2.5.2. Multimedia Applications

2.5.3. Overlay Networks and P2P Networks

2.5.4. Web Server Systems

3. Transport Layer

3.1. Transport Layer Services

3.2. Multiplexing and Demultiplexing

3.3. User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

3.3.1. Segment Structure

3.3.2. Reliable Data Transfer

3.3.3. Flow Control

3.3.4. Connection Management

3.4. Scheduling, Congestion Control and Avoidance

3.5. TCP Flavors (Prominent Protocols): RENO, NEWRENO, TAHOE, VEGAS, etc.

4. Network Layer
4.1. Introduction to Network Layer 4.2. Virtual Circuit and Datagram Networks

4.3. What’s Inside a Router?

4.4. Internet Protocol (IP)

4.1.1. Datagram Format

4.1.2. IPv4 and IPv6 Addressing

4.1.3. Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)

4.5. Routing algorithms (Link State, Distance Vector, Hierarchical Routing, etc.)

4.6. Routing in the Internet (RIP, OSPF, BGP, etc.)

4.7. Unicast, Broadcast and Multicast Routing

5. Link Layer

5.1. Introduction, Services, Error Detection and Correction

5.2. Multiple Access Protocols and Link Layer Addressing

5.3. Ethernet and Link Layer Switches

5.4. Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) and Link Virtualization: ATM, MPLS

6. Multimedia Networking

6.1. Multimedia Networking Applications

6.2. Streaming Stored Audio and Video

6.3. Making the Best Out of Best Effort Service

6.4. Protocols for Real-time Interactive Applications (RTP, RTCP, SIP, etc.)

6.5. VoIP Fundamentals

6.5.1. How Packetized Voice Works and Voice Quality

6.5.2. SIP, Soft Switches and Gateways

6.5.3. PBX Replacement

6.6. Providing Multiple Classes of Service

6.7. Providing QoS Guarantees

7. Next Generation Networking

7.1. Motivation and Challenges

7.2. Self-organizing Networks: (Ad-hoc, Sensors and Mesh Networks; Applications;

Communication Support: Information Dissemination, Medium Access Mechanisms;
Selforganizing Concepts in Infrastructure-based Networks.)

7.3. New Trends in Computer Networking (PAN, Pervasive Computing, Grid computing,
Cloud Computing, etc.)

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Assessment and Grading System:

 Case Study (Group Task) – 25%

 Individual Assignment(s) – 15%

 Project (Practical/Lab) – 20%

 Final Written Examination – 40%

 Grades will be determined according to the University post-graduate rules and

regulations.

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Textbook and References:

 J. F. Kurose, and K. W. Ross, “Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach”,

Addison-Wesley, Fourth Edition, 2008.

 A. S. Tannenbaum, “Computer Networks”, Prentice Hall, Fourth Edition, 2003.

 B. A. Forouzan, “Data Communications and Networking”, McGraw Hill, Third

Edition, 2003.

 W. Stallings, “Data and Computer Communications”, Prentice Hall, Seventh Edition,

2004.

 W. Stallings, “High-Speed Networks and Internets: Performance and Quality of

Service”, Prentice Hall, Second Edition, 2002.