Computer Networks

Code:

EEC0033

Acronym:

RCOM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Telecommunications

Instance: 2009/2010 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://www.fe.up.pt/~jruela/redes/rc_mieec_index.html
Responsible unit:	Telecommunications
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Electrical and Computers Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEEC	58	Syllabus since 2007/2008	4	-	6	63	160

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This course aims to develop students’ technical, personal, professional, interpersonal, conception, design and system implementation skills. All these aspect will be assessed equally.

Aims of the course:

1. Acquisition of technical knowledge
The theoretical component of the course aims to acquaint students with Data Communication Networks, which covers the essential architectonic aspects of them, as well as their technologies, solutions and regulations regarding LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide Area Networks).

The above mentioned knowledge is essential to acquire knowledge on the following fields:

2. Application of knowledge (conception, design and system implementation)
Laboratory classes will be based on two laboratory assignments. They aim to train students on the practical application of their theoretical knowledge, as well as critical analysis through the development and testing of communication modules: a data link protocol between two computers by a serial link and an application protocol using sockets in a TCP/IP environment.
By doing these assignments, students will also develop their personal, professional and interpersonal skills.

3. Development of personal and professional skills
The theoretical component of this course approaches problems in a systemic perspective, by highlighting the interaction between the components of a communication system or a complex network.

Furthermore, it also aims to develop students’ analysis and problem solving skills, namely in the evaluation of network performances, based on analytical models. Its objective is to identify the performance parameters and criteria for its dimensioning.

The laboratory component of the course allows students to develop their skills on experimentation, application and knowledge verification, as well as its integration in the system.

4. Development of interpersonal skills (teamwork and communication)
Laboratory assignments are to be performed in a group. They are to be done during various weeks, which require planning and coordination between the members of the group (or even between groups).
Besides, laboratory assignments have to be presented and a report has to be written. All the components will be taken into account in the final mark.

Program

Introduction to data networks – concepts and basic principles. Transmission and data communication techniques. Data link control: bit and character-oriented protocols; examples. Data communications networks: switching technologies; services. Network architectures: OSI model; TCP/ IP architecture. LANs: topologies; access protocols; standards; performance analysis. The Internet: architecture; protocols; applications. Public data services and networks: X.25; Frame Relay; ATM;MPLS.

Mandatory literature

Stallings, William; Data and Computer Communications. ISBN: 0-13-243310-9
Tanenbaum, Andrew S.; Computer Networks. ISBN: 0-13-038488-7
Peterson, Larry L.; Computer Networks. ISBN: 978-0-12-374013-7
Leon-Garcia, Alberto; Communication networks. ISBN: 0-07-119848-2

Complementary Bibliography

Stevens, W. Richard; TCP/IP illustrated. ISBN: 0-201-63346-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes are dedicated to the formal exposition of contents, including problems’ solving to illustrate and discuss cases. In laboratory classes the students will do two assignments to get acquainted with the development of communications protocols – a data link protocol and the client side of a TCP/IP based application protocol.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Subject Classes	Participação presencial	62,00
First Laboratory Assigment (demonstration and report)	Trabalho escrito	25,00		2009-11-06
Second Laboratory Assigment (demonstration and report)	Trabalho escrito	25,00		2009-12-18
First test	Exame	25,00		2009-11-11
Second test	Exame	25,00		2009-12-16
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

To attain frequency in the laboratory component, the student must have a minimum classification of 8 marks in each of the assignments.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Mark will be based on the marks of the two assessment components:
- The two laboratory assignments are worth the same (in total they are worth 40% of the final mark)
- The two tests are worth the same (in total they are worth 60% of the final mark). The tests are divided into two parts: a closed book component (theoretical) and an open book component (practical- problem solving).
Students have to reach a minimum mark of 7 out of 20 in both tests and do the laboratory assignments, to complete the course.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The special evaluation students can choose to do laboratory assignments, following identical conditions as the ordinary students, or to do an individual assignment done out of the normal period of classes, according to the specific aims proposed for each case.

Classification improvement

Due to the evaluation type (continuous evaluation without final exam), classification improvement of either component (tests and laboratory assignments) is only possible on the next academic year.

Observations

The students must have basic knowledge of Telecommunications and some experience with C programming.