Computer Networks

Code:

EEC0033

Acronym:

RCOM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Telecommunications

Instance: 2011/2012 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
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	56	Syllabus (Transition) since 2010/2011	4	-	6	63	162
		Syllabus	4	-	6	63	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

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 computer networks. Transmission and data communication techniques. Data link control. Models for performance evaluation. Medium access control. LANs. Internet. Routing. Congestion control. Applications.

Mandatory literature

Tanenbaum, Andrew S.; Computer Networks. ISBN: 0-13-038488-7

Complementary Bibliography

Dimitri Bertsekas, Robert Gallager; Data networks. ISBN: 0-13-196981-1
James F. Kurose, Keith W. Ross; Computer networking. ISBN: 978-0-136548-3
Stevens, W. Richard; TCP/IP illustrated. ISBN: 0-201-63346-9
Lary L. Peterson & Bruce S. Davie; Computer Networks. ISBN: 978-0-12-374013-7
William Stallings; Data and Computer Communications. ISBN: 0-13-243310-9

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 with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	56,00
First lab work (extra class)	Trabalho laboratorial	27,00
Second lab work (extra class)	Trabalho laboratorial	27,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
Weekly study of the major concepts of the course, including home work	Estudo autónomo	24
Study and final review of the concepts of the course for the final exam	Estudo autónomo	28
	Total:	52,00

Eligibility for exams

The grading scale is from 0 to 20.

L1 - grade of 1st lab work
L2 - grade of 2nd lab work
H - grade of homeworks
FQ -GRADE OF FREQUÊNCIA

FQ = 0,4*L1 + 0,4*L2 + 0,2*H

if ( FQ < 8,0 ) FQ = "No Admission to Exams"

Calculation formula of final grade

The grading scale is from 0 to 20.

E - grade of the final exam
FQ - GRADE OF FREQUÊNCIA
CF - FINAL GRADE

CF = 0,4*FQ + 0,6*E

if ( E < 8,0 or CF < 10,0 ) CF = "Not approved"

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

The classification of the laboratory component can be improved in the next occurrence of the course and it is used on the final classification calculus in both exams – normal and re-sit one.

Observations

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