Lecturer: Giuseppe Federico Rossi  

Course name: Computer Networks
Course code: 502481
Degree course: Ingegneria Meccatronica
Disciplinary field of science: ING-INF/05
University credits: CFU 6
Course website: http://www.unipv.it/retical/didattica/aa2010-11/retical
cmn/index.html

Specific course objectives

This course is an introduction to computer networking. In this course you will familiarize yourself with the basic principles of computer networks. With this course you will acquire the basic knowledge of the Internet architecture and of its evolution.

Course programme

Introduction
What is a telecommunication network? Routing & switching. Multiplexing. Circuit switching and packet switching.

Architectures and communication protocols
Layered architectures. Definitions of “protocol” and “peer entity”. Encapsulation, fragmentation, ordered delivery, protocol multiplexing, connection control, flow control. Stop-and-Wait, Go-Back-n, Selective-Repeat. Network performance (only deterministic models).

Multiple access channels
Taxonomy. Multiple access protocols: token passing, Aloha (pure and slotted), CSMA and CSMA/CD.

Local area networks
EthernetV2, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.5.

Routing & switching in packet switched networks
Routing algorithms. Source-route forwarding, destination-based forwarding, label-based forwarding.

TCP/IP architecture
Main components: IPv4, TCP, UDP. IP routing (RIP, OSPF, BGP). Performance evaluation (only deterministic models).

Network devices
Repater, bridge (L2 switch), router (L3 switch), gateway (proxy TCP/IP).

Course entry requirements

Introductory courses on computer systems.

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 35
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 20
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0

Suggested reading materials

G. F. Rossi. RETI DI CALCOLATORI - Lucidi delle Lezioni. (University of Pavia website). Downloadable from http://www.unipv.it/retical/didattica/aa2010-11/reticalcmn/index.html..

A. S. Tanenbaum. RETI DI CALCOLATORI. Pearson Education International.

Testing and exams

Final exam (written).