OVERVIEW

This course aims at describing Computer Networks, taking the OSI Reference Model and the TCP/IP Reference Model as an example. The presentation starts from the Physical Layer and proceeds upwards up to the Application Layer. It introduces network architectures and protocols and focuses on the TCP/IP protocol suite, on Ethernet and on nework virtualization. Finally it introduces the socket based programming interfaces and describes the main tools for protocol analysis. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the students :

1. will have a deep knowledge of network architectures and protocols
2. will be able to analyze the TCP/IP Protocol Data Units
3. will be able to write simple programs in C and in Java to use network functionalities
4. will be able to design networks.

PREREQUISITES

1. Basic programming
2. Basic mathematics and statistics

Teaching methods

Regula presentations by instructor

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Network Architecture
2. Circuit Switching vs Packet Switching
3. The OSI Reference Model
4. the Physical Layer
5. the Data Link Layer
6. the Network Lyer
7. the Transport Layer
8. the Application Layer
9. The TCP/IP reference model
10. Applications: Web, Email, ftp
11. Application Program Interface: socket
12. Analysis of protocol payloads through appropriate tools.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

A Tanenbaum, Computer Networks

Exam Board

MASSIMO MARESCA (President)

ALBERTO GIORDANO

DANIELE D'AGOSTINO

ALESSANDRO ARMANDO

PIERPAOLO BAGLIETTO (President Substitute)

Teaching methods

Regula presentations by instructor

Exam description

1. Oral exam at the end of the lectures

Assessment methods

The assessment will be based on questions/answers on theory, on exercises and on the analysis of network porotocols.

Exam schedule