2017-2018 / INFO0010-2

Introduction to computer networking

Duration

30h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in geography : geomatics and surveying (120 ECTS)5 crédits  

Lecturer

Guy Leduc

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Computer networking is studied using a top-down approach, from applications down to the network layer. It is composed of the following chapters:

  • Internet architecture : network edge/core/access, protocol layers, history.
  • Application layer: web and HTTP, DNS, socket programming. Introduction to web services (SOAP, WSDL, UDDI).
  • Transport layer: (de)multiplexing, connectionless transport (UDP), reliable data transfer, connection-oriented transport (TCP), flow and congestion control.
  • Network layer: virtual circuit and datagram networks, router architecture, Internet Protocol (IP), addressing and forwarding, routing algorithms (RIP, OSPF, BGP).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course students will understand well the principles of computer networks, their layered architectures (OSI and TCP/IP models), the fundamental mechanisms governing the protocols in various layers, and some examples of existing protocols. They will also be able to implement a simple web application in Java using the socket API.
The project brings out self-learning and teamwork capabilities, and helps improve the writing skills of the students. Teaching, and all support material, in English allow students to improve their knowledge and skills in this langage.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic knowledge of computer architectures and operating systems. Some knowledge and practice of the Java programming language.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

  • Lectures (30 hours) describing in detail the theoretical and practical concepts of the course.
  • Lab sessions (8 hours), based on the Netkit network emulator, to go deeper into some concepts and thereby improve the understanding.
  • Small-scale web programming assignment in Java, in groups of 2 or 3 students. An intermediate "questions & answers" session is organized to correct the most frequent mistakes.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

The face-to-face lectures are complemented by some feedback at mid-project. Projects are mainly carried out remotely.

Recommended or required readings

Reference book: James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross. Computer Networking - A Top-Down Approach (Sixth Edition), Addison-Wesley, 2012. Also published by Pearson (ISBN 978-0-273-76896-8)
Slides : http://www.montefiore.ulg.ac.be/~leduc/cours/reseaux-informatiques.html

Assessment methods and criteria

The evaluation is threefold: the project (weight of 20%), the labs (weight of 15%) and an oral exam on the theory (65%).
At the oral exam the student has to expose clearly and in a synthetical way one part of the course, and prove his/her in-depth understanding by answering questions. A student who has not completed his/her project is not allowed to take this exam.
The assessment of the project will be based on (1) the completeness of the software that will have to pass a series of functionality tests, (2) the quality of the code, and (3) the quality of the report.
Students may improve their project for the second exam session (in September), but cannot do the lab sessions again. If the grade of the labs is favorable to the students, the second session is identical to the first one, with the same weighting. On the other hand, if the grade of the labs is not favorable to the student, it will not be taken into account in the weighting in September.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Second term (from February to April), Fridays from 9AM to 1PM.

Contacts

Teacher: Guy Leduc, Guy.Leduc@ulg.ac.be
Teaching assistants: