| Topic |
Sub-topic |
| 1. Introduction |
1.1. Network elements, types of links, services and protocols
1.2. Switching techniques: circuits, messages and packets
1.3. Reference models and service modes |
| 2. Packet switching (I): Link Transmission |
2.1. Packet framing and Frame transmission
2.2. Forwarding techniques.
2.3. Generalized forwarding. Correspondence and action
2.4. Statistical multiplexing
2.5. ARQ Techniques
2.6. Flow control |
| 3. Packet switching (II): Path Transmission |
3.1. Fundamental performance metrics: delay, losses, equivalent capacity
3.2. Reliability (hop-by-hop vs. end-to-end) |
| 4. The data plane (I): IEEE 802.x networks |
4.1. Link lawyer. Link types
4.2. IEEE 802 project
4.3. Flat addressing in iEEE 802
4.4. Bridges IEEE 802
4.5. IEEE 802.3: Ethernet
4.6. IEEE 802.11: WiFi |
| 5. The data plane (II): IP networks |
5.1. Internet and IP
5.2. Hierarchical addressing. Structure of IP addresses
5.3. Routers and forwarding tables
5.4. Correspondence in IP (longest prefix match)
5.5. The IP protocol. IPv4 and IPv6
5.6. Addressing scopes. Private networks
5.7. NAT |
| 6. Interconnection of link networks |
6.1. IP as interconnection network
6.2. Routers vs. bridges
6.3. Translation between link and network addresses: NDP/ARP
6.4. Fragmentation in IP |
| 7. The control plane (I): IEEE 802.X networks |
7.1. Data and control planes. Distributed and centralized control.
7.2. Control plane in IEEE 802 networks
7.3. Backward Learning
7.4. Spanning Tree Control (STP) |
| 8. The control plane (II): IP networks |
8.1. The problem of routing. Key elements: Algorithms, protocols, RIB
8.2. Hierarchical routing on the Internet: Autonomous systems and domains
8.3. Format of the RIB. Obtaining the FIB
8.4. Intra-domain routing. Main IGPs: RIP and OSPF
8.5. Inter-AS routing: BGP |
| 9. The Transport Layer |
9.1. Multiplexing, reliability and transmission modes
9.2. Transport protocols
9.3. UDP
9.4. TCP: Connection management. Ordered delivery. ARQ and flow control in TCP |
| 10. Congestion control |
10.1. The problem of congestion
10.2. Congestion control: objectives, requirements, types of mechanisms
10.3. Congestion Control in TCP. The AIMD algorithm
10.4. Classic implementations: Tahoe, Reno
10.5. Delay-based mechanisms. Vegas |
| 11. Internet Security |
11.1. Secure communication systems
11.2. Confidentiality. Symmetric and asymmetric cryptography
11.3. Authenticity and integrity. Hash functions. Digital signatures
11.4. Availability. DDoS Attacks
11.5. Secure Transport: TLS over TCP |
| Lab Sessions |
In the lab sessions we will do practicals using various network tools and utilities (GNS3, WireShark, ping,
traceroute, dig, etc.) to reinforce the contents learnt in the lecturing classes. Software to be used:
GNS3, WireShark, Java. Besides, there will be several sessions to explain related programming concepts (sockets, network utilities). |
