Date and Time: 5:00 – 8:00pm (Tuesdays)

Austin Amaechi, PhD

Course Content

 In this course, we shall learn how computer networks work, the architecture used to
design networks, and how to keep them secure.

 Computer networks connect nodes like computers, routers, and switches using
cables, fiber optics, or wireless signals. These connections allow devices in a
network to communicate and share information and resources.

 The architecture on which you choose to base your network is the single most
important decision you make when setting up a LAN.

 Networks follow protocols, which define how communications are sent and received.
These protocols allow devices to communicate. Each device on a network uses an
Internet Protocol or IP address, a string of numbers that uniquely identifies a device
and allows other devices to recognize it.
Course Content

 Computer network architecture defines the physical and logical framework of a

computer network. It outlines how computers are organized in the network and what
tasks are assigned to those computers. Network architecture components include
hardware, software, transmission media (wired or wireless), network topology, and
communications protocols.

 Computer networking solutions help businesses enhance traffic, keep users happy,
secure the network, and easily provision services. The best computer networking
solution is typically a unique configuration based on your specific business type and
needs.
Course Content

Lecture Group 1: Network Architecture Fundamentals:

 Topology of a Computer Network...........
 Elements of Meaningful Communication……
 Transport-Oriented Functions....
 Interaction with the Subnetwork……
 Quality of Transport Service...........
 Conversion of Signals...........
 Error Control...........
 Components of a Computer Network...........
 Architecture of a Computer Network……..
Course Content

Lecture Group 2: Local Area Networks:

 Need for Local Area Networks...........

◦ LAN Attributes...........
◦ LAN Environment in an Organization...........
 LAN Topologies...........
◦ Bus Topology...........
◦ Ring Topology..........
◦ Star Topology..........
◦ Logical Topology.......
 Media Access Control...........
 Layered Architecture of LAN
Course Content

Lecture Group 2: Local Area Networks:

 IEEE Standards...........
 Logical Link Control (LLC) Sublayer...........
◦ 10.6.1 LLC Service...........
◦ 10.6.2 LLC Protocol...........
◦ 10.6.3 LLC Procedures...........
 Media Access Control (MAC) Sublayer...........
◦ MAC Service...........
◦ MAC Protocol..........
 Transmission Media for Local Area Networks.........
◦ Twisted Copper Pair Cable...........
◦ Coaxial Cables..
 Optical Fibre Cable
Course Content

Lecture Group 3: Local Area Networks:

 Token Passing Local Area Networks....

 Token Ring Local Area Network...........

 Media Access Control in Token Ring LAN..........

◦ Token Holding Time...........
◦ Early Token Release..........

 Ring Size...........
◦ Bypass Relay...........
◦ Multi-Station Attachment Unit...........
Course Content

Lecture Group 3: Local Area Networks:

 Standards for Token Ring LAN...........
◦ IEEE 802.5 MAC Frame Format...........

 MAC Addresses (DA/SA) in Token Ring LAN..........

◦ Functional Address...........

 Priority Management in Token Ring LAN...........

◦ Stacking Station...........
Course Content

Lecture Group 3: Local Area Networks:

 Ring Management in Token Ring LAN..........
◦ Active Monitor Station Selection...........
◦ Upstream Neighbour Determination...........
◦ Token Management...........
◦ Initialization Process for a New Station...........
◦ Persistent Circulating Frames ....
◦ Master Clock Generation...........
◦ Beaconing...........
Course Content

Lecture Group 3: Local Area Networks:

 Token Bus LAN...........
◦ Media Access Control in Token Bus LAN...........
◦ Frame Structure of Token Bus LAN...........
◦ Response Window...........
◦ Token Bus Management...........
◦ Priority Operation in Token Bus...........
◦ Physical Specifications...........
Course Content

Lecture Group 3: Local Area Networks:

 Fibre Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)...........
◦ Physical Topology...........
◦ Types of FDDI Stations...........
◦ Types of Services...........
 Media Access Control in FDDI...........
◦ Frame Fragmentation...........
◦ Fragment Removal...........
◦ Priority Management in FDDI...........
 MAC Frame Format in FDDI...........
 Physical Specifications of FDDI...........
Course Content

Lecture Group 4: Wireless Local Area Networks:

 Wireless Local Area Network...........
◦ Wireless Local Area Network Configuration...........
◦ Communication Modes...........

 Layered Architecture of Wireless Local Area Network..........

◦ Functions of MAC Sublayer in IEEE 802.11...........

 Media Access Control in Wireless Local Area Network...........

o Inter-Frame Spaces in IEEE 802.11...........

Course Content

Lecture Group 4: Wireless Local Area Networks:

 Distributed Coordination Function (DCF)
◦ DCF with RTS/CTS...........
◦ Binary Exponential Back-off...........
◦ Fragmentation...........
 Point Coordination Function (PCF)...........
◦ Communication during Contention Free Period (CFP) Using PCF...........
 MAC Frames of the IEEE 802.11...........
◦ Control Frames...........
◦ Data Frames...........
◦ Format of MAC Frames of IEEE 802.11...........
 Transmission Technologies of IEEE 802.11...........
Course Content

Lecture Group 4: Wireless Local Area Networks:

 Transmission Technologies of IEEE 802.11...........
◦ Spread Spectrum Transmission Systems...........
◦ Infrared Transmission Systems...........
◦ Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)...........
 Physical Layer of IEEE 802.11...........
◦ Original IEEE 802.11 Physical Layer...........
◦ IEEE 802.11a...........
◦ IEEE 802.11b...........
Course Content

Lecture Group 5: Bridges and Layer-2 Switches:

 Motivation for Using LAN Bridges...........
 LAN Bridge...........
◦ Bridge Architecture...........
◦ Types of Bridges...........
 Transparent Bridges...........
◦ Frame Filtering and Forwarding...........
◦ Learning Addresses..........
◦ Multiple Paths...........
 Spanning Tree Algorithm...........
◦ Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU)...........
◦ Constructing the Spanning Tree...........
◦ Error Situations and Limitations of Transparent Bridge...........
Course Content

Lecture Group 5: Bridges and Layer-2 Switches:

 Source Routing Bridges...........
◦ Frame Structure...........
◦ Routing Directives...........
 Route Discovery in Source Routing...........
◦ Route Discovery Using All-Route-Broadcast (ARB)...........
◦ Route Discovery Using Single-Route-Broadcast (SRB)...........
 Source Routing Bridges
 Remote Bridges...........
 Layer 2 Ethernet Switches...........
◦ Motivation behind Ethernet Layer-2 Switches...........
◦ Latency in Ethernet Layer-2 Switch...........
◦ Basic Features of Ethernet Layer-2 Switchdge vs Transparent Bridge
Grading

Examination: 60% each

Lab Assignments: 40%

Minimum 80% attendance and minimum 50% marks are necessary to clear the
course.
Grading

The grading will be based on five graded assignments/individual project paper with topics, a network
design diagram, and a case study.

1. The assignments will follow each of the major milestones of the course. These assignments will be
problems or questions from the text. They are a combination of Lesson Reviews and Lesson
Activities and/or Labs. They are selected to provide the student with information to understand the
concepts discussed.

Assignments should be prepared in Microsoft Word using the following file naming convention:
MSCIT 619/ISN 6155_Week#Assignment_First_Last.doc(x) (where the # is the week number, and
first and last are your first and last names resp.) and submit the file in this assignments’ area and
uploaded into the student folder by the due date. Any necessary Visio diagrams should be
incorporated within the Word document as part of the document.
Grading

2. Details of Project Paper: You must include at least ten references. The paper should
be between 1500 to 3300 words excluding the title page content and the references page
content. At a minimum include the following:
o Detailed description of the area researched

o Technology involved in the area

o Future trends in the area

o Regulatory issues surrounding the area

o Global implications for the area