Course Guide

Spring 2024

BSDS/AI –IV
Computer Networks

Dr. Fawad Salam Khan

Assistant Professor
 Computer Networks
Course Code: CS360 Class: BSDS/AI
Credit Hours: 3 Semester 4th
Instructor: Dr. Fawad Salam Khan Pre-Requisites: -
Email: fawad.salam@mail.au.edu.pk Classroom: CT – 402 & 403
Office: C-Block, 3rd Floor, Faculty Offices Lecture Days: Mon. – Thu.
Phone: - Consulting Hours: On Appointment
Lab Engineer: Umme-e Sadima Knowledge Group:
Lab Engineer NA Update on GCR: As per weekly
Email: schedule

Course Description:
This course will provide students with an overview of the basic concepts and
fundamentals of computer networks, their architectures, transmission media, and
layered models for data communication. This course will help students to develop basic
understanding of how machines/computers/devices communicate in a network along
with functionality of different layers of communication model. Topics to be covered
include data communication concepts and techniques in layered network architecture,
error detection and correction mechanisms in Data Link layer, multiple access
protocols, IP addressing, routing in Network layer, different routing protocols,
concepts of process-to-process delivery in Transport layer, congestion control
techniques, different application layer protocols, network security, and some modern
techniques of network communications.
Course Objective:
This course is designed to understand the fundamental concepts of computer
networks and communication. At the end of the course, the students will be able to:
1. Build an understanding of the fundamental concepts of data communication and
computer networking
2. Analyze techniques for flow and error control and process-to-process delivery
mechanism
3. Understand how transmission errors are detected and corrected
4. Learn mechanisms for collision detection and avoidance when many stations
share a single channel
5. Know about class addressing, routing mechanisms, and different routing
protocols
6. Describe routing mechanisms and different user’s services at transport and
application layer
Textbook:
Data Communications and Networking (4th or latest Edition) By: Behrouz A.
Forouzan
Reference Book(s):
Computer Networking, a top-down approach featuring the Internet, By:
J. K. Kurose, K. W. Ross
Computer Networks, 5th Edition, By: Andrew S. Tanenbaum

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Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):
No. CLO Statement PLO BT Domain
Level*
1 Describe key terminologies and technologies of computer 1 C2
networks and data communications
2 Explain the services and functions provided by different layers 3 C2
in OSI and TCP/IP model
3 Analyze working of key technologies, algorithms, and 4 C4
protocols in computer communication and networks
4 Discuss various networking/internetworking devices and 1 C2
protocols, and their functions in a computer network
* BT = Bloom’s Taxonomy, C = Cognitive Domain, P = Psychomotor Domain, A = Affective Domain

Mapping of CLOs to Program Learning Outcomes

Professionalism and
Modern Tool Usage
Design/Developme
Solving Computing

Life-long Learning
Problem Analysis

Communication
Knowledge for

nt of Solutions

Individual and

Computing
Teamwork
Education
Academic

Society

Ethics

CLOs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CLO-1 C2
CLO-2 C2
CLO-3 C4
CLO-4 C2

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 Topics Covered with CLOs
Week Day Topic CLO Assignment Quiz
Introduction to Computer Networks and Data
Communication
01 01 Computer Networks: What, why, and how? 1 01
02 Introduction to Data Communication
03 Network Categories
Computer Networks
01 Network Topologies: Pros and Cons
02 1 01
02 Network Types and Devices
03 Transmission Media for Computer Networks
Basic Models of Computer Networks
01 OSI Model
03 2 02
02 OSI Model
03 TCP/IP Model, OSI vs. TCP/IP Model
Data and Signals
01 Analog vs. Digital Signals
04 2
02 Signal Transmission Impairments
03 Data Rate Limits and Network Performance
Digital Transmission
01 Digital Transmission: Introduction and Basics
05 2 02
02 Digital Transmission: D-to-D
03 Digital Transmission: A-to-D
Analog Transmission and Switching
01 Analog Transmission: D-to-A
06 02 Analog Transmission: A-to-A 2 03
03 Switching Techniques: Circuit Switching and
Packet Switching
Error Detection and Correction
01 Types of Errors in Data Communication
07 02 Error Detection Algorithms: Simple Parity 3 03
Check, 2D Parity Check
03 Error Detection Algorithms: CRC, Checksum
Error Detection and Correction
01 Error Correction Strategies/Algorithms
08 02 Single Bit Error Correction, Redundancy, 3
Hamming Distance
03 Burst Error Correction
Mid Exam
Flow Control
09 01 Introduction to Flow Control 3
02 Stop and Wait Mechanism

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 03 Sliding Window Method for Flow Control
Error Control
01 Error Control: Stop and Wait ARQ
10 3 04
02 Error Control: Go Back N ARQ
03 Error Control: Selective Repeat ARQ
Collision Detection and Prevention
01 Multiple Access: Random Access, ALOHA
11 4
02 Pure ALOHA, Slotted ALOHA
03 Multiple Access: CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA
Controlled Access
01 Token Passing, Reservation, and Polling
12 4 05
02 Ethernet and Token Ring
03 Networking/Internetworking Devices
Network Addressing and Subnetting
01 Addressing: IP Addressing
13 4 04
02 Subnetting
03 IP: IPv4 vs. IPv6
Network Protocols
01 Routing Protocols: OSPF, RIP
14 4
02 UDP, TCP, DHCP
03 FTP, SNMP, ARP, ICMP
Network Security
01 Introduction to Cryptography and its Types
15 3 05
02 Private-Key Encryption and Decryption
03 Private-Key Cryptography Algorithms
Network Security
01 Public-Key Cryptography
16 3
02 Digital Signatures
03 Public-Key Cryptography Algorithms
Final Exam

Tools / Software Requirements

01 Matlab/Microsoft Visual Studio
02 Cisco Packet Tracer

Grading Policy:
No. Weightage Policy
Quizzes: 05 10% The quizzes may be announced or unannounced. The
questions will be framed to test the concepts involved
in the last few lectures.
Assignments: 05 10% The GCR will be the primary source for
announcements and submitting assignments.
Projects: 01 10% Team-based project assignment and evaluation will be
carried out. The project will be assigned after midterm
exam.

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Midterm Exam: 01 25% As per AU Policy
Final Exam: 01 45% As per AU Policy

Lab Conduct: The labs will be conducted for three hours every week. A lab handout will be
given in advance for study and analysis. The lab handouts will also be placed
on GCR. The students are to submit their lab tasks at the end of lab for
evaluation. Students may also be evaluated by oral viva during the lab. Lab
reports are also required to be maintained by the students.
Plagiarism: Collaboration and group wok is encouraged but each student is required to
submit his/her own contribution(s). Your writings must be your own
thoughts. You must cite and acknowledge all sources of information in your
assignments. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated and will lead to
strict penalties including zero marks in assignments as well as referral to the
Dean for appropriate action(s).

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