This course examines in detail key concepts of protocol design in communications networks.
OSI reference model
OSI and standardisation of network architectures: standards bodies. Functional concepts of the OSI model; layered architectures; OSI components -entities, service primitives, SAPs.
WAN Data Link Layer analysis
Data Link Layer analysis (24%)Framing, error correction and detection. WAN layer 2 performance evaluation, Stop and Wait, Go Back N, Selective Repeat. Example protocols – HDLC LAPB
Network monitoring and analysis
Network monitoring and analysis tools. Protocols and tools such as NTP, Syslog, SNMP, SPAN.
LAN Data Link layer analysis
Local Area Network architecture. Evaluation of Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. Examination of Wireless LANs - 802.11, Bridging and LAN switching, Spanning Trees. VLANs
Routing Protocols
Routing protocols and their concepts. Links state (OSPF) and Distance vector (RIP) routing protocols. Algorithms used such as Bellman Ford Moore and Dijkstra
Traffic Engineering
Littles law. Basic Queuing Theory, Kendalls notation and the M/M/1 queue
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 30 |
| Formal Examination | 70 |