ITF20205 Data Communication (Autumn 2014)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Compulsory course in:

• Bachelor Programme in Computer Engineering
• Bachelor Programme in Computer Engineering, Y-veien
• Bachelor Programme in Computer Engineering, Tress
• Bachelor Programme in Computer Science

Elective course in:

• Bachelor Programme in Information Systems

Lecture Semester

Bachelor Programme in Computer Science: semester 3 (autumn)
Bachelor Programme in Computer Engineering: semester 3 (autumn)
Bachelor Programme in Computer Engineering, Y-veien: semester 3 (autumn)
Bachelor Programme in Computer Engineering, Tress: semester 3 (autumn)
Bachelor Programme in Information Systems: semester 5 (autumn)
Bachelor Programme in Information Systems, specialisation in IT Management: semester 5 (autumn)
Bachelor Programme in Information Systems, specialisation in Web Development: semester 5 (autumn)

Total workload:

4 hours + exercises per week.

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge

On completion of the course, the students:

• understand the underlying principles of layering
• are familiar with the main functions of each layer in the TCP/IP stack
• know how a protocol works
• know about IP addressing
• can compare different transfer media

Skills

On completion of the course, the students can:

• set up and configure a local area network (LAN)
• create multiple subnets of a larger LAN
• perform basic programming of Cisco routers
• select a suitable transfer medium
• use and configure TCP/IP on Linux

General competence

On completion of the course, the students:

• are familiar with the structure of the internet and how it works
• are familiar with the characteristics of various transfer media
• are familiar with the difference between the most commonly used protocols in the internet

Content

The fundamental characteristics of various transfer media. Electrical and fibre-optic cables, radio. Transfer media methods used in different media, such as digital coding, baseband and modulation. The functions of the different layers in the protocol stack, from layer 5 down to layer 1. LAN, WAN, wireless. Ethernet, IP, TCP, UDP. Subnetting. Routing. ADSL. Protocol structures and how they work. Error control, flow control, queue control.

Forms of teaching and learning

Lectures, exercises and lab assignments.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

• 8 exercises
• 8 lab assignments
• A group project assignment. The project assignment deals with a communication system.

The coursework requirements must be approved before students may sit the exam.

Examination

Written exam

Written exam lasting 4 hours. Letter grading scale A?F.

Support materials:

• 4 pages (A4) containing students' own notes
• non-communicating calculator
• the student's group submission for the project assignment (see Coursework requirements) is distributed at the exam.

Course evaluation

This course is evaluated as follows:

• Mid-semester evaluation (optional)
• Final evaluation (compulsory)

The course instructor prepares a course report on the basis of student feedback and on his/her own experiences of the course. Course reports are discussed with the Committee for Study Quality at the Faculty of Computer Sciences.

Literature

• "Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 6/E" av James F. Kurose og Keith W. Ross. ISBN 978-0-273-76896-8
• Compendiums