COMPUTER NETWORKS
Stampa
Enrollment year
2019/2020
Academic year
2021/2022
Regulations
DM270
Academic discipline
ING-INF/05 (DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL,COMPUTER AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Course
ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Curriculum
Elettronica
Year of study
Period
1st semester (27/09/2021 - 21/01/2022)
ECTS
6
Lesson hours
56 lesson hours
Language
Italian
Activity type
WRITTEN TEST
Teacher
MASSARI LUISA - 6 ECTS
Prerequisites
The course provides an introduction on computer networks, and it is attended by students with different backgrouds (electronics, computer science, bioengineering). Hence no particular knowledge in the field of computer networks or programming skills are required, but a basic knowledge of mathematical analysis and binary computing.
Learning outcomes
The aim of this course is to introduce key concepts and principles of computer networks; the objective is to give the student familiarity with the behaviour of modern data transmission technologies and the ability of analysing their performance. The Internet architecture and protocols will be used as the primary examples to illustrate the fundamental principles of computer networking.
Lab activity will be on tools for network traffic monitoring and analysis. These activities will allow students to verify theory as well as to gain skills in analysis and configuration of computer networks.
Course contents
Introduction to computer networks: elements of a network, circuit switching and packet switching, access to the network and transmission media.
Performance: delay and losses in computer networks
Layered communication architectures, definition of protocol, Internet architecture
Basics on application layer.
Transport layer: services, UDP and TCP protocols. Flow control and congestion control. Performance problems: latency, throughput and utilization.
Network layer: switching and forwarding, data plane and control plane. Routing algorithms. Internet protocol, IP addressing and routing in Internet. IPv6
Network monitoring: techniques and tools.
Teaching methods
Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 38
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 14
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in laboratory): 8

Lectures are followed by practical classes during which students apply and verify theory to practical examples of computer networks architectures.
Reccomended or required readings
J. Kurose, K. Ross. Reti di calcolatori ed Internet - Un approccio top-down. 7 ed. Pearson. 2017 (english version J. Kurose, K. Ross. Computer Networking - A Top-Down Approach, 8th ed. Pearson, 2017).

Lecture slides available on the course Web site.
Assessment methods
Final exam consists of a written test, containing questions and exercises.
Tests will be proposed, whose results will be used as a bonus to be added to the exam vote.
Further information
Sustainable development goals - Agenda 2030