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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2011/2012
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Informatics : Informatics

Postgraduate Course: Computer Networking (Level 11) (INFR11049)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Informatics CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits10
Home subject areaInformatics Other subject areaNone
Course website http://www.inf.ed.ac.uk/teaching/courses/cn Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionComputer networking is a major area of interest in practical computer science. This course aims to give students a perspective on the many and diverse techniques and structures used in communications networks. Additionally it covers recent developments in the area and future trends.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Computer Communications and Networks (INFR09027)
Co-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students also take Distributed Systems (Level 11) (INFR11022)
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Computer Networking (Level 10) (INFR10011)
Other requirements For Informatics PG and final year MInf students only, or by special permission of the School. Students are also assumed to have basic knowledge of Java programming.
Additional Costs None
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1) WebCT enabled:  No Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
No Classes have been defined for this Course
First Class Week 1, Monday, 10:00 - 10:50, Zone: Central. Bristo Sq 7, LT1
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours:Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)2:00
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1 - Knowledge of key concepts, protocols and algorithms in networking.
2 - An understanding of the complexity of networks, their structure and utility.
3 - An insight into likely future developments in the field of networking.
4 - The ability to write and present clear and concise descriptions of complex issues.
Assessment Information
Written Examination 75
Assessed Assignments 25
Oral Presentations 0

Assessment
One submission is required. This will be an in-depth technical report on a topic of protocols and software that enables convergence in all-IP networks in the telecommunications industry.
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus * Introduction: overview of current network structures; message, circuit and packet switching. Influencing factors: technology, regulation, standards and market forces.
* Applications and layered architectures: web browsing, email; the OSI Reference Model.
* Properties of media: twisted pair, co-axial cable, optical fibre, radio. Multiplexing: frequency-division; time-division, CDMA, WDM.
* SONET. Telephone network switches and signalling. Traffic and routing control. Cellular & Satellite phone networks.
* Peer-to-Peer protocol service models; ARQ protocols: Stop & Wait, Go-Back-N, Selective Repeat; transmission efficiency.
* Routing algorithms: static and dynamic; centralised and distributed; link state and distance vector routing; Bellman-Ford; Dijkstra; Flooding. Interior and Exterior Internet routing protocols.
* Traffic Management and Congestion control.
* TCP/IP architecture; IP packets, addressing, routing; IPv4 & IPv6. Voice over IP.
* ATM Networks: Adaptation Layers; Quality of Service parameters. Network management.
* Wireless networks: 802.11, Bluetooth, GSM/GPRS/UMTS.

Relevant QAA Computing Curriculum Sections: Computer Communications, Computer Networks
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list * James Kurose, Keith Ross, "Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet", 3rd Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2005, ISBN0321269764
* Leon-Garcia & Widjaja, "Communications Networks: Fundamental Concepts & Key Architectures", McGraw-Hill, 2003, 0-07-242349-8.
* Tanenbaum, "Computer Networks", 4th Edition, Pearson Education, 2003, 0-13-038488-7.
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Lectures 20
Tutorials 0
Timetabled Laboratories 0
Non-timetabled assessed assignments 30
Private Study/Other 50
Total 100
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Michael Rovatsos
Tel: (0131 6)51 3263
Email: mrovatso@inf.ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Kate Weston
Tel: (0131 6)50 2701
Email: Kate.Weston@ed.ac.uk
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© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 6:17 am