Universidad de Jaén

This course gives a global sight of the protocols architecture of a network. The main Internet protocols are described, listing the main advantages and disadvantages against other networks. Basic features of local area networks technologies are described within the low levels of the protocol stack. The main standardization organisms within the field of telecommunication are listed. In addition, the main contributions of these organisms related to the protocols and interfaces definitions are presented.

The practical part of this course is based on dealing with aspects such as: structured cabling basics and their analysis using fluke network devices; configuration of Internet access in wired and wireless networks; design, interconnection and configuration of local area networks,  and the analysis of network traffic generated by different applications (web browsers, e-mail clients, file transfer applications, etc.)

LECTURES

Lesson 1.  Basic concepts of communication networks.

 -       Definitions of communication networks, services, types of interface and protocol stacks. Types of networks: LAN, MAN, WAN. Basics concept Network structure: data terminal equipments and data communication equipments. Introduction to IP and LAN. Connection oriented and connection-less oriented services. Switching techniques.  Examples of network technologies.

-    Definition of access and transport networks and main differences description.

-   Communication channels characterization (Bandwidth, capacity, BER, etc).  Basic concepts and muliplexation techniques.

  Lesson 2. Networks standardization.

 -       Evolution of communication protocols standardization. Main standardization organisms. Protocol stacks: OSI  and TCP/IP reference models and main protocol standards. Main funcionality of link layer protocols and features of interface standards for the access to communication networks. 

 Lesson 3. Basics concepts of IP protocol.

- IPv4 introducction. Classful and classless (CDIR) IP addressing. Network sizing and subnetting process based on using the subnet mask. IPv4 limitations and introduction to different soluctions (private addresses, proxies and network gateways, NAT,..  ).

  Lesson 4. Introduction to local area networks

 -      LAN and Ethernet technologies. Concepts of broadcast and switching.  Interconnection equipments. LLC and MAC sublevels of the protocol stack.

 Lesson 5. Introduction to telecommunication services and communication protocols.  

 -       Definition of telecommunication services. Classifications. Basic Internet services:   WEB, FTP and E-MAIL. Multimedia services. Examples and descriptions of application protocols.  

Seminars

Seminar 1 (Lesson 3).   Fixed and mobile wireless systems.

Seminar 2 (Lesson 5).   Evolution of Internet services- From Web 1.0 to Web 3.0. Services of New Generation Networks (NGN).

LAB SESSIONS

Practice 1.   Familiarization with lab networks and structured cabling.

Get to know the different types of  existing networks in the lab, as well as the interconnection sockets and equipments that will be used to interconnect terminals and networks.

NIC configuration in different operative systems to allow Internet access in the lab, for the following scenarios:

a)   PC with Microsoft Windows connected to a wired LAN and to a wireless LAN.

b)   PC with Linux connected to a wired LAN and to a wirless LAN.

 Practice 2.  Cable types and interconnection equipments.

 Analysis and learning of the different interface used in nowadays networks.  Physics features, standards and bandwidths. Performance evaluation and state of the lab telecommunications cabling infrastructure through Fluke Networks devices.

Practice 3.  LAN Configuration.

Different configurations of a LAN (wired and wireless interfaces). Analysis of differences in traffic between networks interconnected through a hub or switch.  Networks interconnection, Internet access, and configuration of interconnection equipments.

Practice 4.  Network applications configuration.

Configuration and use in different operating systems of Internet services or applications, such as a proxy to share the Internet connection and different client/server applications that supply e-mail, web, and ftp access. Evaluation of a dhcp server benefits and analysis of its configurable properties.  

Practice 5.  Network traffic analysis.

Use of a network protocol analyzer such as WireShark to evaluate the traffic generated in wireless and wired networks.  Analysis of protocol request and answer commands in different communication scenarios.  Protocol data unit description and fields analysis of protocol control information.  Identification of the main support protocols involved in typical network traffic.  

Practice 6.   Subnetting and use of Packet Tracer tool. 

Administering a local area network (interconnection of two subnets and Internet access) following two approaches. First, network design and simulation through the use of Cisco Packet tracer, and second, lab implementation (router configuration with commands) and traffic characterization. 

Lecture or master classes (big groups): Introductory activities, Master classes about theorical contents or case studies resolutions. Special lectures or talks with experts (1.5 hours per week).

Lecture (Exercises/problems): Exercises/case studies correction in groups 0.5 Hours per week

Lab Sessions: Active participation developing guided practices and proposed
Hours per week

Seminars: Doubts about practical deliverables or some experts talks about specific topics

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

At the end of each semester the student have to choose between two types of evaluation modalities: continuous and no-continuous. They  have to indicate their election in the final exam.

The CONTINUOUS EVALUATION modality consists of the following activities:

-          Attendance and Active participation: 10%. The level of attendance will be computed considering practical (reduced groups) and theoretical/problems sessions (lectures with theory groups).  The level of active participation will be evaluated via the students' participation and autonomous work in various activities proposed.

-          Theoretical concepts: 30%. At the end of the semester (final exam date proposed by the center), there is a written exam about theoretical questions developed during lectures.  In addition, the continuous evaluation related to the questions proposed as a autonomous work (deliverables) will be measured through ILIAS (LMS).

-          Exercises and case studies: 30%. At the end of the semester, there is a written final exam with the problems and practical cases studied in lectures. In addition, as part of the continuous evaluation, there is also an exam about the problems and questions included in the problems/questions lists provided through the LMS.  

-          Lab/computer practical sessions: 30%. This item takes into account:  development of the design practices through an inform and an oral exam; the autonomous work proposed in each practical session evaluated with questionnaires at the beginning of the respective lab sessions, and a written exam about the other proposed practical sessions.

The grade system is ruled by RD 1125/2003 of 5th September, which established the European Credits Sytems for the official university studies.  

There is a final written exam that will take place in the corresponding dates established by the center. This exam evaluates lecture part (S2 and S3) of the subject and the student should probe to have acquired its competences and skills. The weight of this exam on the final mark is 50 % of S2 and S3.  

In order to pass the course, a mark equal or higher than 4 out of 10 must be obtained in both the lectures and practical sessions.  Moreover, to pass the course the student should obtain an overall mark higher than 5.0, taking into account the previous conditions.

The marks obtained through the continuous evaluation will be kept until the examination session Extraordinary 2.

The NON- CONTINUOS evaluation is ruled by the following conditions:

There is a final exam with the following weight: 70%  lectures (theoretical sessions- S1 and problems-S2) and 30% for the practical/computer sessions (S4).  

In order to pass the course, a mark equal or higher than 5 out of 10 must be obtained in both the lectures and practical sessions.  Moreover, to pass the course the student should obtain an overall mark higher than 5.0, taking into account the previous conditions.

The marks obtained in the part passed will be kept until the examination session Extraordinary 2.