Computer Network Technology

Credits
6
Types
Specialisation compulsory (Information Technologies)
Requirements
  • Precorequisite: XC
Department
AC
Web
https://atenea.upc.edu/
The course Technology Computer Networks (TXC) provides the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the design of connectivity solutions between computers and computing devices beyond the local environment. The base of the course is the study of architecture, communication protocols and the fundamentals of data transmission technologies that are supported in the wide area computer networks, and in particular the Internet.

Teachers

Person in charge

  • Davide Careglio (careglio@ac.upc.edu)

Others

  • Evgenii Vinogradov (evgenii.vinogradov@upc.edu)

Weekly hours

Theory
3
Problems
0
Laboratory
1
Guided learning
0
Autonomous learning
6

Competences

Technical Competences

Common technical competencies

  • CT6 - To demonstrate knowledge and comprehension about the internal operation of a computer and about the operation of communications between computers.
    • CT6.1 - To demonstrate knowledge and capacity to manage and maintain computer systems, services and applications.
    • CT6.4 - To demonstrate knowledge and capacity to apply the characteristics, functionalities and structure of the Distributed Systems and Computer and Internet Networks guaranteeing its use and management, as well as the design and implementation of application based on them.
  • CT7 - To evaluate and select hardware and software production platforms for executing applications and computer services.
    • CT7.1 - To demonstrate knowledge about metrics of quality and be able to use them.
    • CT7.3 - To determine the factors that affect negatively the security and reliability of a hardware/software system, and minimize its effects.

    • Technical Competences of each Specialization

    Information technology specialization

  • CTI1 - To define, plan and manage the installation of the ICT infrastructure of the organization.
    • CTI1.1 - To demonstrate understanding the environment of an organization and its needs in the field of the information and communication technologies.
    • CTI1.2 - To select, design, deploy, integrate and manage communication networks and infrastructures in a organization.
  • CTI2 - To guarantee that the ICT systems of an organization operate adequately, are secure and adequately installed, documented, personalized, maintained, updated and substituted, and the people of the organization receive a correct ICT support.
    • CTI2.1 - To manage, plan and coordinate the management of the computers infrastructure: hardware, software, networks and communications.
    • CTI2.3 - To demonstrate comprehension, apply and manage the reliability and security of the computer systems (CEI C6).
  • CTI3 - To design solutions which integrate hardware, software and communication technologies (and capacity to develop specific solutions of systems software) for distributed systems and ubiquitous computation devices.
    • CTI3.1 - To conceive systems, applications and services based on network technologies, taking into account Internet, web, electronic commerce, multimedia, interactive services and ubiquitous computation.
    • CTI3.3 - To design, establish and configure networks and services.

    • Transversal Competences

    Reasoning

  • G9 [Avaluable] - Capacity of critical, logical and mathematical reasoning. Capacity to solve problems in her study area. Abstraction capacity: capacity to create and use models that reflect real situations. Capacity to design and perform simple experiments and analyse and interpret its results. Analysis, synthesis and evaluation capacity.
    • G9.3 - Critical capacity, evaluation capacity.

    • Objectives

    1. Applying international regulation and standardization in computer networking technology
      Related competences: CTI1.2, CTI2.1, CTI1.1, CTI2.3,
    2. Designing systems interconnection networks modeled by TCP / IP
      Related competences: CTI3.1, CTI3.3, CTI1.2,
    3. Know the security problems in computer networks and be able to find solutions to protect them.
      Related competences: CTI3.1, CTI2.1, CT6.4, CTI2.3,
    4. Apply and understand the various methods of switching levels 1, 2 and 3 of computer networks
      Related competences: CTI2.1, CTI2.3,
    5. Identify the applications of TDM multiplexing systems
      Related competences: CT6.1, CT6.4,
    6. Determine the requirements of the asynchronous transmission of packets over synchronous and asynchronous transmission networks
      Related competences: CT7.1, CT7.3,
    7. Design of link layer protocols
      Related competences: CT7.1, CT7.3,
    8. Differentiate the use of several existing broadcast media and calculate bandwidth
      Related competences: CT6.1, CT6.4,
    9. Calculate the efficiency and transmission capabilities of synchronization systems
      Related competences: CTI1.2, CT7.1, CT7.3, CTI1.1,
    10. Calculate the efficiency of packet transmission networks
      Related competences: CTI1.2, CTI2.1, CTI1.1, CTI2.3,
    11. Designing networks with virtual circuits with different types of terminals and Internet access
      Related competences: CTI3.1, CTI3.3, CTI1.2, CTI1.1,
    12. Calculate the parameters of the algorithms for managing access to networks with traffic contract
      Related competences: CTI1.2, CTI2.1, CTI1.1, CTI2.3,
    13. Designing packet networks calculating the routing tables and delays
      Related competences: CTI3.1, CTI3.3, CTI1.2, CTI1.1,
    14. Identify mechanisms for managing network packet traffic and design their applications
      Related competences: CTI3.1, CTI3.3, CTI1.2, CTI1.1,
    15. Identify and analyze the protocols applied to levels 1,2 and 3 in FTTH access networks
      Related competences: CTI1.2, CT7.1, CT7.3, CTI1.1,
    16. Calculate the performance and delays in networks, using the management model of quality of service.
      Related competences: CTI1.2, CT7.1, CT7.3, CTI1.1,
    17. EExplain the technological elements involved in an mobile networks and interpret access methods
      Related competences: CTI1.2, CT7.1, CT7.3, CTI1.1,
    18. Compare features and performance between access networks
      Related competences: CTI1.2, CT7.1, CT7.3, CTI1.1,
    19. Calculate efficiency of the PON network with voice / data / image services
      Related competences: CTI1.2, CT7.1, CT7.3, CTI1.1,
    20. Designing networks with MPLS and SDN control
      Related competences: CTI3.1, CTI3.3, CTI1.2,
    21. Programming and sizing the capabilities of cellular networks with different technologies
      Related competences: CTI3.1, CTI3.3, CTI1.2,
    22. Apply the use of Ethernet and Gigabit standards in the design of backbone networks
      Related competences: CTI3.1, CTI3.3, CTI1.2,
    23. Designing IP networks with quality of service
      Related competences: CTI3.1, CTI3.3, G9.3, CTI1.2, CTI1.1,
    24. Understand the design parameters to provide QoS in the Internet.
      Related competences: CTI3.1, CTI3.3, G9.3, CT6.1, CT6.4, CT7.3, CTI2.3,

    Contents

    1. Introduction
      Regulation of international computer networks and their involvement in technology. Analysis of the importance of IP networks on network technology and Internet architecture model.
    2. Network security
      Firewall. Secure network protocols. Intruder detection systems. Virtual private networks.
    3. Internet core networks
      Technologies for backbone networks. Protocols and services. Optical networks. Control and management. MPLS. SDN/NFV.
    4. Quality of Service on the Internet
      QoS definition. Services and technologies for QoS on the Internet. IntServ and DiffServ models and protocols. Techniques for traffic shaping and policing. Queue policies.
    5. Wired Internet Networks access
      Fiber optic network access technologies (FTTH, WDM-PON and EP2P)
    6. 5G networks
      Fundamentals of 5G networks, system architecture, radio access technologies, 1G-5G evolution, network slicing, deployment models, representative use cases.

    Activities

    Activity Evaluation act


    Development Topic 1: Introduction

    Attendance for the comprehension of regulations on computer networking technologies.
    Objectives: 1
    Contents:
    Theory
    3h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    5h

    Development of unit 2: Security in networks

    Learning the concepts and objectives associated with this topic.
    Objectives: 3
    Contents:
    Theory
    9h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    4h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    16h

    Development Topic 3: Core Networks

    Attendance for the acquisition of knowledge about switching techniques in computer networks.
    Objectives: 10 12 13 20 22
    Contents:
    Theory
    9.5h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    4h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    16h

    First Test

    Assessment test that includes the resolution of exercises and questions.
    Objectives: 1 2 5 6 7 9 12 13 14 16 18 19 23 24
    Week: 8
    Theory
    0h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    0h

    Development Topic 4: QoS in the Internet.

    Class attendance for the acquisition of knowledge about technologies to promote QoS on the Internet.
    Objectives: 23 24
    Contents:
    Theory
    9h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    2h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    14h

    Development Topic 5: Wired Internet networks access

    Attendance for the acquisition of knowledge about network access technologies as Fiber optic network access technologies (FTTH, WDM-PON and EP2P). Related regulations and protocols
    Objectives: 8 12 15 16 17 18 19 21 22
    Contents:
    Theory
    4h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    2h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    8h

    Development of unit 6: 5G networks

    Attendance in class for the acquisition of knowledge about 5G technologies.
    Objectives: 1 4 17 18 21
    Contents:
    Theory
    8.5h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    3h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    15h

    Second test

    Assessment test that includes the resolution of exercises and questions.
    Objectives: 3 7 10 11 12 13 14 16 20 22
    Week: 14
    Theory
    0h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    0h

    Teaching methodology

    The proposed teaching methodology is based on programming centered learning, cooperative learning, and the Virtual Campus.

    1. Activities focused on acquiring theoretical knowledge.
    2. Activities (sessions) focused on the laboratory where knowledge for experimentation is acquired.
    3. Problem-solving and laboratory activities.

    Theory:
    - Theoretical sessions (2 hours/week)
    - Supplemented with sessions applying concepts through problem-solving (1 hour/week).

    Laboratory:
    - 2 or 3-hour classes every two weeks in which students will learn to plan and design an important aspect of network technologies. The objective is to practically reinforce aspects covered in theory.
    - Preparation: reading the assignment and additional documentation
    - Group work in the laboratory
    - Delivery of the report on the session

    Evaluation methodology

    The evaluation of the students and their use of the subject will follow the following criteria:

    LAB: Laboratory: 30%. This includes the assessment of the laboratory sessions. Each laboratory session will have its own report, which must be submitted at the end of the session. Attendance at laboratory classes is compulsory in order to be assessed. The LAB grade will be the average of the grades obtained in each laboratory session.

    CO1 and CO2: mod-terms: 70%. The average between the first CO1 mid-term and the second CO2 mid-term will be valued. There is no Final Exam.

    The final grade NF = 0.30*LAB + 0.70*(CO1+CO2)/2

    The evaluation of the transversal competence G9.3 will be based on the final grade. All these evaluation acts are reflected in the note (NF) described above. The grade for the competition will be calculated as follows:
    A >=8, B >=6, C >=4, D <4.

    Bibliography

    Basic

    Complementary

    Previous capacities

    Least to read English technical documentation, manuals and standards. Basic knowledge on computer networks. Basic knowledge of operating systems.