Access Networks and Shared Media

This course introduces the basic principles of communication networks and services (protocol architecture, routing, congestion control, etc.) showing by means of application to real networks. The main objective of this course is to analyse both architectural principles and the mechanisms that are required in order to exchange data between computers, work stations, servers and other data processing devices. To achieve this objective, the student must acquire specific knowledge and capacities. Regarding knowledge, at the end of the course the student will be able to: - Understand the network concept and the different types of existing networks - Understand the Internet network layer, IPv4: know the datagram format and the addressing model. ARP. ICMP. - Understanding the IPv6 protocol: header format and addressing. - Understand basic address management tools, NATs and DHCP. - Understand routing protocols and algorithms. - Understand Internet routing protocols by means of an example: RIP. - Understand Internet transport layer: TCP and UDP. Regarding capacities, at the end of the course the student will be able to: - Define the IP addressing (IPv4 and IPv6) for a certain network. Design that network architecture. Properly configure the network layer of the different hosts. Properly configure the routers to support the communication of local area networks. - Understand routing protocols. - Understand and configure NATs. - Understand and analyse TCP behaviour in diverse situations, scalability, interactive traffic, congestion.

This is a course on communications through the Internet where basic technologies to interconnect different computers are studied. The programme is divided in three parts: FIRST PART: Introduction to computer networks and Internet. I.1 Network concept and types. I.2 Internet structure. SECOND PART: Network layer II.1 Basic network layer concepts. II.2 IPv4 introduction: IPv4 header, fragmentation, ICMP. II.3 IPv4 addressing: IP network design, IP address management, DHCP, NAT, motivation for IPv6. II.4 IPv4 over Ethernet, ARP. II.5 Introduction to IPv6: header format, addressing, Neighbor Discovery. II.6 Network routing: distance vector protocols, links state protocols and path vector protocols. Dijkstra and Bellman-Ford algorithms. II.7 Routing in Internet: intra-domain routing and inter-domain routing, RIP. THIRD PART: Transport layer III.1 Basic transport layer concepts. III.2 UDP. III.3 TCP: segment structure, error control, connection management, flow control, and congestion control.

The teaching methodology based on active learning will include: (1) Lectures. The course has a basic reference book (see bibliography). The student will know exactly what are the learning objectives for every class and where in the reference book can they be located. Additional questions will also be provided to test the knowledge acquired after this study. In the group classes the concepts related to the learning objectives will be reviewed interactively with students participation. The course will also propose complementary bibliography to allow students to complete and detail particular chapters. (2) Laboratory classes where students will set up router and host configurations and where network and transport layers will be analysed. (3) Guided use cases resolution in small groups to help students acquire the required skills. (4) Exercises and study case solved by students as personal work so that they will be able to auto-evaluate acquired skills. (5) Group discussion of homework that will allow to develop the skill of analysing and communicating the relevant information so as to solve problems.