BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE, PILANI

WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAMMES

COURSE HANDOUT
Academic Term
Course Title
Course ID No.
Instructor(s)

SECOND SEMESTER 2014-2015

Computer Networks
BITS ZC481
Dr. Lucy J. Gudino

Course Modules (add more rows as per needs)

Module
Module Title
Objectives
No
1

Introduction

To understand the basic structure of Internet and its various

components. Layered architecture of Internet and protocol
hierarchy. Internet reference models, OSI and TCP/IP

Application Layer

To familiar with various communication applications like email,

web browser, P2P, DNS and the protocols involved.

Transport Layer

To understand the end to end connectivity mechanisms i.e.

reliable and unreliable. Simple client server application design
for reliable and unreliable protocol implementation using
socket programming in C. Protocol design principles for reliable
data transfer. Case study of TCP protocol as reliable data
transfer.

Internet Routing

To understand the data packet forwarding and routing from

source to destination node. Standard routing algorithms like
Dijkstra and Distance Vector. Basic routing protocols for unicast
and multicast transmission. IP protocol and IP based
addressing mechanism.

5.

Data Link Layer

To understand the data packet movement from one node to

another. Error detection and correction mechanism to ensure
the data integrity at link level. Channel access protocols (i.e.
ALOHA, CSMA/CD) in multi-access environment. Link layer
protocols Ethernet and PPP. Link virtualization using ATM and
MPLS networks. Link layer addressing of the nodes and
protocol involved like ARP, DHCP and RARP. Working of
Interconnecting devices. Various physical media used to access
network. Line encoding techniques used to transmit the data.

6.

Network Security

To understand the cryptography applied for network security.

Text Book(s)
T1
Kurose James F and Keith W. Ross: Computer Networking: A Top-Down

Approach Featuring the Internet, Pearson Education, Fifth Edition, 2012.

Reference Book(s) & other resources
R1
Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks, Fifth Edition, Pearson Education, 2010.
R2

William Stallings, Computer Networking with Internet Protocols and Technology,

Pearson Education, 2004.

R3

L. Peterson and B. Davie, Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, Fourth Edition,

Elsevier, 2007 (Book From 24x7 Online Book)

R4

Behrouz A. Forouzan, Data Communications and Networking, Fourth Edition, The

McGraw Hill Publications, 2006

Self-Study & Contact Session Plan

Module Title: Introduction
Session 1
Topic
Topic Title
No.

Reference

1.1

Introduction to computer network and the Internet : Definition,

Uses of Computer Networks, Network Hardware, Topology,
Computer Network Classification

T1-Ch. 1.1
R3-Ch.1.1-1.2

1.2

The Network Edge: Access networks and Physical Media

T1-Ch. 1.2

1.3

The Network Core: ISPs and Internet Backbones,

T1-Ch. 1.3

Module Title: Introduction

Session 2
Topic
Topic Title
No.

Reference

2.2

Delay and Loss in Packet Switched Networks,

T1-Ch. 1.4
R3-Ch.1.5

2.3

Network Software: Protocol Hierarchies, and their Service Models.

Reference Models (OSI, TCP/IP)

T1-Ch. 1.5
R3-Ch.1.3

Module Title: Application Layer

Session 3
Topic
Topic Title
No.

Reference

3.1

Principles of Network Applications

T1-Ch. 2.1
R3-Ch.9.1

3.2

Hypertext Transfer Protocol, HTTP Message Format, Cookies,

Conditional GET.

T1-Ch. 2.2
R3-Ch.9.1

3.3

File Transfer Protocol: FTP

T1-Ch. 2.3

Module Title: Application Layer

Session 4
Topic
Topic Title
No.

Reference

4.1

Mail Transfer Protocols (SMTP, POP3, MIME)

T1-Ch. 2.4
R3-Ch.9.1

4.2

Domain Name Systems (DNS)

T1-Ch. 2.5
R3-Ch.9.1

4.3

P2P File Sharing

T1-Ch. 2.6
R3-Ch.9.4

Module Title: Transport Layer

Session 5
Topic
Topic Title
No.

Reference

5.1

Transport Layer Sevices, Multiplexing, Demultiplexing

T1-Ch. 3.1-3.2
R3-Ch.5.1

5.2

User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

T1-Ch. 3.3
R3-Ch.5.1

5.3

Principles of Reliable Data Transfer (Go-Back-N, and Selective

Repeat)

Module Title: Transport Layer

Session 6
Topic
Topic Title
No.

T1-Ch. 3.4

Reference

6.1

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): The TCP Connection, TCP T1-Ch. 3.5
segment Structure
R3-Ch.5.2

6.2

Socket Programming

Module Title: Transport Layer

Session 7
Topic
Topic Title
No.

T1. Ch. 2.7

R3-Ch. 1.4

Reference

7.1

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): RTT Estimation and Timeout

T1-Ch. 3.5
R3-Ch.5.2

7.2

TCP Flow Control.

T1-Ch. 3.5
R3-Ch.6.2

Module Title: Transport Layer

Session 8
Topic
Topic Title
No.

Reference

8.1

TCP connection management

T1-Ch. 3.5

8.2

TCP Congestion Control

T1-Ch. 3.6
R3-Ch.6.3

Session 9: Review Session

Mid-Semester Test (Closed Book) : Topics in Session 1 to 8
Module Title: Network Layer
Session 10
Topic
Topic Title
No.

Reference

10.1

Virtual Circuits and Datagram Networks, Inside a Router

T1-Ch.4.1-4.3
R3-Ch.4.1

10.2

Forwarding and Addressing in the Internet, IPv4 Addressing

T1-Ch.4.4
R3-Ch.4.1

Module Title: Network Layer

Session 11
Topic
Topic Title
No.
11.1

Sub Netting, IPv6 Addressing

Module Title: Network Layer

Session 12
Topic
Topic Title
No.
12.1

Routing Algorithms: Shortest Path, Flooding, Link State, Distance

Vector, and Hierarchical Routing.

Reference
T1-Ch.4.4
R3- Ch. 4.3

Reference
T1-Ch. 4.5
R3-Ch. 4.2

Module Title: Network Layer

Session 13
Topic
Topic Title
No.

Reference

13.1

Routing in the Internet: RIP, OSPF, Border Gateway Protocol

T1-Ch. 4.6
R3-Ch. 4.2, 4.3

13.2

Multicasting

T1-Ch. 4.7
R3-Ch. 4.4

Module Title: Data Link Layer

Session 14
Topic
Topic Title
No.

Reference

14.1

Data Link Layer Services

T1-Ch. 5.1

14.2

Error Detection and Correction Techniques (Parity Checks,

Checksums, CRC), Hamming code

T1-Ch. 5.2

Module Title: Data Link Layer

Session 15
Topic
Topic Title
No.

Reference

15.1

Multiple Access Protocol: TDM, FDM, Slotted ALOHA, Pure ALOHA, T1-Ch. 5.3
CSMA, CSMA/CD, Local Area Networks

15.2

Ethernet

T1-Ch. 5.5
R3-Ch.2.6

15.3

Point to Point Protocol. Link Virtualization: Asynchronous Transfer

Mode (ATM), Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)

T1-Ch. 5.7, 5.8

R3- Ch. 3.3

Module Title: Data Link Layer

Session 16
Topic
Topic Title
No.

Reference

16.1

Link Layer Addressing: MAC Addresses, ARP, RARP, DHCP

T1-Ch. 5.4
R3-Ch. 4.1

16.2

Interconnections: Hubs, Bridges, and Switches.

T1-Ch. 5.6
R3-Ch. 3.2

16.3

Physical Media: The theoretical basis for data communication,

Guided physical media. Line coding Schemes: NRZ, Manchester,
Differential Manchester

R3-Ch. 2.1-2.2
Lecture Notes

Module Title: Network Security

Session 17
Topic
Topic Title
No.
17.1

Principles, Symmetric and Asymmetric encryption, Confidentiality,

Authenticity, Integrity and Non-repudiation

Reference
T1: Ch. 8.1-8.4
Lecture Notes

Session 18: Review Session

Evaluation Scheme:
Legend: EC = Evaluation Component; AN = After Noon Session; FN = Fore Noon Session
No
Name
Type
Durati Weigh Day, Date, Session, Time
on
t
EC-1

Quiz-I

Online

15%

February 1-10, 2015

Quiz-II

March 1-10, 2015

Quiz-III

April 1-10, 2015

EC-2

Mid-Semester Test

Closed
Book

EC-3

Comprehensive Exam Open

Book

2
hours

35%

22/02/2015 (AN) 2 PM 4 PM

3
hours

50%

19/04/2015 (AN) 2 PM 5 PM

Syllabus for Mid-Semester Test (Closed Book): Topics in Session Nos. 1 to 8

Syllabus for Comprehensive Exam (Open Book): All topics (Session Nos. 1 to 18)
Important links and information:
Elearn portal: https://elearn.bits-pilani.ac.in
Students are expected to visit the Elearn portal on a regular basis and stay up to date with the
latest announcements and deadlines.
Contact sessions: Students should attend the online lectures as per the schedule provided on
the Elearn portal.
Evaluation Guidelines:
1. EC-1 consists of three Quizzes. Students will attempt them through the course pages on
the Elearn portal. Announcements will be made on the portal, in a timely manner.
2. For Closed Book tests: No books or reference material of any kind will be permitted.
3. For Open Book exams: Use of books and any printed / written reference material (filed
or bound) is permitted. However, loose sheets of paper will not be allowed. Use of
calculators is permitted in all exams. Laptops/Mobiles of any kind are not allowed.
Exchange of any material is not allowed.
4. If a student is unable to appear for the Regular Test/Exam due to genuine exigencies,
the student should follow the procedure to apply for the Make-Up Test/Exam which will
be made available on the Elearn portal. The Make-Up Test/Exam will be conducted only
at selected exam centres on the dates to be announced later.
It shall be the responsibility of the individual student to be regular in maintaining the self study
schedule as given in the course handout, attend the online lectures, and take all the prescribed
evaluation components such as Assignment/Quiz, Mid-Semester Test and Comprehensive Exam
according to the evaluation scheme provided in the handout.