Unit information: Advanced Networks in 2014/15

Unit name	Advanced Networks
Unit code	EENGM4211
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Kaleshi
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	EENG34200 or EENGM4200
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

Knowledge of networking tools and technologies is essential to the understanding of modern telecommunication systems. Networking deals with keeping systems connected over various transmission technologies, and how to provide this service fast, efficiently, and reliably. Networks are very dynamic systems - new transmission technologies are continuously introduced, providing better support for the network system as such, but also making certain requirements upon it. In addition, the industry anticipates an even larger expansion in the provision of advanced services to subscribers in the corporate and residential domains, such as networked digital television or multimedia conferencing. The subject of this course is how the network system provides communication between systems to deliver content, both in traditional fixed and newer wireless systems, and how all this is changing.

Advanced networks

• Internet Routing: Describe the major routing/switching mechanisms (algorithms and protocols – OSPF, RIP, BGP) used in routing in the Internet. Compare routing and switching. Illustrate the above through examples;
• Multicast distribution (routing – MOSPF, DVMRP, PIM DM/SM);
• Congestion control and Quality of Service (QoS) support: TCP behaviour, resource sharing, and RSVP, IP QoS and service levels, Integrated Services framework (IntServ), Differentiated Services framework (DiffServ);
• Real-time applications and interactivity: network protocols supporting these (RSVP, IntServ, DiffServ): Identify real-time applications, user requirements and basic real-time network delivery requirements. Understand how real-time content is distributed in the Internet. RTP/RTCP: how the protocol design has met the identified requirements. Understanding of the QoS issues associated with real-time content delivery;
• Wireless networking and mobility management in IP network systems (Mobile IP, ad-hoc networking, address auto-configuration).

Intended Learning Outcomes

Project Phase

The project contains a research or investigative element which allows you to demonstrate individual talent and intellectual ability. It attempts to mirror a research and/or development project of the type you might encounter upon graduation and as such contains elements of project planning and budgetary control. The project report also provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate report structuring and writing skills.

Teaching Information

Combination of lectures and laboratory sessions

Assessment Information

Terminal Exam 100% 2hrs

Reading and References

• Huitema, C., Routing in the Internet, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall, 2000, ISBN, 0130226475 (chapter on routing)

• Kurose, F. and K.W. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-down Approach Featuring the Internet, 2nd edition, Addison Wesley, 2002

• Sanjoy, P., Multicasting on the Internet and its Applications, Kluwer, 1998 (chapter on multicast routing)

• Selected tutorial papers – references will be given in lectures.

• Tanenbaum, A., Computer Networks, Prentice Hall, ISBN, 0130661023 (chapter on congestion control)