Course Outline

Main Topics

The numbers in brackets refer to the section numbers of the textbook.

0.0.1 Network Basics and Examples

Introduction to Networks: Telegraph and Telephone (1.1)
Introduction to Networks: Internet (1.1, 2.1, 7.1, 7.2)
Basic Network Classification (1.1, 7.1, 7.2 + details scattered throughout the textbook)
Basic Network Performance Quantification (1.1 + some example calculations scattered throughout the textbook)
Protocols, Services, Layering (2.1, 5.1, 8.5.2)
OSI Reference Model (2.2)
TCP/IP Overview (2.3)

0.0.2 Communication at the Physical Layer

Digitization (3.1, 3.3)
Baseband Digital Communication (3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6)
Passband Digital Communication (3.7)
Physical Media (3.8)
Error Detection and Correction (3.9)

0.0.3 Communication at the Data Link Layer

ARQ & Reliable Data Transfer (5.2)
Flow Control (5.3)
Framing (5.4)

0.0.4 Local Area Networks

Medium Access Communications (6.1, 6.2)
Ethernet (6.6, 6.7)
WiFi (6.10)
LAN Bridges and Ethernet Switches [tentative] (6.11)

0.0.5 Packet Switching Networks and Internetworking

Routing Mechanics (7.4, 7.5)
Internet Structure and Addressing (8.2.2, 8.2.3)
Internet Routing and Controls (8.2.4, 8.2.5, 8.2.6, 8.2.9)