It does not presume prior experience or knowledge of data networks. The topics of this course continually evolve as new technologies emerge. Students learn to internetwork campus buildings with bridges, routers, LANs and a variety of Ethernet media types. Campus networking with high-speed LANs is also covered. Next, the course addresses the interconnection of campus networks with a variety of wide-area networking technologies.
Practitioners lead some of the lectures, presenting case studies of contemporary data networks.
Students also explore cutting-edge networking technology through selected readings in trade journals. Whereas TCOM 500 focuses on contemporary networking technology, this course examines the underlying concepts and analytical models of networks. Network congestion is studied in-depth, including a variety of queuing models that aid engineers to design networks with high throughputs and low delays. Classical error-control schemes, which combine error detection and retransmissions, are discussed and analyzed. This course examines the design of the next generation of high speed integrated data networks, that are to succeed today's Internet and provide support for a wide range of multimedia applications.