Unit information for 2008:

Today it is far more likely that a computer is connected to a computer network than not. Moreover, as computer networks become increasingly faster, more reliable, and more pervasive, the way in which we view computer systems is rapidly changing. This unit takes a bottom-up approach to explaining how current networking technologies work and how we are making use of them. Starting with an explanation of how data is packaged on physical media, such as on copper or optical cables, we follow with an explanation of how errors are introduced and how they can be both detected and corrected. We next introduce a series of increasingly more reliable and efficient network protocols which provide guaranteed, reliable message delivery on error-prone network connections. The use of a very detailed network simulator in laboratory sessions enables us to both implement these protocols and to evaluate their efficiency.

We next examine the subject of routing protocols which enable messages to be both correctly and efficiently delivered between computers not directly connected with a single cable. Again, the use of detailed simulation enables us to implement robust routing algorithms and, in particular, to develop strategies to overcome very congested sub-networks, crashing nodes and severed cables. Having addressed network protocols in some detail, we turn our attention to local-area Ethernet, wireless, mobile, and ad-hoc networks.

We next examine the motivation for and design of the Internet, and the protocols and applications most frequently used. We continue with a discusson of the design and implementation of client/server applications using the Berkeley sockets API, remote procedure calls, and Java's Remote Method Invocation.

• Unit schedule - Lectures, tutorials, and laboratory sheets
• Information resources - C-programming, additional reading, ....

Unit coordination and assessment:

Before undertaking this unit, students are strongly encouraged to read:

• the Guidelines on Assessment At The University Of Western Australia,
• the Faculty Policy for Assessment Practices and Procedures, and
• the School's assessment deadlines.

Tutorials:

Laboratory and project work:

Required Textbook for 2008:

Computer Networking, 4/e James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross, Addison-Wesley, Copyright 2008, 880pp, ISBN: 0-321-49770-8.

(Strongly) Recommended Reading for 2008:

Computer Networks and Internets, with Internet Applications, 4/e Douglas E. Comer, Purdue University Prentice-Hall, Copyright 2003 720 pp., ISBN 0-13-143351-2.

In addition, you should keep abreast of issues discussed in the popular Australian IT media, for example, The Australian's IT section (appearing each Tuesday), PC Week Australia, and Australian Personal Computer (monthly).