Introduction to Data Communication Networks

• Explain the fundamental principles for the exchange of information in data communication networks.
• Describe protocols in modern data communication networks.
• Describe and compare network architectures for data communication.
• Discuss advantages and disadvantages of different network technologies and protocols.
• Describe security aspects of data communication.
• Explain the fundamental principles for encryption of information.
• Present experimental results from exercises in a written report.
• Discuss experimental results and compare these with relevant theory.

Packet-switched and circuit-switched transfer of information. Protocols in data communication networks. Ethernet and WiFi local area networks. The Internet: Fundamental principles and important protocols (IP, TCP, UDP, DNS, HTTP, etc.). Data communication in mobile communication networks: Network architectures, principles of capacity sharing, coverage, procedures (attachment, pageing, handover). Fundamental concepts of network security: Encryption, authentication, certificates and cryptographic hash functions. Simulation of data communication networks and protocols.

Lectures, mandatory exercise, and problemsolving