Introduction to Data Communication Networks

• Explain the fundamental principles for the exchange of information
• 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, 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 exercises, and problemsolving