Data Communication & Networks-Course Outline

GC University Lahore

Department of Computer Science

Course Title: Data Communication & Networks

Course Code: CS - 3106

Course Duration: One Semester (16 weeks of study)

Credit Hour:  03

Course Instructor:Mr. Yahya Khurram 

Course Description: To introduce students to the concept of computer communication. Analogue & digital transmission. Network Layers, Network models (OSI, TCP/IP) and Protocol Standards. Emphasis is given on the understanding of modern network concepts.

Pre-Requisite: None

Course Co-Requisite: Wireless & Mobile Communication

Course Goals & Objective

Goal No.1: Explain introduction to Data Communication, Internet Communication Model, OSI reference Model and TCP/IP protocol architecture.      

              

       Obj No.01:           Explain data communication and computer networks (LAN, WAN, MAN & Wireless LAN), also explain different LAN topologies.

Obj No.02:           Describe OSI reference Model in detail with each layer functionality and different protocols working at different layers.

Obj No.03:           Discuss Guided transmission media (Twisted Pair, Coaxial Cable, Optical Fiber)& Unguided transmission Media.

Obj No.04:          Explain TCP/IP protocol architecture in detail and comparison of TCP/IP with OSI Model.   

Obj No.05:           Discuss LAN protocol architecture and explain popular protocols in detail (TCP, UDP, HTTP, F|TP, SMTP etc.)

   

Goal No.2: Explain Digital Data Communication and Data Link control in detail

Obj No.01:           Explain the Synchronous and Asynchronous communication also discusses error detection and error correction in detail.

Obj No.02:           Describe flow control in data link control, Explain Stop and Wait flow control in detail.

Obj No.03:          Explain different techniques of error control in detail (Stop and Wait ARQ, Go back N ARQ, Selective Reject ARQ).        

Obj No.04:          Discuss the High Level Data Link (HDLC) protocol functionality. 

Obj No.05:          Discuss Analog transmission, Digital transmission and Transmission impairments

       

Goal No.3: Explain & describe the Multiplexing,  Spread Spectrum, Encoding Schemes and Transmission Media.

Obj No.01:          Describe the concept of Frequency Division Multiplexing and Time Division Multiplexing.

                   Obj No.02:          Explain Basic concept of Spread Spectrum, also explain Frequency Hopping spread spectrum and Direct Sequence Spread spectrum.

Obj No.03:           Explain guided transmission media. Discuss wireless transmission and wireless propagation.

                   Obj No.04:          Explain Line of sight propagation and mobile transmission in detail.

                   Obj No.04:          Explain Switched, IP Networks and Inter-networking

       Obj No.05:          Explain Encoding Schemes (Digital Data – Digital Signal, Analog Data – Digital Signal, Digital Data – Analog Signal, Analog Data – Analog Signal).

Goal No.4: Describe the Circuit Switching and Packet Switching. Explain the routing in Switched Networks.

Obj No.01:          Discuss Concept of Circuit switching.

                   Obj No.02:          Discuss Circuit switching networks and control signaling in circuit switching.

Obj No.03:           Explain Packet switching principles and two types of packet switching (Datagram & Virtual Circuits) . Discuss packet size in packet switching.

                   Obj No.04:          Discuss the comparison of circuit switching and packet switching and which is better in different scenarios.

Obj No.05:          Discuss the routing and circuit switching networks and packet switching networks in detail.

                       

Teaching & Learning Strategies

The course will be taught by a combination of lectures, presentations and directed reading material. Unannounced quizzes will be taken during the lectures. All lectures may comprise of a power point presentation, handouts and white board demonstrations. The students will be given the assignments related to the topic covered during the different lecture. Each student will be asked to select a research topic and give at least one assessed presentation to the class.

Lecture Duration will be of 90 Minutes.

Time Management Matrix

• Goal No.1    18%:  3 Weeks
• Goal No.2    25%:       4 Weeks
• Goal No.3    25%:       4 Weeks
• Goal No. 4   32%:       5 Weeks         

Assessment Strategy

• Semester Work (Assignments +Quizzes) : 05% + 15 %
• Mid Term : 20%
• Final Term (Objective + Subjective): 10 + 50 = 60%

Evaluation is based on how well the student will perform in class, assignments and quizzes. Performance will be monitored throughout the semester. The examination will test the student’s understanding of the various concepts discussed during the course.

The written examination requires students to complete a theoretical paper covering all aspects of the course.

Recommended Text Books

1.      Data & Computer Communications by William Stallings, 8^th edition

2.      Computer Networks, 5^th Edition, A.S Tanenbaum, D.J Wetherall

3.      Data Communications and Networking, Behrouz A. Forouzan, 4^th  Edition