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ELEC S332

More information: Course Guide

Computer Networks

Course Start Date	Course Level	Duration	Credits	Language	Fees ($) (including lab fees)	Future Semesters
01-Apr-2013	Higher	2 semesters	10	English	10,100	Apr 2014, Apr 2015

Course Coordinator: Dr Steven Choy, BEng (Hons); PhD (PolyU HK); MIEEE

Course Developers: Alfred Ho Chi-lam; Dr George Lau Hing-keung, OUHK; Dr Wilson Chu Hon-wai, OUHK; and Dr Steven Choy Sheung-on, OUHK

This course is a core course of the BSc / BSc (Hons) in Computing and Networking, the BSc / BSc (Hons) in Communications Technology, the BSc (Hons) in Communications Technology with Management, and the BSc /BSc (Hons) in Computer Engineering programmes. The course is also suitable for learners who want to learn the basic principles and practices of computer networks.

The course describes the 5-layer Internet model and demonstrates how applications trigger activities in the various layers of a computer network. The course aims to use a practical application flow approach to demonstrate the interplay of the different network components covered in the whole course.

Advisory prerequisite(s)
There are no prerequisites for the course.

Aims
This course aims to:

• Teach students the basic principles, technologies and practices of computer networks using the 5-layer Internet model;

• Enable students to describe the functions and design issues of individual protocol layers of the 5-layer Internet model;

• Equip students with a basic understanding of network security issues and threats, and the means to overcome them;

• Offer students some hands-on experience of setting up computer networks;

• Illustrate to students how computer networks are used for supporting some typical business applications.

Contents
The course covers the following topics:

• Introduction to computer networks

• The physical layer

• The data link layer: Functions and protocols

• The data link layer: Local area networks

• The network layer

• The transport layer

• The application layer basics

• The end users’ Internet applications

• Network security and cryptography

• The application in action

Learning support
There will be ten two-hour tutorials and regular two-hour surgeries throughout the course.

Assessment
There are five tutor-marked assignments and a three-hour written final examination.

Online requirement
This course is supported by the Online Learning Environment (OLE). You can find the latest course information from the OLE. Through the OLE, you can communicate electronically with your tutor and the Course Coordinator as well as other students. To access the OLE, you will need to have access to the Internet. The use of the OLE is required for the study of this course. All tutorials and surgeries will be video recorded and available for playback from the OLE.

Equipment
Students will need access to a computer system suitable for connecting to the Internet. The recommended minimum computing requirements are:

• Pentium IV CPU

• SVGA display card and monitor

• 1 GB RAM

• 500 MB free hard disk space

• Broadband Internet access

• Keyboard and mouse

Set book(s)
Forouzan, B A (2007) Data Communications and Networking, 4th edn, Boston: McGraw-Hill.