Network Programming and Design

Course Coordinator: Jimmy Kang Xudong, MPhil

ELEC S212 Network Programming and Design is a course on computer networking that covers networking principles, network design and network programming, with its primary focus on the Internet. There are no prerequisites for this course and it is suitable for those of you who would like to acquire knowledge about networking technology as long as you can be proficient in using personal computers and accessing the Internet.

In this course, we will introduce you to the fundamental principles and techniques of network design and programming. A range of contemporary topics with relevance such as wireless technology and network security will also be discussed. Besides concepts, principles and techniques, you will also be given the opportunity to put them into practice through labs and application project development.

Aims
This course aims to:

• introduce you to the architectural models, operating principles and other technologies related to computer networks;
• introduce you to the Internet's historical development, international collaboration and applications;
• introduce you to contemporary networking topics including mobile/wireless technologies, network security;
• delineate the principles, approaches and techniques of network design, and help you apply them in practice;
• develop your ability to draw up and evaluate network designs for different situations;
• equip you with basic skills in network programming; and
• develop your ability to design and develop network and Internet applications.

Contents
The course covers the following topics:

• Introduction to computer networking and the Internet
• Network infrastructure
• The essentials of TCP/IP
• Network operating systems
• Introduction to network application development
• Network programming
• Internet applications development
• Security in networks
• Wide area network access and wireless technologies
• Network solution design and network marketing

Learning support
There will be around ten two-hour tutorials and around ten two-hour surgery lessons throughout the course.

Assessment
There are four assignments and a final examination. Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE) and attend the examination according to the course arrangement.

Online requirement

This course is supported by the Online Learning Environment (OLE). You can find the latest course information from the OLE, including the course materials, announcements and updates of arrangements about tutorials and surgery lessons, and you will be required to make submissions through the OLE. Through the OLE, you can also communicate electronically with your tutor and the Course Coordinator as well as other students. Therefore, the use of the OLE is required for the study of this course and to access the OLE, students will need to have access to the Internet.

Equipment
To complete the assignments and programming-related project development, you will need access to a computer that has an Internet connection with the following minimum configuration requirements:

• Pentium IV 2.4 GHz CPU
• Display card and monitor
• 1 GB RAM
• 1 GB free hard disk space
• Mouse or other input devices

The above are just minimum requirements that most of the personal computers sold in the market can satisfy. Your study will be made easier if you can arrange for the use of a system with a better configuration than that given above.

Set book(s)
Dean, T (2019) Network + Guide to Networks, 8th edn, Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning. ISBN 9789814834643