Computer Networks

Course Coordinator: Dr. Farah Yan, BEng (Hons), MPhil, PhD (CityU)

Course Developers: Dr Alan Yeung and Dr Fan Yan

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;
• 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 and the Internet
• The application layer
• The transport layer
• The network layer
• The link layer
• Multimedia networking
• Security in computer networks
• Network management

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

Assessment
There are four assignments and a three-hour written final examination. Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

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:

• Intel processor at 800 MHz
• 2 GB RAM
• 300 MB free disk space
• Internet access (broadband recommended)

Set book(s)
Custom book