Computer Networks

• Basic knowledge of computer architectures
• Familiarity with binary operations

Those topics are included in the syllabus of the Computer Architecture curricular unit belonging to the Degree in IT Management

The syllabus is presented in classes that include the exposition of theoretical concepts and  the demonstration of its application, through practical examples.

For this purpose, slides, demonstration videos, and practical exercises (making use of a network simulator) are used.

This curricular unit aims to provide the student with knowledge about data networks technologies that allow him to understand the operation of a network and enables him to learn the process of installing and maintaining networks based on TCP/IP.

It is intended that students achieve the following core competencies:

• To know in detail how the Internet and TCP/IP communication work.
• To understand the operation of the main protocols involved in client/server communication based on TCP/IP.
• To identify the main network equipment and implement a small/medium dimension network.
• To know the IP technology and its main functions: addressing, routing, and fragmentation.
• To use network configuration analysis, packet analysis, and simulation applications.
• To identify the main TCP/IP application servers.

1. Internet technology and TCP/IP communication

2. Physical medium and transmission technologies
2.1. Functionality
2.2. Fundamental concepts
2.3. Physical medium used
2.4. Commonly used technologies

3. Ethernet and switching technology
3.1. Functionality
3.2. Medium access management
3.3. Frame format

4.IP Technology
4.1. Roles performed by the network layer
4.2. IPv4 protocol characteristics
4.3. ICMP protocol
4.4. IPv4 addressing and subnet addressing
4.5. Efficient IPv4 address management
4.6. IP configuration diagnostic applications
4.7. IP routing

5. TCP and UDP protocols
5.1. Transport layer functions
5.2. Notions of port and socket
5.3. TCP and UDP protocols operation

6. TCP/IP application services
6.1. Notion of application protocol
6.2. Operation of the following Internet services, applications and protocols used:
– DHCP
– DNS
– SSH and Telnet
– HTTP
– SMTP, POP, IMAP
6.3. Network traffic analysis applications

7.Advanced topics: IPv6
7.1. Motivation to adopt IPv6
7.2. Main differences between IPv4 and IPv6
7.3. Representation of addresses
7.4. Self-Configuration strategies

8.Advanced topics: IoT
8.1. Fundamentals
8.2. Applications
8.3. Main protocols

9.Small networks design
9.1. Using network simulation applications
9.2. Troubleshooting operations in computer networks

NAO

Base bibliography

1. Engenharia de Redes Informáticas; Edmundo Monteiro e Fernando Boavida; 10ª Edição atualizada e Aumentada; Editora: FCA; ISBN: ISBN: 978-972-722-694-8
2. TCP/IP Teórica e Prática; Fernando Boavida e Mário Bernardes; Editora: FCA; ISBN: 978-972-722-745-7
3. Materiais de apoio às aulas

Additional bibliography

1. RFC Editor: https://www.rfc-editor.org
2. Computer Networks 5ªed; Tanenbaum et al; Pearson Ed. ISBN: 978-013-212-695-3
3. Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach; James Kurose e Keith Ross; 6ª edição; Pearson