Computer Networks Skip to main content University of Oxford Department of Computer Science Search for Search Toggle Main Menu Home Admissions Research News & Events About Us Alumni Our Students (current) Innovation Home Our Students Courses Computer Networks Computer Networks: 2017-2018 Lecturer Geraint Jones Degrees Schedule S1(CS&P)(3rd years) — Computer Science and Philosophy Schedule S1(3rd years) — Computer Science Schedule B1 — Computer Science Schedule S1(M&CS)(3rd years) — Mathematics and Computer Science Schedule B1(M&CS) — Mathematics and Computer Science Term Trinity Term 2018 (16 lectures) OverviewThis course examines the science underpinning computer communications, such as the basic architectural principles of computer networking and specifically how the Internet works today. Covered topics include data representation, how errors in transmission can be detected and dealt with, the way information is routed over a large network, how congestion can be avoided, aspects of network security, and socket programming. Learning outcomes At the end of the course the students should: Understand the architectural principles of computer networking and compare different approaches to organising networks. Understand good network design: simplicity, scalability, performance, and the end-to-end principle. Understand how the Internet works today. Judge the effectiveness of existing or similar network protocols. Be conversant with primitives of network application programming. Synopsis Network architecture: Packetization, Protocol layers and services, End-to-end principle, Internet structure Link and access technologies: Multiple access protocols, Sliding window protocols, LANs (Ethernet), Error detection and correction Network layer: IP packet switching, IP addressing and forwarding, Routing Network services: Address assignment (DHCP), Address resolution (ARP), Error reporting and monitoring (ICMP), DNS Traffic: Queuing models, packet dropping models, workloads Switch architecture: Routers and switches Transport layer: Ports, TCP (handshake, windowing, congestion control), UDP Socket programming Security: Elements of cryptography, Denial-of-service attacks and vulnerabilities at various layers (TCP spoofing, ARP poisoning, DNS cache poisoning), IPsec, DNSsec, SBGP, Firewalls, VPN, Securing TCP Syllabus The need for computer networks; layered models; Ethernet; IP; network routing and congestion control; network security. Reading list Peterson and Bruce S. Davie "Computer Networks: A systems approach (4th ed)", Morgan Kaufmann, 2007. S. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks (3rd ed), Prentice-Hall International, 1996. Feedback Students are formally asked for feedback at the end of the course. Students can also submit feedback at any point here. Feedback received here will go to the Head of Academic Administration, and will be dealt with confidentially when being passed on further. All feedback is welcome. Our Students Course A-Z Computer Networks Information Timetables Course materials Past exam papers Sample solutions Previous course materials Degrees Online Resources & Handbooks Minerva Examinations Timetables Back to Top Calendars Internal RSS Feeds Sitemap Privacy & Cookies Accessibility Statement © University of Oxford /teaching/courses/2017-2018/networks/index.html
