EE-832:

Advanced Computer Networks

Fall 2015

Introduction
Junaid Qadir
(junaid.qadir@seecs.edu.pk)
Assistant Professor,
Electrical Engineering Dept.,
SEECS, NUST.
Director,
Cognet Lab, SEECS
Room no: 215, Academic Block, SEECS
Office hours: Monday, 9 AM to 10 AM, or
through appointment via email.

Motivation:
Why study Computer Networking?

Approaches to
studying
Computer
There is a tendency
in our field to believe that everything we
currently use is a paragon of engineering, rather than a snapshot
Networks
of our understanding
at the time. We build great myths of spin

about how what we have done is the only way to do it, to the point
that our universities now teach the flaws to students (and
professors and textbook authors) who dont know any better.
John Day (an Internet pioneer and historian)

Course Outline
5 topics (topic 0 - 4)
on the architecture, algorithms, and protocols
used for developing scalable networks

4 advanced topics (topic A1 to A4)

on the technical foundations
through which future generation networks can be designed

Topic 0: Course
Introduction
Course Introduction; Basics (week 1)
A high-level top-down view of computer networking
Packet switching vs. Circuit switching
Applications of networking
Requirements---Connectivity, Resource Sharing,
Support for Common Services

Topic AI: Intro. to Net.

Research
Advanced Topic A1---Brief introduction to
networking research (week 2)
Tips for doing networking research
Introduction to the research-based term project
Introduction to modeling and network performance
evaluation
Analytical modeling and evaluation
Simulation modeling and evaluation

Topic 1: Direct link

networks
Direct Link Networks
(weeks 3, 4)
Building blocks: Encoding,
Framing, Error Detection,
Reliable Transmission
Example DL networks:
Ethernet and Wireless (802.11)

Topic 2: Packet Switching

and Internetworking
Packet Switching and
Internetworking
(weeks 5, 6, 7,8)
Switching and Forwarding
Bridges and LAN Switches
Simple Internetworking
Internet Protocol

Topic A2: Adv. Net.

Architectures
Advanced Topic A2---Network
Architecture (week 9)
Control plane and the Data plane
Traditional Internet architecture
Modern architecture as proposed by
Software Defined Networking (SDN)

Topic 3: Process
Communication

End-to-End Protocols
(week 10 and 11)
UDP and TCP
TCP Congestion Control
Congestion Avoidance

Topic 4: Application
protocols
Applications (weeks 13)
Traditional Applications:
FTP, SMTP, HTTP
Name Service: DNS
Overlay Networks

Topic A3: Math.

Foundations
Advanced Topic A3--Mathematical Foundations of
Networking (week 14 and 15)
Brief introduction to:
Queueing theory,
Optimization theory,
Game theory, etc.
Input Modeling and Output Analysis

Topic A4: Modern net.

trends
Advanced Topic A4---Modern
Networking Trends (week 16)
Brief introduction to:
Cloud Architecture
Network Virtualization
Cognitive Radio Networks
Network Science

Course
``books

Text
Computers
book:
Networks
a systems
approach
[P&D

by Peterson and Davie

1.
2.

3.

4.

Books
philosophy:
Systems
Problem-solving
approach
approach
Focus
on core design

choices
Focus on perspective rather
than solely on specifications
Examples with real Internet
protocols

Ref. book:
Computers
Networks

by Kurose and Ross

[K&R
]

Ref. book:
Mathematical
Foundations of
Computer
networking

by Srinivasan Keshav

[Keshav]

Finding original
research doc.
Vint Cerf

Bob Kahn

Proposed TCP/IP
as a single
integrated
protocol in
1974 for
internetworking

Course Policies

Evaluation breakdown

Quizzes; 10%
Final Exam; 35%
Term Paper/ Assignments; 30%

Mid term Exam; 25%

Administrative policies
Class discipline
beneficial learning requires students to pay
attention and the teacher to be dedicated;
its important to be punctual in the class.
Attendance policy (i.e., 75% minimum,
Will be taken on LMS, final once taken)
Quizzes (announced/ unannounced)
Course website on LMS; Forum at Piazza

https://piazza.com/seecs.edu.pk/fall2015/ee832/home

Stats from a previous session

To-do-list (1
day)
Register
yourself
for
the
LMS
1

st

course and for the Piazza forum

Read the course outline and get

comfortable with the course site

Complete the online introduction

questionnaire on LMS.