General description
This module deals with networking and communications Technologies. It builds on earlier studies in CS15210.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• describe the progress made in the standards creation world in these topics;

• apply methods used for the coding of information;

• describe the components used to construct an Ethernet including fast Ethernet and demonstrate an appreciation of the operation and relationships of the protocols involved;

• describe the technology and services provided by ISDN and Broadband ISDN networks;

• describe the evolution and technical characteristics of high speed communications technologies;

• appreciate the issues involved in the planning and management of networks.

Syllabus
1. Information and Coding - 3 Lectures
Elements of information theory; formal definition of information content and redundancy. Fixed and variable length codes; optimal coding. Error detecting and error correcting codes; simple examples. The ASCII code and its characteristics.

2. Ethernet - 6 Lectures
Switched 100Mbps Ethernet; Gigabit Ethernet.

3. Wide area and High Speed Network Technologies - 8 Lectures
N-ISDN including HDLC as an example datalink protocol; B-ISDN; ATM; Frame relay; SMDS; MANs; Optical Networking.

4. Residential Services - 2 Lectures
ASDL; HDSL; Set top boxes.

5. Network Planning and Management - 3 Lectures
Queueing Theory; Network Management; Network Planning.

Aims
This module builds on the base provided by CS15210 or CS14020, extending the students' knowledge of communications technologies. In particular, Ethernet will be studied in detail as an example of a typical local area network. Integrated Services Digital Network technology will also be considered in detail to provide an example of a wide area publicly available technology supporting a variety of services. The module will also provide insights into the concepts and protocols which underly newer fiber optic based fast technologies such as Cell and Frame relay networks.