Module Identifier COM5720  
Module Title THE INTERNET AND HOW IT REALLY WORKS  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Mr Christopher W Loftus  
Semester Available all semesters  
Other staff Mr Christopher W Loftus  
Pre-Requisite Available only to students taking the Diploma/MSc in Internet and Distributed Systems (Advanced) scheme. COM5820.  
Course delivery Workload Breakdown   55 hours of contact time; lectures, practicals, workshops.  
  Workload Breakdown   145 hours of private study, practical work and assessment.  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment2 Hours written exam  60%
Semester Assessment 1 assignment. 200 word essay.  40%
Supplementary Assessment Supplementary examination will take the same form, under the terms of the Department's policy.   
Further details http://www.aber.ac.uk/compsci/ModuleInfo/COM5720  

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
participate in planning networks that are cost effective and realistic in terms of products and services currently available.

critically assess proposed networking solutions.

assess the effect of likely technological developments on existing network applications.

make decisions and provide guidance to others in the choice of appropriate communications technologies to deploy, to solve real world requirements.

demonstrate extensive knowledge of the internal operation of the Internet and its protocols.

demonstrate an appreciation of the problems that appear in the management of routing and naming in large networks.

exercise judgment in the choice of appropriate protocols and services to address the real needs of Internet operators and users.

investigate, and propose solutions to problems of quality of service.

demonstrate an appreciation of the security issues that surround the Internet and its applications and how these can be mitigated.

explain the need for a new generation of the Internet and describe current progress towards it.

Aims

This module forms a core part of the new Internet and Distributed Systems (Advanced) MSc. This module discusses the detailed underlying operation of the Internet and its consituent components and is an essential topic in its own right as well as providing a solid foundation for much of the other material covered in this MSc.

Brief description

The Internet is a complex, multi-organisation network reaching nearly all parts of the world. The functioning of this network and the applications running upon it depend on a complex set of protocols. This module addresses the fundamental aspects of the most important issues that permit the network and its applications to operate successfully. The module also addresses the current threats to the Internet and topics still emerging from R&D studies around the world.

Content

1. Introduction.

2. Revision of basic issues in Data Communication.

3. Local Area Networks. A detailed study of variants of the technologies collectively known as Ethernet.

4. Other Network Technologies. A brief look at fast and wireless network technolgies.

5. Standards. The ISO OSI Model.

6. Unicast Network Level Protocols in use in today'r Internet. Including further study of protocols such as IPv4, ICMP, ARP, RARP used in unicast applications and IPv4 and IGMP used in multicast applications.

7. Unicast Routing in the Internet. Example routing 'rroblems?. Interior and exterior routing protocols. Protocols covered will include RIP, OSPF and BGP.

8. Multicast Routing in the Internet. Example routing 'rroblems?. Protocols covered will include PIM-DM, PIM-SM and MSDP. We will also cover the role of the Rendezvous Point, Anycast IP, and issues still under debate in the technical community.

9. Transport Level Protocols. An in-depth study addressing the behaviour of TCP and UDP. Connection establishment and termination, flow control under various load conditions, timeouts and retransmission, newer features and performance.

10. Naming and Directory Services. Including the DNS and LDAP and their use.

11. Quality of Service. The need for and the provision of Quality of Service (QoS) within packet based networks such as the Internet which are inherently best efforts at heart.

12. Security Issues. The inherent risks within networks such as the Internet, hacking, viruses, trojans, worms and denial of service attacks. The role of the Firewall and the problems it can bring.

13. Current and Future Issues. The (still) emerging IPv6 protocol and other active issues.

Module Skills

Problem_solving The assignment addresses challenging issues concerned with Internet applications and networks  
Research skills On-line web exploration and synthesis and application of relevant materials is required both by the assignment and the examination  
Communication Not significant  
Improving own Learning and Performance The assessed coursework requires students to develop their understanding of issues associated with the module  
Team work No  
Information Technology Entire content of module  
Application of Number Significant mathematical application is needed for Internet traffic analysis  
Personal Development and Career planning No  
Subject Specific Skills See learning outcomes  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
B.A Forouzan and T. Hicks (2002) TCP/IP Protocol Suite. (soft back edition) McGraw-Hill Education 0071199624

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7