Computer Science, Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth University of Wales

CS25010 (1995-96 session)
Computer Communications

Brief Description

Aims, Objectives, Syllabus, Booklist

Further Details

Number of lectures

24

Number of seminars/tutorials

4

Number of practicals

0

Coordinator

Dr. Fred Long

Other staff involved

Mr. Dave Price

Pre-requisites

Pass or exemption in Computer Science at Level 1 or CS10310 by arrangement with the department

Co-requisites

None

Incompatibilities

None

Assessment

Assessed coursework - 20%
Written exam - 80%

Timing

This module is offered only in Semester 1

• the critical importance of standards
• the basic terminology and techniques of computer communications
• the way in which information may be coded
• some of the problems and features of communication protocols
• the components used to construct an Ethernet
• the common facilities available from network operators
• the functioning of a network file system
• the requirement for security

Standards - 2 Lectures

The needs for standards and the areas they cover. The standards setting process and the standards setting bodies - including BSI, ISO, ANSI, IEEE, CCITT and IAB. Local and organisational standards and their relationship to national and international standards. The ISO Model. The weakness of standards and the standard setting process. De facto standards.

Basics of Data Communication - 4 Lectures

Analogue and digital data transmission; synchronous and asynchronous transmission; parallel and serial transmission. Modems, concentrators, time division and statistical multiplexors. Co-ax, twisted pair, fibre optic media. Speed, distance and error rates of the various transmission media.

Information and Coding - 4 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.

Communications Protocols - 5 Lectures

Datalink protocols. ISO; network, transport, FTAM. ARPA; IP, TCP, UDP, FTP, Telnet. X25 Protocols; PSE, PAD, SVC/PVC.

Local Area Networks - 3 Lectures

Bus, ring and star topologies. Cost of attaching devices to networks. Standard protocols. Project 802.

Wide Area Communications and Networks - 3 Lectures

The idea of a common carrier. The UK carriers; British Telecom, Mercury, Kingston and the new market entrants. Public switched networks and private lines. Kilostream, Megastream, Satstream, Videostream and similar services. ISDN. X25. Examples of wide area networks. Telecommunications history.

Distributed Computing - 2 Lectures

Remote file and disc access. Distributed processing. SUN NFS and similar systems.

Security of Information Systems - 1 Lecture

The need for security and its cost; risk assessment. Simple techniques such as passwords and badge readers; deficiencies of simple approaches. The Orange Book standard.

It is considered essential to purchase the following

William Stallings. Data and Computer Communications. 4th edition.

The following should be consulted for different approaches or for further information

R. Deasington. X25 Explained. Ellis Horwood, 2nd. edition, 1987.

W. Stallings. ISDN and Broadband ISDN. Maxwell McMillan International, 2nd. edition, 1992.

Version 4.1

John Hunt Departmental Advisor