Lecture Computer Networks

Lecture contents

The lecture "Computer Networks" is an introduction to networks used with todays computers. It deals with the construction, the functionality and the design of local networks. On basis of the OSI Model as a common used layered reference model, network and computer protocols are discussed.

Protocols on the lower layer are discussed together with network technologies in respect to their medium access mechanism. It will be talked about classic technologies like Ethernet (10Base2, 10Base5, 10BaseT), as well as about newer developements like ATM or Gigabit Ethernet.

On OSI Layer 3 and 4 (network- and transportlayer) the overall used TCP/IP protocols are introduced and covered in detail. Afterwards the most important application protocols are comprised.

Further specialized networks are mentioned. This includes large carrier networks as well as busses and networks for local multimedia applications and control applications in industry. Another topic of the lecture is the basic design of networks on the hardware as well as on the software level. Things like "structured wiring", "interoperability of protocols" etc. will be talked about.

Lecture materials

Seminar

During the lectures seminar, the students will learn how to independantly search, find and prepare information of a given networking topic out of the lectures range of topics. Each of the topics will contribute to a network architecture to be implemented during the seminar. This year‘s context is „Interactive Teaching“ and the group will develop an interactive system involing mobile clients.

Every group respectively every student will arrange a presentation containing the background and the concept to be implemented later. This talk will be given to the class in the middle of the semester. The implementation part follows, and the overall function presentation will be at the end of the semester.

The supervisors are available for discussing the concepts and implementation in advance.

Some rules:

•  The topics will be given at the latest 3 weeks before the presentation is scheduled
•  At the latest one week before the final presentation, the slides have to be submitted
•  If the deadline is exceeded a special date will be arranged
•  A successful presentation during the seminar is mandatory to take the exam
•  If, for any reason, the presentation of a group is not good, the members of this group will have one second chance
•  The attendance during the seminar is mandatory

Please submit the presentation and paper to the tutor Bernhard Wiegel

introduction (PDF)
systemdesign (PDF)
Xcode - tips and tricks (PDF)
objective C tutorial (PDF)
groups and schedule (PDF)
template as MS Powerpoint XP (en)
template as OpenOffice >2.0.x (en)