Computer Networks

Course Description

The lecture “Computer Networks” is an introduction to networks used with today’s computers. It deals mostly with the construction, the functionality and the design of local and wide area networks and protocols. On the basis of the ISO/OSI Model as a commonly used layered reference model, network and computer protocols are discussed. Media Access Control protocols of the lower layer are discussed together with network topologies with respect to their medium access mechanism. Topics of discussion include classic technologies like Ethernet as well as technologies used by internet service providers. On OSI Layer 3 and 4 (network and transport layer), the commonly encountered TCP/IP protocol is introduced and covered in detail. This builds the basis for discussing a set of application protocols based on TCP/IP such as RTP, HTTP or protocol patterns like REST as part of Seminar presentations.

In addition, the lecture presents other specialised networks applied in manufacturing or within cars such as CAN bus. The lecture is concluded by an overview and discussing data centre networks such as Infiniband used in high performance computing data centres and server farms as well as Software Defined Networking.