OVERVIEW

The class aims at deepening the knowledge of the main architectural aspects and protocols at the basis of the Internet and its evolution. It is essentially organized in four parts, addressing IP and TCP and related protocols, WiFi, protocols and techniques for advanced networking (network management, Quality of Service, multimedia services over best effort networks, virtualisation); and fundamentals of telecommunications network security.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to provide knowledge and skills on the foundations of modern networking systems based on the TCP/IP protocol suite. Such protocols will be discussed by especially focusing on network performance, design, and operations aspects. The topics will be presented through a mix of theory and applicative examples.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main goal is to provide a deeper knowledge of the Internet architecture and of some of the main underlying protocols, starting from the basic elements acquired in an undergraduate course in the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) area. More specifically, after reviewing IPv4 addressing principles and related protocols at the network layer, the lectures will touch IPv6, routing algorithms and protocols, and multicast; then, congestion control techniques and their implementations in TCP will be considered.

PREREQUISITES

Students are expected to have a base background in network protocols and reference layered architectures.

TEACHING METHODS

Combination of traditional lectures (40 hours) and laboratory experimental activities (approx. 12 hours).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• IEEE 802.3
  • Supported physical layers
  • MAC addresses
  • Forwarding
  • Spanning tree
  • Virtual LAN

• Internet Architecture and Protocols
  • IPv4 review (management of IP addresses, ARP, ICMP);
  • Autonomous Systems
  • IP routing algorithms and protocols (OSPF, BGP) 
  • IPv6;
  • UDP/TCP
• Experimental Laboratories:
  • Introduction to PacketTracer
  • Layer 2 forwarding and VLANs
  • Layer 3 routing

This class contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda: Objectives no. 8 ("Decent work and economic growth") and no. 9 ("Industry, innovation and infrastructure")

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Course material on Aulaweb  (https://www.aulaweb.unige.it): copy of all lecture slides

- J. F. Kurose, K. W. Ross, Computer Networking – A Top-Down Approach, 6th Ed., Pearson Education, Upper Saddle river, NJ, 2013.

- H.-C. Yang, M.-S. Alouini, Advanced Wireless Transmission Technologies: Analysis and Design, Cambridge University Press, 2020.

Students with disabilities or learning disorders are allowed to use specific modalities and supports (e.g., audio and video lesson recordings). See the Further Information section for more details.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ROBERTO BRUSCHI (President)

RAFFAELE BOLLA (President Substitute)

CHIARA LOMBARDO (President Substitute)

LUCIO MARCENARO (President Substitute)

ANDREA SCIARRONE (President Substitute)

PAMELA ZONTONE (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/10378/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Mandatory written examination about the topics in the syllabus of the teaching unit, with maximum admissible mark equal to 24/30.

Mandatory test on the experimental laboratory, related to the activities in the syllabus, with a maximum admissible mark equal to 1/30 that will be added to the mark of the written examination.

If a student obtains a sufficient mark (equal to 21/30) from the two previous examinations, then he/she can also optionally take an additional oral examination with maximum admissible mark equal to 30/30 with honors.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Within the mandatory written examination, the student's knowledge of the main concepts discussed in the teaching unit shall be evaluated.

Within the experimental laboratory test, the critical thinking and problem solving capability of students will be evaluated in simple but common networking environments.

Within the oral examination, it will be assessed the student’s capability to address simple problems of networking applications and his/her capacity to critically discuss the related methodological bases.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it ), the School's disability liaison.