University: ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

College/Faculty: Natural and Computational Sciences

Course title: Data Communication and Computer Networks

Course code: CoSc2032

Credit hours: 3 ECTS: 5

Contact hours: Lecture hrs: 2 Lab hrs: 3 Tutorial hrs: 2

Prerequisite: None

Course category: Compulsory

Year: II Semester: II

Course description

This course will explore the various types of data communication systems, networks and their
applications. Concepts & terminologies like computer networks, layered architecture (OSI &
TCP/IP), network hardware, network software, standardization, network medium, and IP
addressing will be explored. The practical aspect will deal with building small to medium
level networks including Cabling, Configuring TCP/IP, Peer to Peer Networking, Sharing
resources, Client Server Networking.

Course objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

 Understand the concepts and principles of data communications and computer

Course outline
Chapter 1: Data Communication and Computer Networking Basics (5 hours)
1.1 Data Communication
1.1.1 Definition of Data Communication
1.1.2 Communication Basics
1.1.3 Data Representation techniques
 1.1.4 Digital Data Transmission formats
1.1.5 Transmission Impairments
1.1.6 Modes of Data transmission
1.1.7 Elements of Data Communication
1.1.8 Protocols and standards
1.1.9 Circuit switching and Packet switching,
1.2 Computer Network
1.2.1 Network Definition
1.2.2 Network Applications
1.2.3 Network Types
1.2.3.1 Geographical Area
1.2.3.1.1 PAN
1.2.3.1.2 LAN
1.2.3.1.3 MAN
1.2.3.1.4 WAN
1.2.3.2 Architecture
1.2.3.2.1 Peer-to-Peer
1.2.3.2.2 Client/server
1.2.4 Network Components
1.2.4.1 Hardware Components
1.2.4.2 Software Components
1.2.5 Network Topology
1.2.5.1 Physical
1.2.5.2 Logical
1.2.6 Network Models
1.2.6.1 OSI Reference Model
1.2.6.2 TCP/IP Protocol Suite
1.3 Transmission Media
1.3.1 Guided
1.3.1.1 Twisted Pair Cable
1.3.1.2 Coaxial Cable
1.3.1.3 Fiber Optics/Optical Fiber Cable
1.3.2 Unguided
1.3.2.1 Wireless LAN
1.3.2.2 Radio Communication
1.3.2.3 Microwave Communication
1.3.2.4 Infrared Communication
1.3.2.5 Wi-Fi
1.3.2.6 Bluetooth Technology
1.3.2.7 Satellite communication
Chapter 2: Application, Session and Presentation Layers (5 hours)
1.1. Application Layer Introduction
1.2. Client-Server Model
1.3. Application Protocols
1.4. Network Services
1.5. Session Layer
1.6. Presentation Layer
Chapter 3: Transport Layer (6 hours)
1.1. Segmentation
1.2. Addressing
1.3. Multiplexing and DE-multiplexing
1.4. Connectionless/Connection-Oriented
 1.5. Unreliable/ Reliable
1.6. Protocols in Transport Layer
1.6.1. UDP
1.6.2. TCP
1.6.2.1. Flow control
1.6.2.2. Error Control
1.6.2.3. Congestion control
1.6.2.4. TCP Variants
Chapter 4: Network Layer Addressing and Routing (8 hours)
4.1. NIC addressing
4.2. Packetizing
4.3. IP addressing
4.3.1. IPv4
4.4. Sub-netting,
4.4.1. Classfull Addressing
4.4.2. Classless Inter Domain Routing(CIDR)
4.4.3. Private and Public IP addresses
4.4.4. NAT
4.4.5. PAT
4.5. Address Mapping
4.5.1. Logical to Physical Address Mapping –ARP
4.5.2. Physical to Logical Address Mapping –RARP
4.6. ICMP:
4.6.1. Types of Messages
4.6.2. Message Format
4.1.1. Error Reporting and Query
4.1.2. ICMPv6
4.7. IGMP:
4.7.1. Group Management
4.7.2. IGMP Messages
4.7.3. Message Format
4.7.4. IGMP Operation
4.7.5. Encapsulation
4.7.6. Netstat
4.8. Routing and forwarding
4.1.3. Routing algorithms
4.1.4. Routing in the Internet
4.1.5. Unicasting, Multicasting and Broadcasting
4.9. IPv6
4.9.1. structure
4.9.2. Address space
Chapter 5: Link Layer and Physical Layer (8 hours)
5.1. Link layer services
5.1.1. Faming
5.1.2. Multiple Access Protocols
5.1.2.1. CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA
5.1.3. Link layer addressing
5.1.3.1. MAC address
5.1.4. Data Link Sub Layers
5.1.4.1. Logical Link Control(LLC) and Data Link Control
5.1.5. Data Link and its responsibilities
5.1.5.1. Data Link Control,
 5.1.5.2. Error detection and correction
5.1.5.3. Data Link Layer Protocols
5.2. Physical Layer Services
5.2.1. Bits
5.2.2. Ethernet,
5.2.3. Point-to-Point Protocol
5.2.4. LAN Devices: Repeaters, Hubs, Bridges and switches
5.2.5. WAN Devices Routers, Layer 3 Switches and Gateways
5.2.6. Signaling and encoding
5.2.6.1. Signal Encoding Techniques
5.2.7. Physical Layer and its responsibilities

Teaching-learning methods

Two contact hours of lectures, three contact hours of lab and two hours of tutorials per
week.

Assessment methods

 Assignments/quizzes 15%
 Lab Assessments 15%
 Mid semester examination 20%
 Final examination 50%
Textbooks:
1. Data Communications and Networking, 5th Edition, Behrouz A. Forouzan
Reference books:
1. Andrew S. Tanenbaum, David J. Wetherall, Computer Networks (5th Edition), Pearson;
2010.
2. William Stallings, Data and Computer Communications, 10th Edition, Pearson, 2014
Laboratory Outline
Week 1: Designing cables
1.1. Crossover cable
1.2. Straight-through cable
1.3. Rollover cable
Week 2: Creating Peer to Peer network
2.1. Building a Switched based network
2.2. Sharing Files and Printers between Windows OSs
2.3. Sharing Files between Windows OSs
Week 3: Study of IPv4 Address
3.1. Classification of IP Addresses
3.2. Subnetting
3.3. Supernetting
3.4. NIC addressing
Week 4: Study of Basic Network Configuration commands
4.1. ping
4.2. tracert/traceroute
 4.3. ifconfig/ipconfig
4.4. netstat
4.5. telnet
4.6. ssh
4.7. ftp
4.8. nslookup
4.9. pathping
Week 5: Configuring a Switch
Week 6: Configuring a VLAN
Week 7: Configuring a Router
Week 8: Configuring NAT
Week 9: Configuring Routing Information Protocol (RIPv2)
Week 10: Configuring Interior Gateway Protocol (IGRP)
Week 11: Configuring Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
Week 12: Configuring Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP)
Week 13: Configuring Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
Week 14: Configuring Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS)