Advanced Computer Networks
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| COMP4032 | Computer Science | 4 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- COMP4032
- School
- Computer Science
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module will provide students with an advanced knowledge of computer communications networks, using examples from all-IP core telecommunications networks to illustrate aspects of transmission coding, error control, media access, internet protocols, routing, presentation coding, services and security. The module will describe Software Defined Networks (SDNs) and provide examples of using them to enable very large scale complex network control. The module will provide an advanced knowledge of various routing and query protocols in: Ad Hoc Networks; Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs); Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) and Disconnection/Disruption/Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs). The impact of new networking developments, such as security risks, ethics, interception and data protection will be reflected and discussed systematically. Students will spend around three hours per week in lectures and one hour per week in computing classes.
Target Students
Available to Level 3 and Level 4 students in the School of Computer Science. This module is part of the Operating Systems, Networks and Security theme in the School of Computer Science.
Assessment
- 30% Coursework 1: Group programming assignment.
- 70% Exam 1 (3-hour)
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
To deepen students' understanding of the use and operation of fixed and mobile communications networks, in particular both benchmark and state-of-the-art Internet protocols and their use in modern telecommunications and emerging mobile networks.To deepen students' understanding of a wide range of routing protocols and services in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs), Delay/Disconnection/Tolerant Networks (DTNs), Opportunistic Networks and Mobile Social Networks.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
- To gain a deep understanding of a wide range of properties and engineering fixed, mobile and ad hoc networks.
- To gain a deep understanding of routing protocols in cellular networks, ad hoc networks, Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs), Delay/Disconnection/Tolerant Networks (DTNs), Opportunistic Networks and Mobile Social Networks and their applications.
- To improve understanding of peer-to-peer systems, algorithms and services for data dissemination and query in mobile intermittent environments including Information Centric Networks (ICNs) and Content Centric Networks (CCNs).
- To improve students' understanding of Software Defined Networks and their use to control complex large-scale networks.
- To appreciate the real-world social and ethical impacts upon user experience in the design and application of various networks and services.
- To develop an understanding of the practical skills required in the design and development of network protocols and services in different application scenarios.
Intellectual Skills
- Understanding complex ideas and relating them to specific problems or questions.
- Ability to understand different advanced network routing protocols and services and critically reflect on their application to different real-world contexts.
Professional Skills
- Evaluate approaches, technologies and algorithms for distributed systems, and select those which are fit for purpose within a given domain.
- To be able to understand appropriate networks, services and algorithms, and select those which are fit for purpose for different application domains (such as self-driving cars, unmanned aerial vehicles, location aware services, emergency services, mobile crowdsourcing, healthcare and others).
- To be able to design and simulate complex mobile networks suitable for a variety of applications and evaluate them across different metrics.
- To recognise ethical and security issues involved in the uses of different networks.