Communication networks

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).

5 credits

30.0 h + 30.0 h

Teacher(s)

Lugan Sébastien (compensates Macq Benoît); Macq Benoît;

Language

English

Main themes

Introduction, media access control, layered models,
Internet Protocol, IP routing, introduction to IPv6,
DNS, e-mail, common protocols,
Multimedia networking (streaming, VoIP, DVB),
Network security and advanced topics.

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

With respect to the AA referrng system defined for the Master in Electrical Engineering, the course contributes to the development mastery and assessment of the following skills :

AA1.1, AA1.2, AA1.3
AA2.1, AA2.3, AA2.4
AA5.1, AA5.2, AA5.3, AA5.5.

At the end of this course, the students will be able to

understand the architecture of communication networks,
identify the routing strategies which are best suited to a particular network topology,
understand resource management strategies allowing to guarantee a quality of service, particularly for multimedia communications,
design architectures allowing secure communications.

Transverse learning outcomes :

use a network simulation tool (Netkit),
configure network parameters of a Linux based system using low-level commands,
configure a router using a (Cisco) IOS-like syntax

Content

Part 1 (networking):

Introduction to communication networks,
Media Access Control, Layered models,
Internet Protocol, IP fragmentation,
UDP, TCP, ICMP, traceroute & PMTU discovery,
Static IP routing, dynamic routing (algorithms and protocols),
DNS, e-mail (SMTP, POP3, IMAP4),
common protocols (HTTP, FTP, etc.),
NAT, introduction to IPv6,
wireless network protocols (3G/4G/5G, Wifi, BlueTooth, BLE),
wearable devices, IoT & smart sensors (Zigbee, NFC, Lora, Sigfox).

Part 2 (multimedia/security):

Introduction to multimedia networking,
Multimedia streaming (stored multimedia, live, real-time interactive),
Introduction to audio and video compression,
Streaming protocols,
VoIP (ToIP, video conferencing, SIP),
Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB),
Introduction to network security, principles of cryptography,
Message integrity, digital signature, certification authorities, PKI,
Secure e-mail and network connections (X.509, SSL).

Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

- Traditional lectures,
- Labs in computer room allowing the student to use the theoretical concepts seen during the lecture on a simulated network (using Netkit simulation software).

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

- Lab report (20% of the final points),
- Written exam (80% of the final points)

Other information

Labs in computer room

Online resources

Moodle : http://moodleucl.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=5733

Bibliography

- Notes de cours,
- James Kurose and Keith Ross, «Computer Networking, A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet».

Faculty or entity

ELEC

Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme

Sigle

Credits

Prerequisites

Aims

Master [120] in Electrical Engineering

ELEC2M

Master [120] in Electro-mechanical Engineering

ELME2M

Master [120] in Agricultural Bioengineering

BIRA2M

Master [120] in Environmental Bioengineering

BIRE2M

Master [120] in Chemistry and Bioindustries

BIRC2M