Course Outline 1
ENGI 9876 Advanced Data Networks
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Fall 2019-2020
ENGINEERING 9876: Advanced Data Networks
Instructor Dr. Cheng Li Teaching Assistants Zijun Gong
E-mail licheng@mun.ca E-mail zg7454@mun.ca
Phone 864-8972 Phone
Office Location EN-4012 Office Location EN-4031
Office Hours Wed. 2:00-4:00 Office Hours Thur. 2:00-4:00
Website www.engr.mun.ca/~licheng/9876
Communication Email, course website, and bulletin board on the website.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course includes the fundamental concepts, protocols, analysis and modelling techniques,
architectures, and applications pertaining to data communications networks.
PREREQUISITES: It is expected that students have had an introductory course in
computer networks. If a student does not have this background,
the onus is on the student to fill in the necessary background for
the various areas of the course. The introductory reference texts
listed below are a good foundation for developing this background.
SCHEDULE: LECTURE: Tuesday and Thursday 10:30-11:45 am, Room: EN-4008
TUTORIAL: There will be 2-3 tutorial sessions, which will be mostly
used to review mid-term exam papers and cover additional lecture
materials. Time and venue will be determined during the term.
CREDIT VALUE: 3 credits
RESOURCES:
TEXT BOOK
S. Keshav, An Engineering Approach to Computer Networking, Addison-Wesley,
1997. (Note: second edition will be available soon).
COURSE NOTES
Lecture notes will be available through online or will be handed out in class for most
lectures.
REFERENCES
Introductory
1. A. Leon-Garcia and I. Widjaja, Communication Networks: Fundamental Concepts
and Key Architectures, 2nd ed., McGraw Hill, 2004.
2. W. Stallings, Data and Computer Communications, 8th ed., Prentice-Hall, 2007.
3. A. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks, 4th ed., Prentice-Hall, 2003.
Course Outline 2
ENGI 9876 Advanced Data Networks
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Fall 2019-2020
Intermediate
4. W. Stallings, High-Speed Network and Internets: Performance and Quality of
Service, 2nd ed., Prentice-Hall, 2002.
Advanced
5. D. Bertsekas and R. Gallager, Data Networks, 2nd ed., Prentice-Hall, 1992.
+ many, many others (eg. books focussed on networks, the Internet, network security,
etc.).
MAJOR TOPICS:
The topics will include, but not be limited to:
Introductory Concepts
- network topologies, communication architectures
Elements of Communication Protocols
- packet formats, flow control, error control, protocol analysis
Packet Switching
- datagram vs. virtual circuit
Queuing Theory
- M/M/1, M/D/1, and other queues
Scheduling
- scheduling strategies for best-effort and guaranteed-service
connections
Routing
- distance-vector and link-state routing strategies for packet switching
High Speed Switching Architectures
- sampling of switch fabric architectures such as broadcast bus,
Batcher-Banyan, and Balanced Gamma networks
Security (time permitting)
- symmetric key and public key encryption, authentication, digital
signatures
Wireless Sensor Networks (time permitting)
- an introduction to wireless sensor networking technologies,
challenges, and applications
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Understand the basic concepts of data communication architectures and protocols.
Able to analyze the performance of a network using probability tools and queuing theory
Understand networking techniques including scheduling, routing, and switching
Understand data network applications
ASSESSMENT:
Approximate Due Dates
Project: 30 %
Midterm 1: 15 % (Oct. 17, 2019, tentative)
Midterm 2: 15 % (Nov. 14, 2019, tentative)
Final exam: 40 %
Course Outline 3
ENGI 9876 Advanced Data Networks
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Fall 2019-2020
Please note that the two midterm examinations will be in-class tests, tentatively scheduled for
Thursday, October 17 (10:30 am-12:00 pm) and Thursday, November 14 (10:30 am-12:00 pm).
PROJECT:
There will be one major project in the course. The nature of the project will be a survey of a
topic in an area applicable to the course. The project deliverables are:
(1) project title, due Friday, Sept. 20
(2) project proposal (1 page), due Friday, Sept. 27
(3) seminar (15~20 minutes), presentation schedule starting from the week of Nov. 18
(4) paper (~25-30 pages 1.5 line spaced), due Friday Dec. 6
The project must be new work produced by the student and must not be the repetition
of a project from a previous course or other context. Also, although the project will
represent a survey of work by other researchers, the organization and wording of your
final report must be entirely original. Work that contains any amount of copied
material will be given a mark of zero.
PROBLEM SETS:
The course will have several problem sets designed to reinforce the topics covered in the
lectures. No marks will be given for the problem sets.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT:
Students are expected to conduct themselves in all aspects of the course at the highest level of
academic integrity. Any student found to commit academic misconduct will be dealt with
according to the Faculty and University practices. More information is available at
www.engr.mun.ca/undergrad/academicintegrity.
Students are encouraged to consult the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Student
Code of Conduct at http://www.engr.mun.ca/policies/codeofconduct.php and Memorial
University’s Code of Student Conduct at http://www.mun.ca/student/conduct.
LAB SAFETY:
Students are expected to demonstrate awareness of, and personal accountability for, safe
laboratory conduct. Students will immediately report any concerns regarding safety to the
teaching assistant, staff technologist, and professor.
INCLUSION AND EQUITY:
Students who require physical or academic accommodations are encouraged to speak privately
to the instructor so that appropriate arrangements can be made to ensure your full participation
in the course. All conversations will remain confidential.
Course Outline 4
ENGI 9876 Advanced Data Networks
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Fall 2019-2020
The university experience is enriched by the diversity of viewpoints, values, and backgrounds
that each class participant possesses. In order for this course to encourage as much insightful
and comprehensive discussion among class participants as possible, there is an expectation that
dialogue will be collegial and respectful across disciplinary, cultural, and personal boundaries.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE:
Student Affairs and Services offers help and support in a variety of areas, both academic and
personal. More information can be found at www.mun.ca/student.
