COSC 345 - Syllabus of Record October 1994

I. Catalog Description

COSC 345 Data Communications 3c-01-3sh

Prerequisites: COSC 110 or 220, and MATH 214, 216, or 217, and MATH 121 or 123, or equivalents.

Communication of digital data between computers and to and from terminals and other peripherals; computer networks; small design projects or term paper.

II. Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Describe the basics of both analog and digital communication concepts.

B. Explain the architecture of a data communications network organized around the OSI (Open Systems

Interconnection) seven-layer model.

C. Describe the services provided in each layer of a data communications network.

D. Acquire the background knowledge necessary to participate in ongoing developments in

telecommunications.

E. Perceive the necessity for complexity management, standardization for connectivity, and resource

sharing.

F. Explain the methodology and the rationale behind addressing and routing.

G. Resolve the various multiplexing and switching methods used in data communications networks.

H. Describe the common protocols used in data communications networks and resolve their relative

efficiencies.

I. Use the currently available data communications services (ex. The Internet and its associated

software).

III. Detailed Course Outline

A. Introduction to Communication Networks. (1 hour)

1. Evolution of communication networks

2. Network goals

3. Uses of communication networks.

B. Network Design Principles (3 hours)

1. Network services and architecture

2. Switching and multiplexing

3. Data transmission in networks

4. Network architectures

5. The OSI model

6. Public networks

C. The Physical Layer (5 hours)

1. Signal propagation

2. Optical transmission

3. Modulation schemes

4. Error control techniques

D. Data Link Layer Protocols (5 hours)

1. Overview of protocols

2. The Alternating Bit protocol

3. The Selective Repeat protocol

4. The Go Back N protocol

5. Protocol performance determination

E. Local Area Networks (6 hours)

1. The medium access sub-layer

2. The ALOHA protocols

3. The IEEE 802 standards

4. Ethernet

5. Token Bus networks

6. Token Ring networks

7. Fiber Optic networks

8. Satellite and radio networks

9. The logical link control sub-layer

F. The Network Layer (5 hours)

1. Naming and addressing

2. Routing and routing algorithms

3. Congestion control algorithms

G. The Transport Layer (3 hours)

1. Transport service primitives

2. Transport protocols

3. Connection management

H. The Session Layer (3 hours)

1. Dialog management

2. Synchronization

3. Exception reporting

4. Remote procedure calls

I. The Presentation Layer (5 hours)

1. Abstract Syntax Notation 1 (ANS.1)

2. Data compression techniques

3. Cryptography

J. The Application Layer (3 hours)

1. Technical and Office Protocols, Manufacturing

Automation Protocol

2. File Transfer Protocol, Electronic mail, TELNET, etc.

3. Virtual terminals, Job transfer and manipulation,

Message-handling system

4. Directory services, Remote logins

5. Network File system

6. NetBIOS

IV. Evaluation Methods

50% Examinations. Two exams during the semester and one final exam. Examinations will consist of short-answer, calculation, and analysis questions.

40% Projects/Term paper. Selected projects (directly related to the objectives of the course) including work on computers (mainframe and/or microcomputers) worth varying points. Alternatively, a term paper related to the objectives of the course may replace these.

10% Quizzes. Quizzes (which need not be announced before hand) based on the material discussed so far in the course.

Suggested Grading Scale:

% of Max Points Grade

91 through 100 A

81 through 90 B

71 through 80 C

61 through 70 D

below 61 F