ECE450 Computer networks II

The main target of this course is for the students to get acquainted with practical issues and challenges related to networking systems and familiarizing them with the management and operation of wireless and wired networks, through the utilization of research experimental facilities. During the course, the student will indulge in schemes and communication protocols that are applied in networking equipment (hub, switch, router, etc.), as well as in the operation of various networking layers (Ethernet, IP, TCP/UDP). More specifically, the student will experiment using real equipment and will study the network performance in different topologies and communication scenarios. Special focus will be given on Software Defined Networks (SDN), as the student will learn about the OpenFlow standard and the programming of switches with OpenFlow Controllers. Moreover, the course targets at introducing the student to the operation of wireless networks and their practical issues, through a set of lab experiments that are testbed operated.

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

• Understand the OSI model and the encapsulation of several protocols in a bottom-up approach.
• Understand and manipulate real implementations of protocols that are used in computer networks and Internet.
• Manage and program several network devices (switches, routers, etc.) and understand their utility in each network.
• Be able to create and manage local networks, as well as to configure their interconnection with other local networks.
• Use packet sniffing tools in order to analyze and check the operation of the networking protocols.
• Program the network operation through OpenFlow.
• Be able to create, manage and configure wireless networks.
• Implement troubleshooting mechanisms for identifying communication misbehaviors in wireless networks and suggest solutions.