Event

The lecture covers (i.a.) protocols, architectures, as well as methods and algorithms, for routing and establishing reliable end-to-end connections in the Internet. In addition to various methods for media access control in local area networks, the lecture also covers other communication systems, e.g. circuit-switched systems such as ISDN. Participants should also have understood the possibilities for managing and administering networks.

Familiary with the contents of the lecture Einführung in Rechnernetze or comparable lectures is assumed.

Learning Objectives

After attending this lecture, the students will

• have a profound understanding of protocols, architectures, as well as procedures and
  algorithms used for routing and for establishing reliable end-to-end connections in the Internet
• have a profound understanding of different media access control procedures in
  local networks and other communication systems like circuit-switched ISDN
• have a profound understanding of the problems that arise in large scale dynamic communication systems and are familiar with mechanism to deal with these problems
• be familiar with current developments such as SDN and data center networking
• be familiar with different aspects and possibilities for network management and administration

Students have a profound understanding of the basic protocol mechanisms that are necessary to establish reliable end-to-end communication. Students have detailed knowledge about the congestion and flow control mechanisms used in TCP and can discuss fairness issue in the context of multiple parallel transport streams. Students can analytically determine the performance of transport protocols and know techniques for dealing with specific constraints in the context of TCP, e.g., high data rates and low latencies. Students are familiar with current topics such as the problem of middle boxes on the Internet, the usage of TCP in data centers or multipath TCP. Students are also familiar with practical aspects of modern transport protocols and know practical ways to overcome heterogeneity in the development of distributed applications.

Students know the functions of (Internet) routing and routers and can explain and apply common routing algorithms. Students are familiar with routing architectures and different alternatives for buffer placement as well as their advantages and disadvantages. Students understand the classification into interior and exterior gateway protocols and have in-depth knowledge of the functionality and features of common protocols such as RIP, OSPF, and BGP. Students are also familiar with current topics such as label switching, IPv6 and SDN.

Students know the function of media access control and are able to classify and analytically evaluate different media access control mechanisms. Students have an in-depth knowledge of Ethernet and various Ethernet variants and characteristics, which especially includes current developments such as real-time Ethernet and data center Ethernet. Students can explain and apply the Spanning Tree Protocol.

Students know the architecture of ISDN and can reproduce the peculiarities of setting up the ISDN subscriber line. Students are familiar with the technical features of DSL.