Computer networks

5.00 credits

30.0 h + 30.0 h

> Schedule

Teacher(s)

Bonaventure Olivier (coordinator); Pelsser Cristel;

Language

French

Main themes

Role, model and needs of representative distributed applications
Reference model of computer networks
Reliable Transport of Information: Mechanisms and Protocols
Network interconnection, addressing, routing and related problems
Local, metropolitan and long distance networks

Learning outcomes

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

Given the learning outcomes of the "Bachelor in Engineering" program, this course contributes to the development, acquisition and evaluation of the following learning outcomes:

AA.1.1, AA.1.2
AA2.5-7
AA3.2
AA4.1-4

Given the learning outcomes of the "Bachelor in Computer science" program, this course contributes to the development, acquisition and evaluation of the following learning outcomes:

S1.I7
S2.2-4
S4.3-4
S5.1, S5.4

Students who have successfully completed this course will be able to:

explain the communication needs of the different classes of distributed applications handling data or multimedia streams;
explain the distribution of functions that satisfy these needs in the different layers of the reference model;
explain the realization of these functions in Internet protocols ;
choose solutions according to the needs of their application;
quantify the characteristic quantities involved in the networks;

Students will have developed methodological and operational skills. In particular, they have developed their ability to:

argue to highlight the positives and negatives of a solution and make suggestions for improvement;
write a summary report containing the elements that we wish to highlight.

Content

Basic principles of network operation (reliable transfers, routing, naming/addressing, resource sharing, basic notions of security, etc.)
Analysis of the main protocols used on the Internet (HTTP, DNS, TLS, TCP, UDP, IP, OSPF, BGP, Ethernet, WiFi, ...)

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures, supervised exercise sessions, group work and personal work.

Evaluation methods

The evaluation consists of three parts:

A protocol implementation project, worth 4 out of 20 points
An analysis project, worth 3 out of 20 points
A written exam, worth 13 out of 20 points

Students who actively contribute to teaching materials may earn one or more bonus points.
The use of generative AI for projects is strongly discouraged, as experience shows it prevents students from properly mastering the subject matter. If you use such tools, you must strictly comply with UCLouvain’s good practice guidelines, including clearly and transparently citing any AI-generated content. Only the original part of your work will be assessed.
Projects can only be submitted during the first examination session, except in cases of long-term absence recognized by the jury president.

Other information

Prerequisites:

high level programming language
Unix environment

Online resources

https://www.computer-networking.info
https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=1269

Bibliography

Computer Networking: Principles, Protocols and Practice (3rd edition), https://beta.computer-networking.info

Teaching materials

Computer Networking: Principles, Protocols and Practice (3rd edition)

Faculty or entity

> INFO

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

Title of the programme

Sigle

Credits

Prerequisites

Learning outcomes

Specialization track in Computer Science

FILINFO

Bachelor in Computer Science

SINF1BA

Minor in Computer Sciences

MINSINF

Mineure Polytechnique

MINPOLY