The course describes the most common architectures, algorithms and protocols used to implement computer networks, starting from the physical layer up to the most popular application layer protocols. The course goal is to give the students the elements needed to understand how computer and communication networks work, with particular emphasis to the Internet.

The student will gain knowledge on:
• General concepts of computer networks: network classification based on the covered area, network topologies, switching techniques (circuit and packet), multiplexing and multiple access techniques, service models (client-server, peer-to-peer), layered protocol architectures, traffic characterization and QoS requirements.
• Transmission channels, bit encoding techniques, access and transport networks.
• Error recovery and flow control techniques: ARQ window protocols.
• Data-link layer protocols.
• Local Area Networks: architecture, protocols, interconnection.
• Routing algorithms and protocols. Network protocols in the Internet, IP addressing and translation.
• Internet transport layer protocols.
• Internet application layer protocols.
The ability to apply the gained knowledge will be verified through lab experience and class exercise on course subjects. The attention will mainly be focussed on the definition of IP addressing schema and of static routing table configuration, and on packet capture on LANs, both to passively analyze traffic traces and to detect and verify packet sequences when performing specific user level operations.

To be able to efficiently follow the class, students should have an elementary knowledge of computer architectures, should know the number representation on computer and be able to convert numbers form the decimal to the binary format and viceversa. Furthermore, the students should be familiar with the concepts of frequency spectrum and sampling techniques, which will be only briefly revised.
Finally, elementary knowledge of basics concepts in optics and electromagnetics are also required.

• General concepts of computer networks: network classification based on the covered area, network topologies, switching techniques (circuit and packet), multiplexing and multiple access techniques, service models (client-server, peer-to-peer), layered protocol architectures, traffic characterization and QoS requirements (16h)
• Transmission channels and media, bit encoding techniques, access and transport networks (4h)
• Error recovery and flow control techniques: ARQ window protocols, data-link layer protocols (12h)
• Local Area Networks: architecture, protocols. LAN interconnection (8h)
• Routing algorithms and protocols. Network protocols in the Internet: IPv4 and ICMP, IP addressing, DHCP, ARP, NAT (12h)
• Tools for network analysis (2h)
• Internet transport layer protocols (TCP, UDP) (6h)
• Internet application layer protocols (SMTP, POP and IMAP, HTTP, DNS, P2P Applications) (8h)
Lab experience and class exercise (12h)

Class exercises will focus on:
• Switching techniques
• Window protocol analysis
• IP subnet address management
• IP router routing table configuration
• Performance analysis of the TCP protocol
In the lab, the students will learn how to capture packets on LANs, how to analyze packet traces and will examine sequence of packets generated while running user applications.

The teaching material will be made available by the class teacher on the didattica web portal.
Books suggested as text reference and for class exercises:
• A.Pattavina: Reti di telecomunicazioni, Mc.Graw-Hill (in Italian)
• J.F. Kurose, K.W. Ross: 'Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet, Pearson (available in Italian and English)
• A.Bianco, C.Casetti, P.Giaccone, Esercitazioni di reti telematiche, CLUT (in Italian)

Oral examination consisting of two or three questions and lasting 15-30 minutes. All class activities, lectures and labs, can be discussed during the oral exam.