Category Archives: Computer Networks

Computer Networks, Software Engineering Curriculum

Topic 2 – Introduction to Computer Networks

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Why do I need to learn about computer networks?

Because you will develop software system that usually connects with other software systems via various networks.

What can I do after finishing learning computer networks?

You will be able to set up various software systems such as Domain Name System, Active Directory System, Electronic Mail, File Transfer Protocol System, Remote Desktop Services, File Services, HTTP Services.

You will be prepared to learn about network programming, game development, web application development, and distributed systems and blockchain.

What should I do now?

Please audit this The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking course and complete all the quizzes.

Alternatively, you can read
– this Andrew S. Tanenbaum and David J. Wetherall (2021). Computer Networks. Pearson Education book, and
– this James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross (2021). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach. Pearson book.

After that please read
– this Brian Svidergol et al. (2018). Mastering Windows Server 2016. Wiley book, and
– this Larry L. Peterson and Bruce S. Davie (2021). Computer Networks: A Systems Approach. Morgan Kaufmann book.

Terminology Review:

  • Computer Networking.
  • Computer Networks, Peer-to-Peer Systems, Local Area Networks, Wide Area Networks, Virtual Private Networks, ISP Networks, The Internet.
  • Network Software, Distributed Systems, World Wide Web, Network Protocols.
  • The OSI Reference Model: The Physical Layer, The Data Link Layer, The Network Layer, The Transport Layer, The Session Layer, The Presentation Layer, The Application Layer.
  • The TCP/IP Reference Model: The Link Layer, The Internet Layer, The Transport Layer, The Application Layer.
  • The TCP/IP 5-Layer Model: The Physical Layer, The Data Link Layer, The Network Layer, The Transport Layer, The Application Layer.
  • Network Interface Cards, RJ45 Ports and Plugs, Cables, Hubs, Switches, Routers, Servers, Clients, Nodes.
  • Bit, Octet (Byte), Modulation, Line Coding, Twisted Pair Cables, Simplex Communication, Duplex Communication, Full-Duplex, Half-Duplex.
  • Collision Domain, Ethernet, Carrier-Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD), MAC Address.
  • Unicast, Broadcast, Multicast.
  • Data Packet, Ethernet Frame, Virtual LAN (VLAN), VLAN Header.
  • First-in-First-Out (FIFO).
  • IPv4 Addresses, IIPv4 Datagrams, IPv4 Address Classes, Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), Subnet Masks, CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing).
  • Routing Tables, Autonomous System, Interior Gateway Protocols,  Exterior Gateway Protocols, Distance Vector Routing Protocols, Link State Routing Protocols, Core Internet Routers, Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), Non-Routable Address Space.
  • Multiplexing, Demultiplexing, Ports.
  • TCP Segment, TCP Control Flags, Three-way Handshake, Four-way Handshake, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), TCP Socket, TCP Socket States.
  • Connection-Oriented Protocols, Connectionless Protocols.
  • User Datagram Protocol (UDP).
  • Firewall.
  • Network Address Translation.
  • Frames, Packets, Messages.
  • Network Socket.
  • Transport Service Primitives: LISTEN, CONNECT, SEND, RECEIVE, DISCONNECT.
  • Domain Name System (DNS).
  • Electronic Mail, SMTP Protocol.
  • File Transfer Protocol System.
  • Remote Desktop Services.
  • File Services.
  • HTTP Services.
  • Time Services.
  • Short Message Service (SMS).
  • Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), Modems, Dial-up (Phone Lines), Usenet.
  • Broadband, T-Carrier Technologies, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL, Phone Lines), Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL), High Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDAL), Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers (DSLAM).
  • Cable Broadband (Television Lines), Cable Modems, Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS).
  • Fiber to the X (FTTX), Fiber to the Neighborhood (FTTN), Fiber to the Building (FTTB), Fiber to the Home (FTTH), Fiber to the Premises (FTTP), Optical Network Terminator.
  • Point to Point Protocol (PPP), Network Control Protocol (NCP), Link Control Protocol (LCP), Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE).

After finishing learning about computer networks please click Topic 3 – Introduction to Programming to continue.