EE353: Computer Networks (Spring 2019)

Course Introduction

Dr. Arsalan Ahmad

[email protected]
Room A-206
SEECS Faculty Block
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 Computer Networks

 Introduction
– Instructor
– Course
 Course outline
 Labs
 Grading criteria

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 Introduction

Dr. Arsalan Ahmad

Postdoc (Optical Networks)
Aug 2015 from Politecnico di Torino, Italy
PhD (Electronic and Communication Engineering)
Feb 2014 from Politecnico di Torino, Italy
MS (Communication Engineering)
Sep 2010 from Politecnico di Torino, Italy

• http://seecs.nust.edu.pk/faculty/arsalanahmad.html
• Google scholar search 'Dr. Arsalan Ahmad'
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Focus of the Subject

Internet as a
black box

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 Focus of the Subject
Focus on conceptual introduction of
computer networks and more importantly
their underlying design principles
A top down approach
– Architectures
– Algorithms
– Protocols
More emphasis on theory and fundamentals

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 Focus of the Subject
What happens “under the hood” when
you browse the Internet?
Suppose you are on a SEECS lab machine.
You type “www.espncricinfo.com” on your
favourite browser.
Can you explain what is happening from the
networking point of view to fulfil your
request?
– Name all the networking protocols that you
think are involved
– What is the sequence of their invocations? 6
What’s the Internet: “nuts and bolts” view
mobile network
Millions of connected
PC

computing devices:
server

wireless global ISP

laptop
• hosts = end systems
smartphone
• running network apps home
network
 Communication links regional ISP
wireless
• fiber, copper, radio,
links
wired
satellite
links • transmission rate:
bandwidth

 Packet switching:
• forward packets
institutional
router
(chunks of data) network
• routers and switches
Course Outline application

transport
Standardization and layering
Applications network
– DNS, HTTP, FTP, SMTP
Transport layer link
– TCP, UDP physical
Network layer
– IP Addressing, NAT, Routing Algorithms and
Routing Protocols
Data link layer
– Framing, Error Detection and Correction,
Ethernet and WiFi
Text Book [K&R]
 Associated Labs
Each week on Monday
Windows/Linux
See the real protocols in action
– Packet sniffers (Wireshark, Tcpdump)
Programming assignments
– Network programming
– Language?

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 Grading
Theory 75%
– Quiz 10% of 75%: 7.5%
» Some maybe un-announced
– Assignments/Homework/Class participation
10% of 75%: 7.5%
– OHT1 20% of 75%: 15%
– OHT2 20% of 75%: 15%
– ESE 40% of 75%: 30%
Lab component 25%
– Labs 60% of 25%: 15%
– Programming assignment 40% of 25%: 10%
Grading

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 Class Logistics -1
 Maintain class discipline
 Maintaining > 75% attendance is your
responsibility
– No retake of missed Quizzes, Assignments,
Labs Viva (Except in extraordinary
circumstances as per NUST policy)
 Strict plagiarism policy
– Award of ZERO for the whole component to the
“sharer” as well as the “acquirer”
– Absolutely no exception

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 Class Logistics - 2
 Ask as many questions as you like in class
 Office Hours
– Tuesday 1600-1650
– Or by appointment
 Provide timely feedback
 Focus on learning, grades would follow

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