CSC 313 Data Communications COURSE PARTICULARS Course Code: CSC 313 Course Title: Data Communications No. of Units: 3 Course Duration: Two hours of theory per week for 15 weeks. Status: Compulsory Course Email Address: csc313@gmail.com Course Webpage:http://www.csc.futa.edu.ng/courseschedule.php?coursecode=CSC%20313 Prerequisite: CSC 205, CSC 305 COURSE INSTRUCTORS Dr. (Mrs.) O. C. Agbonifo Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Phone: +2348054751282 Email: ocagbonifo@futa.edu.ng COURSE DESCRIPTION This course introduces students to evolution trend of computer networks. It also helps students in understanding the procedure of transmitting data over the network and how to resolve the conflicting issues arising in the course of transmission. This course provides with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in transmitting data over the network. Topics to be covered include Introduction to digital and analogue representation; channels: noise, bandwidth, capacity, Nyquist, Shannon; telecommunication history; circuit switching and packet switching; multiplexing: FDM.TDM, statistical multiplexing; virtual circuits and datagrams; Aloha, CSMA, CSMA-CD, token passing, CDMA, wireless LANs and simple performance analysis; errors, coding and redundancy; hamming theory and codes; CRCs, selective retransmission and flow control. COURSE OBJECTIVES The objectives of this course are to: Introduce students to the evolution of computer networks and the concepts data communication; introduce students the general principles of network design and compare the different network topologies; 1
introduce students to the digital and analogue representations and channels; describe the mechanism and techniques of encoding; introduce students to the general principles of circuit and packet switching; introduce students to the wireless Local Area Networks; provide students with in-depth knowledge of data link layer fundamental such as error detection, correction and flow control techniques; multiple access control techniques; COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES / COMPETENCIES Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: (Knowledge based) understand the basic principles of network design; understand the concept data communication within the network environment; understand the conflicting issues and resolution techniques in data transmission; (Skills) Understand the setting up of a network environment with all the necessary data communication components, procedure and techniques that make it functional; GRADING SYSTEM FOR THE COURSE This course will be graded as follows: Class Attendance 5% Assignments 15% Test(s) 20% Final Examination 60% TOTAL 100% GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS Attendance: It is expected that every student will be in class for lectures. Attendance records will be kept and used to determine each person s qualification to sit for the final examination. In case of illness or other unavoidable cause of absence, the student must communicate as soon as possible with any of the instructors, indicating the reason for the absence. Academic Integrity: Violations of academic integrity, including dishonesty in assignments, examinations, or other academic performances are prohibited. You are not allowed to make copies of another person s work and submit it as your own; that is plagiarism. All cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the University Management for appropriate sanctions in accordance with the guidelines for handling students misconduct as spelt out in the Students Handbook. Assignments and Group Work: Students are expected to submit assignments as scheduled. Failure to submit an assignment as at when due will earn you zero for that assignment. Only 2
under extenuating circumstances, for which a student has notified any of the instructors in advance, will late submission of assignments be permitted. Code of Conduct in Lecture Rooms and Laboratories: Students should turn off their cell phones during lectures. Students are prohibited from engaging in other activities (such as texting, watching videos, etc.) during lectures. Food and drinks are not permitted in the laboratories. READING LIST 1 Balogun, V. (2004). PC Repairs & Data Communication Networks Unleashed. Published bycalvary Regent Publications, Garki-Abuja, Nigeria, 519p. 1 Taneabaum, A. S. and Wetherall, D. J. (2011). Computer Networks. Published by Prentice Hall, USA, 933p. 1 Olifer, N. and Olifer, V. (2006). Computer Networks: Principles, Technologies and Protocols for Network Design. Published by John Wisley & Sons, Ltd. England. 1000p. Legend 1- Available in the Departmental Library 2- Available on the Internet. E 3
Week Topic Remarks 1 Evolution of computer network, Basic concepts of Data communication system. 2 & 3 4 & 5 General principles of network design: problems of sharing computer resources, problems of physical data transmission; problems of interaction among several computers. Introduction to digital and analogue representation and channels, characteristics and types of transmission media/channels; dependence between bandwidth and capacity 6 Topology of physical links, addressing of network nodes 7 Generalised switching problem: flow definition. Routing, data forwarding, multiplexing and demultiplexing Students are introduced to the evolution of computer network and basic concepts of Data communication system Students will get familiar with the general principles of network design Students will be able to know the strength and weakness of various channels in data transmission relative to their characteristics or features. Students will get to know the different types of network topologies and the addressing techniques, their strength and weakness in data transmission Students will be introduced to the generalised principles of switching. Assignments are given to the students on how the switching operation was applied on the old telephone networks. 8 Mid Semester Test 9 & 10 Switching types: circuit and packet switching Students will get to know the different types of switching and the significant of packet over circuit especially in transmitting data over large networks. 11 & 12 Data link layer services provided to the network layer, control of transmission errors, hamming theory and flow control 13 Medium Access control: Aloha, carrier sense medium access (CSMA), CSMA-CD, token passing, CDMA Students will get to understand the services the data link layer provided in controlling transmission errors and flow of data. Students will get to know the various techniques to alleviate the problem of medium allocation in broadcast network 14 Wireless LANs and Simple performance analysis Assignments to students on hands-on practical experience on how to set up wireless LANs and performance analysis 15 REVISION General revision to evaluate the level of students understanding on the course prior to examination. 4
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