This course focuses on communication protocols for the Internet, and the emphasis is on the generic mechanisms at the layers of the TCP/IP stack. To get a deeper understanding of these mechanisms we evaluate and compare the design of different protocols. To further illustrate these principles and get hands-on experience the course contains a set of lab assignments and a project.

Students will get a deep understanding of protocols and hands-on experience in setting up and operating TCP/IP networks. This means that, after the course, students will be able to:

• describe the functionality of devices and design principles of protocols at the network and transport layers (e.g., routers, routing protocols, multicast, address structures)
• based on general principles and study of different protocol standards be able to understand advantages and disadvantages of different protocol designs.
• critically evaluate current as well as new protocols designs in general and network layer protocols in particular, using technical considerations such as scalability, robustness, and manageability as a basis of comparison.
• design, set up and operate a TCP/IP network, and to provide TCP/IP services to end-users, using primarily PC hardware and Unix. You will also be able to describe how interior routing protocols, dynamic address assignment, and the domain name system work, and set up intradomain routing, DNS and DHCP services, and TCP/IP application servers such as mail and web.
• identify and describe examples of sustainability aspects related to the area of communication systems.

We use a mix of learning activities in the course. The learning activities are based on 12 lectures, 7 networking labs with 4 teacher-lead recitations, and one project assignment during the later parts of the course where all different topics are brought together in practice. The course ends with a final, graded A-F.

Schema HT-2021-TCOMM-TIVNM

Experience of working in Unix environments.

A course in internetworking. e.g., IK1552 Internetworking or equivalent.

Computer Networking, 7th  Edition, Kurose & Ross
ISBN-13: 978-1-292-15359-9
ISBN-10: 1-292-15359-8

Students are expected to use their laptops for lab and project activities.

VirtualBox: www.virtualbox.org

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

• LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 3.0 credits, Grading scale: P, F
• PRO1 - Project work, 1.5 credits, Grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 3.0 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Laboratory Work ( LAB1 )

Project work ( PRO1 )

Examination ( TEN1 )

The final degree is based on the result of the written exam. To receive grade "pass", the student should be able to describe and explain design principles for communication protocols dealt with during the course, as well as be able to apply these protocols in real TCP/IP networks. To receive a higher grade, the student should also be able to critically evaluate and assess different communication procols as well as be able to compare and explain advantages and disadvantages with various protocol designs.

The course is divided into three parts, and to receive a final grade "pass" all three parts must be approved:

• Written exam (A-F)
• Laborations (Pass/Fail)
• Project assignment (Pass/Fail)

The final grade is based on the written exam.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Two lecture slots have been added in response to last year's course evaluation and analysis.

Labs and project assignment have been restructured into online-based activities combined with teacher-lead supervision sessions.