| Course title | Computer Networks |
| Course code | InfTB017 |
| Credit points (ECTS) | 6 |
| Total Hours in Course | 162 |
| Number of hours for lectures | 32 |
| Number of hours for seminars and practical classes | 0 |
| Number of hours for laboratory classes | 32 |
| Independent study hours | 98 |
| Date of course confirmation | 06/03/2025 |
| Responsible Unit | Institute of Computer Systems and Data Science |
| Course developers | |
| Mg. sc. ing., Aleksandrs Puzanovs Mg. sc. ing., pasn. Andrejs Paura |
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| There is no prerequisite knowledge required for this course | |
| Course abstract | |
| The aim of the study course is to provide knowledge about the structure and processes of computer networks, as well as to develop skills and competencies that would allow students to work with computer network hardware, create local and wireless computer networks for small businesses, as well as design structured cabling systems for computer networks.
In the lectures of the study course, students are introduced to the structure of computer networks, the basic principles of computer network operation, as well as gain an understanding of different types of computer networks - local, wireless, territorial, their differences and the data transmission technologies used in them. Students acquire knowledge, skills and competencies about different types of computer network cables and their applications, creating structured computer network cabling systems. In laboratory work, students acquire skills in creating small local and wireless computer networks, configuring computer network hardware, configuring computer network routers and the basic principles of computer network security. The course is intended to be implemented as classes that include lectures, laboratory work and independent work. |
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| Learning outcomes and their assessment | |
| Knowledge:
•Students gain knowledge about the conceptual process of computer network packet transmission according to the hierarchy defined by the ISO OSI seven-layer protocol suite – passed tests and laboratory work. •Students gain knowledge about the operating principles and hardware of local Ethernet computer networks, wireless WiFi computer networks, and broadband Internet access – tests and laboratory work. •Students gain knowledge about the standards of structured cabling systems and the types of cables used in structured cabling systems – tests and exam theory test. •Students gain knowledge about the network, transport, and application layer protocols of the TCP/IP protocol suite, understand routing processes, and become familiar with the basic principles of computer network security – tests and exam theory test. Skills: •students are able to independently plan the addressing of a computer network according to the selected computer network topology, are able to connect and configure Ethernet and wireless WiFi computer network hardware, are able to check the connections of network nodes, are familiar with and are able to apply network problem diagnostic methods and tools - laboratory work has been developed; •students are able to independently develop a topology diagram of a computer network of a small office-type building or residential building and are able to choose the most suitable computer network hardware - independent work has been developed; •students are able to independently design a structured cabling system of a small building, are able to assemble and test a twisted pair cabling system - laboratory work has been developed and a practical exam has been passed. •students are able to configure computer network routers, create virtual local networks, are able to check the operation of the computer network created in laboratory work, are able to identify and eliminate configuration errors - laboratory work has been developed and defended, a practical exam task has been passed. Competence: •students are able to demonstrate an understanding of data transmission processes in computer networks, are able to choose the most appropriate computer network technology and are able to justify the choice of computer network technology and hardware, are familiar with and are able to choose the most appropriate tools and methods for diagnosing network problems – laboratory works and independent works have been defended; •students, working in a group or doing work independently, use information acquisition, preparation and processing tools, prepare presentations and information materials about computer networks, as well as convince others and argue their opinion. – laboratory works and independent works have been defended. students understand computer network problems, are able to check the connections of network nodes, are familiar with and are able to choose the most appropriate tools for diagnosing network problems and are able to justify the selected methods – laboratory works have been developed and the practical task of the exam has been passed. |
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| Course Content(Calendar) | |
| 1. Introduction to the course, history and classification of computer networks, host addressing, address types and their applications. In laboratory work, configuring host IP addressing (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours).
2. Data transmission environments of computer networks, computer network cables, physical and logical structuring of computer networks, computer network hardware. In laboratory work, assembly of twisted pair cable connectors (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). 3. Standardization of computer network technologies and hardware, OSI reference model, physical and channel layers of the OSI reference model. In laboratory work, configuring a wireless router (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). 4. Territorial computer networks and broadband Internet access technologies, data transmission in cable telephony networks, mobile telephony networks and cable television networks. In laboratory work, connecting a shared device to a peer-to-peer computer network (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). Test No. 1. Classification of computer networks, ISO OSI model, computer network addressing, computer network hardware, computer network standards, local networks and classic broadband Internet access technologies. 5. Data transmission in FTTx optical cable networks. In laboratory work, creating and managing shared resources in the Microsoft operating system environment (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). 6. Local area network classic Ethernet and advanced Fast Ethetnet, Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 40/100 Gigabit Ethernet technologies. In laboratory work, switch control configuration (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). 7. Ethernet technology adapters, repeaters, concentrators, switches, additional switch functions and their configuration. In laboratory work, virtual local area network configuration for a Cisco switch (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). 8. Wireless computer networks, IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth wireless computer network standards and technologies. In laboratory work, virtual local area network configuration for an HP switch (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). Test No. 2. Data transmission in FTTx networks, local Ethernet and wireless IEEE 802.11 computer network technologies. 9. Introduction to structured cabling systems, characteristics, classification and application of twisted pair cables, SCS design, assembly and testing. In laboratory work, structured cabling systems research (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). 10. Optical cables, their classification and assembly and testing, review of a sample SCS project. In laboratory work, assembly of twisted pair cable sockets and testing of twisted pair cables and analysis of test results (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). 11. History and structure of the Internet network development, IPv4 addressing in computer networks, TCP/IP protocol suite ARP, ICMP, IGMP and DHCP protocols. In laboratory work, router configuration (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). 12. IPv6 protocol, addressing and data transmission in IPv6 networks. In laboratory work, IP subnet configuration (lecture 1 hour, laboratory work 1 hour). Test No. 3. Standards of structured cabling systems, twisted pair and optical cables, IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. 13. Data transmission in the transport layer of the TCP/IP protocol suite, review of TCP and UDP protocols. In laboratory work, configuration of virtual local area networks for a switch (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). 14. Domain name system structure and operating principles, overview of application layer protocols of the TCP/IP protocol suite. Laboratory work: configuring virtual local area networks for a router (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). 15. Introduction to computer network security and firewalls. Laboratory work: configuring a firewall built into a router. (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). 16. Remote access to a computer network and virtual private networks, introduction to computer network monitoring and overview of the SNMP protocol. Laboratory work: configuring virtual private networks (lecture 2 hours, laboratory work 2 hours). Test No. 4. Transport and application layer protocols of the TCP/IP protocol suite, basic principles of computer network security. |
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| Requirements for awarding credit points | |
| Laboratory work must be developed and passed, laboratory work tasks and a description of the criteria for evaluating the results to be achieved are posted in the e-study environment.
Four test tests must be successfully passed, a passing grade for a test or exam can be obtained if at least 50% of the test questions are answered correctly. The exam must be successfully passed. |
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| Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work | |
| Must prepare for tests and exams, study literature and Internet resources.
Must conduct research on the faculty's structured cabling system and prepare technical documentation in accordance with the laboratory assignment. Must prepare for the development and defense of laboratory work. |
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| Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes | |
| The exam result depends on the assessment of tests and exam tasks.
The exam task consists of three parts: 1. test on the topics covered in the lectures of the study course; 2. test on the components of computer network hardware and structured cabling systems included in the study course; 3. practical task on the topics covered in the laboratory work of the study course. Students whose grades for all tests of the study course are at least 7 points may not take the theoretical exam test, and the arithmetic average of the grades of the test papers of the study course is used as the theoretical test score. The number of exam points is calculated from the arithmetic average of the exam tasks and tests. |
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| Compulsory reading | |
| 1.Andrew Tanenbaum, David Wetherall, Nick Feamster, Computer Networks, Global Edition 6th edition. Izdevniecība: Pearson Education Limited, 2021., 944 lpp.
2.Todd Lammle, CompTIA Networkplus Study Guide: Exam N10-008 5th Edition, Izdevniecība: Sybex Inc.,U.S., 2021., 1040 lpp. Jeffrey Beasley, Piyasat Nilkaew, Networking Essentials: A CompTIA Networkplus N10-008 Textbook 6th edition, Izdevniecība: Pearson IT Certification, 2022., 848 lpp. |
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| Further reading | |
| 1.Doug Lowe, Networking All-in-One For Dummies 8th Edition, Izdevniecība: John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2021., 1056 lpp.
2.James Kurose, Keith Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, Global Edition 8th edition, Izdevniecība: Pearson Education Limited, 2021.,800 lpp. 3.Bill Woodward, Cabling: The Complete Guide to Copper and Fiber-Optic Networking 5th Edition, Izdevniecība: Sybex Inc.,U.S., 2014., 1328 lpp. 4.Doug Lowe, Networking All-in-One For Dummies 8th Edition, Izdevniecība: John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2021., 1056 lpp. Rolando Herrero, Fundamentals of IoT Communication Technologies 1st ed., Izdevniecība: Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2022, 249 lpp. |
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| Notes | |
| Academic bachelor’s study programme “Computer Control and Computer Science”. | |