Data Communications and Networks

Course Code: CS-652 Semester: 3rd

Credit Hours: 3 (2+1) Prerequisite Codes: Nil
Instructor: Iftikhar Zafar Class: 12:30pm – 02:00pm, 10:45am –
12:15pm
Office: +4234799162-5 (Ext: 140) Telephone: +923008115256
Lecture Days: Monday, Tuesday E-mail: Iftikhar.zafar@qu.edu.pk
Class Room: LR4 Consulting Hours:
Lab Engineer: Ms. Tabinda Ashraf Lab Engineer Email: tabinda.uet@gmail.com

Course Description:
The course includes overview of computer networks and data communications, OSI reference model, computer-
networking applications and protocols, transport-layer protocols, network architectures, Internet Protocol (IP),
routing, link-layer protocols, local area and wireless networks, medium access control, physical aspects of data
transmission, and network-performance analysis.

Course Objectives:
This course gives students an overview of Computer networks and Data communications. The main objective of
this course is to provide students with significant breadth first foundation of Information Technology from which
they can understand the relevance of advanced courses in computer networks.
Specific objectives of this course are
1. Introduce students to the evolution of computer networks and the concepts data
communication
2. Introduce students the general principles of network design and compare the different
network topologies
3. Introduce students to the digital and analogue representations and channels;
4. Describe the mechanism and techniques of encoding and general principles of circuit and packet
switching
5. Provide students with in-depth knowledge of OSI reference model for computer networks

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):

At the end of the course the students will be able to: SO BT Level*
1. Define basic computer network technology a C-2
2. Explain Data Communications System and its components a, b C-3
3. Enumerate the layers of the OSI model and TCP/IP. a, b C-2
4. Identify the different types of network devices and their functions within a network b, e C-2
5. Understand and building the skills of subnetting and routing mechanisms b, e C-3
6. Familiarity with the basic protocols of computer networks, and how they can be used b, c, C-3
to assist in network design and implementation e

* BT= Bloom’s Taxonomy, C=Cognitive domain, P=Psychomotor domain, A= Affective

domain

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Mapping of CLOs to Student Outcomes (ABET)

Student Outcomes CLO1 CLO2 CLO3 CLO4 CLO5 CLO6

(a)An ability to apply knowledge of computing and X X X
mathematics appropriate to the program’s student
outcomes and to the discipline
(b) An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and X X X X X
define the computing requirements appropriate to
its solution
(c) An ability to design a system, component, or
process to meet desired needs within realistic
constraints such as economic, environmental, social,
political, ethical, health and safety,
manufacturability, and sustainability
(e) an ability to identify and solve engineering X X X
problems

Mapping of CLOs to Assessment Modules and Weightages

To be filled in at the end of the course.
Assessments/CLOs CLO1 CLO2 CLO3 CLO4 CLO5 CLO6
Quizzes: 10% X X X X
Assignments: 10% X X X X X
Mid-term Exam: 20 % X X
Labs: 25% X X X
End Semester Exam: 35% X X X
Total : 100 % X X X X X X

Books:
Text Book: Data Communications & networking (5th Ed) by B A Forouzan
Reference 1. Data communication and networking by William Stallings 9th edition
Books: 2. Computer Networking: A top down approach (6th Ed) by James F Kurose & Keith W Ross

Main Topics to be Covered:

1. Overview of computer networks and data communications
2. Network models
3. Data and signals
4. Physical layer and media
5. Data link layer
6. Network layer
7. Transport layer

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 8. Application layer
9. Network performance analysis

Lecture Breakdown:
Week Topics CLO
01 Introduction to data communication, Networks, Internet, Protocols and standards CLO-1
02 Layered tasks, OSI model, layers in the OSI model, TCP/IP Protocol suite, Addressing CLO-3
Data
03 a Data and signals, analog and digital signals, periodic and aperiodic signals, periodic CLO-2
analog and digital signals, transmission impairment, data rate limits, performance
04 Digital to digital conversion, Analog to digital conversion, transmission modes CLO-2
05 Digital to analog conversion, analog to analog conversion, CLO-2
06 Multiplexing, Spread Spectrum CLO-2
07 Guided media, Un-guided media CLO-2
08 Circuit switched networks, Datagram networks, Virtual circuit networks CLO-3
09 Introduction to error detection and correction, block coding, checksum CLO-6
10 Data link control, framing, noiseless and noisy channels CLO-3,
CLO-6
11 Multiple access; Random access, controlled access, channelization CLO-3
12 Standard Ethernet, Connecting devices, Backbone networks CLO-4,
CLO-6
13 Cellular telephony, IPv4 addressing, IPv6 addressing, Sub-netting CLO-5
14 ARP, DHCP, Forwarding, Unicast routing protocols CLO-5
15 Transport Layer; services, process to process communication, UDP, TCP CLO-3,
CLO-6
16 Application layer; DNS, Email, FTP CLO-3,
CLO-6

Weightages:
Quizzes: 10%
Assignments: 10%
Mid Term: 20%
Final Exam: 35%
Lab Work: 25%

Lab Experiments:
Lab 01: Wireshark & Telnet (HTTP)
Lab 02: Understanding Ping, traceroute and Whois.
Lab 03: Understanding DNS Working (Using nslookup and dig)
Lab04: Observing TCP using Wireshark
Lab 05: How to configure the router using the packet tracer
Lab 06: Static routing using Cisco Packet Tracer
Lab 07: Deployment of star topology with Cat-2950switch CISCO services

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 Lab 08: How to use Remote Desktop connection in windows
Lab 09: To prepare straight-through cable and cross over cable
Lab 10: to develop some simple network application using socket API

Tools / Software Requirement:

1. Wireshark
2. CISCO Packet Tracer
3. OPNET

Grading Policy:
Examination Policy: Zero Tolerance towards unfair means.
Quiz Policy: The quizzes will be announced and normally last for ten minutes. Grading for quizzes will
generally be on a scale of 0 to 10.
Assignment Policy: In order to develop comprehensive understanding of the subject, assignments will be given.
Late assignments will not be accepted / graded. All assignments will count towards the total
Lab Conduct: Copying of lab work or late submission of report shall result in reduction of marks.
Plagiarism: Zero tolerance policy towards plagiarism. Failing to comply with the plagiarism policy will
lead to strict penalties

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