Data Communications and Computer Networking

Course Title: Data Communications and Computer Networking

Course No: BDS253

Nature of the Course: Theory + Lab

Semester: 4

Full Marks: 45 + 30

Pass Marks: 18 + 12

Credit Hours: 3

Course Description

This course focuses on essential theories surrounding data communication, transmission, and computer networking. It systematically examines the roles and functions of each OSI layer- from the Physical and Data Link layers up through the Network and Transport layers, concluding in the Application layer.

Course Objectives

The main objective of this course to make the students understand the distinction and conversion between analog and digital signals, and their methods of transmission; analyze and apply major network protocols including the OSI and TCP/IP models; evaluate different transmission media and characterize their properties; explain various multiplexing techniques (e.g., FDM, TDM); evaluate switching techniques such as circuit switching and packet switching; implement error detection and correction strategies to ensure data integrity; understand concepts of data link control for managing link-level communication; apply routing algorithms to determine efficient data paths in networks; understand and use transport layer protocols including mechanisms for congestion control; explore critical application-layer services.

Course Contents

1. Introduction to Data Communication

6 hrs

1.1. Overview of Data Communications

1.2. Components

1.3. Message

1.4. Data Flow

1.5. Overview of Networks

1.6. Network Criteria

1.7. Physical Structures

1.8. Network Type: LAN, WAN, Internetwork

1.9. The Internet

1.10. Accessing the Internet

1.11. Protocol Layering: Single-Layer, Multi-Layer

1.12. Principles of Protocol Layering

1.13. Logical Connections

1.14. TCP/IP Protocol Suite and Description of Each Layer

1.15. OSI Model and Description of Each Layer

1.16. OSI Versus TCP/IP

2. Physical Layer

10 hrs

2.1. Introduction

2.2. Signals: Analog Signals, Digital Signals

2.3. Signal Impairments

2.4. Data Rate Limits

2.5. Performance

2.6. Digital Transmissions

2.7. Analog Transmissions

2.8. Analog-to-Analog Conversion

2.9. Multiplexing

2.10. Transmission Media

3. Data Link Layer

10 hrs

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Data Link Control: Framing, Error Control

3.3. Overview of HDLC and PPP

3.4. Media Access Protocols

3.5. Link Layer Addressing

4. Network Layer

10 hrs

4.1. Introduction

4.2. Services

4.3. Packet Switching

4.4. Performance

4.5. Internet Protocol Version 4: IPv4 Addressing

4.6. Main and Auxiliary Protocol

4.7. Options

4.8. Security of IPv4 Datagrams

4.9. General Format and Basic Overview of ICMP messages

4.10. Introduction of IPv6

4.11. Basic Overview of ICMPv6 messages

4.12. Transition from IPv4 to IPv6

4.13. Routing Algorithms

4.14. Unicast Routing Protocols

4.15. Multicast Routing

5. Transport Layer

6 hrs

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Transport Layer Services

5.3. Transport Layer Protocols

5.4. User Datagram Protocol

5.5. Transmission Control Protocol

6. Application Layer

6 hrs

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Client/Server Paradigm

6.3. Standard Applications

Laboratory Works

Cabling: Straight Cable, Cross Cable; Basic LAN Setup and Introduction to Basic Network Commands; Packet Sniffing with Wireshark: Capture and Analyze Packets for HTTP, TCP, UDP, ICMP, Filter Packets and Inspect Headers; Installation and Configuration of DNS, DHCP and File Server

1.Laboratory Works

Reference Books

1.Forouzan, B. A. (2022). Data communications and networking with TCP/IP protocol suite (6th ed., International student ed.). McGraw-Hill
2.Stallings, W. (2022). Data and computer communications (Indian ed.). Pearson Education
3.Tanenbaum, A. S., Wetherall, D. J., & Feamster, N. (2021). Computer networks (6th ed., Global ed.). Pearson Education

Notes:

This syllabus follows the official Bachelor in Data Science curriculum of Tribhuvan University. In case of any doubt or revision, the university's published syllabus shall be considered authoritative.

Data Communication & Computer Networks

Data Communication & Computer Networks

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Data Communications and Computer Networking

Course Description

Course Objectives

Course Contents

Laboratory Works

Reference Books

Notes: