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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Data Communications & Networks I
Module Code EE224 (ITS) / EEN1023 (Banner)
Faculty Engineering & Computing School Electronic Engineering
Module Co-ordinatorGabriel Muntean
Module TeachersDushyantha A Basnayaka, Martin Collier
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Repeat examination
The repeat exam will be similar with the regular exam. There is resit continuous assessment for the students who have failed this element.
Description

The overall aim is to familiarize the students with the operation and implementation of data communications used to exchange information between computer systems. In particular the course aims to provide a good understanding of the electrical characteristics of digital signals and the basic methods of data transmission, to introduce the concept of communication protocols and give an overview of Data Communication Standards and to give an introduction to the area of computer networks, with emphasis on the range of communication protocols utilized.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss the design principles of layered network protocol stack models.
2. Compare and contrast digital transmission techniques and apply various encoding and modulation techniques
3. Describe functionality of the data link layer and use various error detection and correction solutions
4. Discuss the design decisions behind various MAC and LLC protocols, Ethernet, token ring, token bus, FDDI, WLAN
5. Determine optimal network routing using distance vector and link-state network routing protocols
6. Solve network-related problems



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24No Description
Independent Study81No Description
Laboratory20No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Network Reference Models
OSI and TCP/IP

Physical Aspects (Basics)
Transmission Media, Attenuation and Distortion Sources, Signal Types, etc.

Physical Aspects (Advanced)
Data Transmission, Error Detection Methods, etc.

Data Link Layer
Go-Back-N retransmission techniques

Local Area Networks (Basics)
Ethernet, Token Ring, Token Bus, etc.

The Network layer
Routing, Inter-networking, etc.

The Transport layer (Basics)
UDP and TCP Protocols

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment25% Examination Weight75%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Laboratory Portfolioperform 5 network related experiments and analyse results.25%Every Week
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Andrew S. Tanenbaum: 2003, Computer networks, 4, Prentice Hall PTR, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 978-0130661029
  • Fred Halsall: 2005, Computer Networking and the Internet, 5, Addison-Wesley, Pearson Education, ISBN 0-321-26358-8
  • Fred Halsall: 1996, Data Communications, Computer Networks and Open Systems, 4, Addison-Wesley, Pearson Education, ISBN 0-201-42293-X
  • James Kurose and Keith Ross: 2021, Computer Networking: A Topdown Approach,
Other Resources

None

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