Module: Data Communications & Networks II

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Data Communications & Networks II
Module Code	EEN1030 (ITS: EE321)
Faculty	Electronic Engineering	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

INACTIVE - The aim of the module is to introduce the students to higher network layer-related concepts and in particular to develop their understanding of transport and application level protocols. Students will be introduced to the requirements of modern data transport for real-time applications. Students will be introduced to the concept of network quality of service (QoS) Students will analyse the implications of QoS on data transport and how this affects the users.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe network Quality of Service metrics
2. Analyse the impact of QoS metrics on traffic delivery for different traffic types.
3. Describe network protocols at the application and transport layers and assess their appropriateness for transport of various traffic types.
4. Compare different network implementations and analyse their benefits and deficiencies in delivering different types of data
5. List relevant standards and standards bodies and identify QoS parameter values using standards.
6. write basic network applications.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Laboratory	10	python based socket programming to support assignments
Directed learning	8	tutorial problems
Independent Study	73	No Description
Assignment Completion	10	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20710	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Jennifer McManis	Module Teacher	Sobia Jangsher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	network programming	6%	Week 4
Assignment	network programming	6%	Week 4
Assignment	network programming	6%	Week 6
Assignment	network programming	7%	Week 6
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	75%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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 Architecture
Core vs. access network. telephony, wireless, cable networks.

socket programming.
python socket programming

non-real-time applications
Web service, DNS and HTTP. File transfer and FTP. E-mail service, SMTP, POP3 and IMAP.

transport layer
TCP vs. UDP

real-time network applications
voice over IP, video streaming

network support of QoS
IntServ and DiffServ

protocol support of QoS
RTP, RTCP, RTSP, SIP

Quality of Service
QoS parameters and network performance analysis. Loss, delay and delay jitter.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

James Kurose and Keith Ross: 2013, Computer Networking: A Top-down Approach, 6th, Addison Wesley,
Andrew Tanenbaum: 2003, Computer Networks, 4th, Prentice Hall,
Fred Halsall: 2004, Multimedia Communications: Applications, Networks, Protocols, and Standards, 1, Addison Wesley,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

ITU-T: 2001, Recommendation G.1010, 64796
IETF: RFC home page, http://www.ietf.org/rfc.html,