Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title COMMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS & SECURITY
Code ELEC461
Coordinator Prof AJ Marshall
Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Alan.Marshall@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 7 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims
  • To introduce the principles of communications networks, their components and protocols.   
  • To provide students with the tools and techniques to analyse the performance of the main communications protocols, including: link layer, MAC layer, Network Layer (IP) including the main routing protocols, the transport control protocol (TCP), and basic packet queuing theory.

  • To provide an overview of the main topic areas in network/Cyber secuity including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, key ciphers and applied cryptogrphy, and secure sockets layer (SSL).

    		•

    Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
    Signals and Systems; Communication Systems A first degree in EEE or Computer Science is required for an MSc student.  

    Co-requisite modules:
     

    Learning Outcomes
    Knowledge and Understanding:

    On successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

    - The structure of communications networks and how these can be described and analysed using standard reference models (OSI, TCP/IP).

    - The common protocols used over the major  wired and wireless networks, and ther Interent. 

    - The concept of quality of service (QoS) as applied to networks, and the techniques for implementing it.

    - The essential parts of an Interent router and the main routing protocols used over the Interent.

    - The basic issues concerning how to secure networks and the techniques used to address these.

    Intellectual Abilities:

    On successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge of the above topics to:

    - Design and analyse communications networks

    - Analyse the behaviour, and predict the performance of the communications protocols they have learned.

    - Analyse and predict the behaviour of queues in packet switched networks.

    - Analyse and predict the performance of common Internet routing algorithms when applied to differnt network topologies. 

    - Analyse QoS for communications networks. 

    - Analyse the security requirements for specific networks and network configurations.

    Syllabus
    1  1 Introduction 
    • Module Overview; assessment; relation with other modules
    • Introduction - the Internet
      3 4 5 6  7 9
    • Overview of communications networks
      • Reason and topology for networking
      • Network classification
      • Network architectures
      • Network reference models
      • Network applications and trends

    2 Physical Layer of Communication Networks

    • Theoretical Basis for Data Communication
    • Transmission Media and Wireless Transmission
    • Public Switched Telephone Network
    • Cellular Networks 
    3 Data Link Layer of Communication Networks
    • Functions of the Data Link Layer
    • Design Issues of the Data Link Layer
      • Framing
      • Forward Error Control
      • Link Layer Performance
      • ARQ Error Control (via retransmission)
      • Flow Control
      • 4 5 6  7 9
    • Example Data Link Protocols 
    4 MAC Sublayer of Communication Networks
    • Broadcast Networks
    • Multiple Access Protocols
      • Co ntention/ Random Access protocols
      • Throughput analysis of Aloha protocols
      • CSMA/CD
    • LANs
      • Ethernet (IEEE 802.3)
      • Wireless LANs (IEEE 802.11) 
    5 Network Layer of Communication Networks
    • Overview of the Netw ork Layer
      • virtual circuits
        Network inpairments and QoS parameters
    • Routing
      • Architecture of a basic router
      • Basic routing functions
      • Path Determination and Optimality
      • Algorithms: Shortest path, Bellman-Ford and Link-State routing
    • Congestion Control
    • Internetworking
    • The Network Layer in the Internet
      • IPv4 and IPv6
      • IP addressing 
    6 Transport Layer of Communication Networks 
    • Overview of the transport layer
    • Transport protocol
      Addressing 7 9
      • Multiplexing
      • Flow Control
      • Error Control
      • Connection Management
    • Transport Protocols in the Internet:
      • User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
      • Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
         7 9
     7 Packet Switching and Queuing Theory 
    • Circuit versus Packet switching
    • Interent Router architectures
    • Switch fabrics and packet  switch architectures
      9
    • Basic queuing theory
      • loss and delay systems
      • Kendall''s notation and classification of queuing models
      • M/M/1, M/D/1, M/G/1
      • multi-server queues and PK formulae
      • applications of queuing theory

    8 Application Layer of Communication Networks

    • DNS--The Domain Name System
    • E-Mail
    • WWW
    • Multimedia 
    9 Network Security
    • Overview of Network and CyberSecurity
    • Firewalls
    • State and stateful packet inspection
    • Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems
    • Hashing and Authentication
    • Key ciphers and public key cryptography
    • Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

     

    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lecture -

    Tutorial -

    Seminars/Tutorials

    Assessment -

    formal examination

    Teaching Schedule
      Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
    Study Hours 30

    		   10

    		     3

    		 43
    Timetable (if known)     Seminars/Tutorials
          		    formal examination
          		 
    Private Study 107
    TOTAL HOURS 150

    Assessment
    EXAM Duration Timing
    (Semester)    		 % of
    final
    mark    		 Resit/resubmission
    opportunity    		 Penalty for late
    submission    		 Notes
    Written Exam  3 hours  Semester 2  100  Yes  Standard University Policy Applies  Assessment 1 Notes (applying to all assessments) Formal exam  
    CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
    (Semester)    		 % of
    final
    mark    		 Resit/resubmission
    opportunity    		 Penalty for late
    submission    		 Notes
                 

    Reading List
    Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
    Explanation of Reading List: