School of Electrical and Information Engineering

le
of E ctric
ol olofElect al
rica School of Electrical and Information Engineering
o
Sch
o
l

an
Sch University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

d
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

and
ring
Inf

ien g
ne ELEN4017 – Network Fundamentals
In
or or

ELEN4017 – Network Fundamentals

er
m
maation E nEgningei
f

t ion

Course Brief and Outline: 2023

Course Brief and Outline: 2022

Course Lecturer:
Course Lecturer:
Mr. B. Rosen

Prof. L.
Email: Cheng
[email protected]
Room: CM4 380
Tel: 011 7177228
1 Course Background
Email: [email protected]
Networks constitute an integral component of our daily lives. Whether it is the internet (World
Wide Web) for web-browsing, the local LAN network at our offices, schools and homes or the
cellular network that we use to make mobile-calls, we make use of different type of networks
1 Course Background
all the time and thus is an important field of study/work especially for electrical and computer
engineers/scientists/programmers. Networking also plays a crucial role in emerging areas of
research e.g. High Performance Computing, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things etc.
Networks constitute an integral component of our daily lives. Whether, it is the internet (World
Each
Widenetwork
Web) foris built by making use
web-browsing, theof local
certainLAN
principles and at
network methodologies
our offices, and the aim
schools of homes
and this or the
course is to introduce to students the basic of networking principles. This will involve learning
cellular network that we use to make mobile-calls, we make use of di↵erent type of networks
about the basics of networking technology, types of networks, network protocol layers, specific
all the time
algorithms and thus
at each is an
protocol important
layer and the usefield of study/work
of tools to monitor especially
networks andforbasics
electrical and
of how to computer
engineers/scientists/programmers.
use programming to create networking Networking is also
applications e.g. playing
email, a crucial
web-browser, role in
chatting emerging
and social- areas of
research e.g.
networking High Performance
applications etc. Computing, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things etc.
Each network is built by making use of certain principles and methodologies and the aim of this
course is to introduce to students the basic of networking principles. This will involve learning
2 Course Objectives
about the basics of networking technology, types of networks, network protocol layers, specific
algorithms at each protocol layer and the use of tools to monitor networks and basics of how to
• Each telecoms/computer network is built by making use of certain principles and
use programming
methodologiesto create
and networking
the aim applications
of this course e.g.toemail,
is to introduce web-browser,
students chatting and social-
the basic of networking
networking applications
principles underlyingetc.
all of these networks.
• Make the students learn about the basics of networking technology, types of networks and
OSI protocol stack.
2 Course Objectives
• Show to the students how to model and solve important networking parameters by exploiting
the relationship amongst those parameters.
• Each telecoms/computer network is built by making use of certain principles and methodolo-
• Enable thethe
gies and students
aim oftothis
develop an isunderstanding
course to introduce of
tospecific
studentsalgorithms
the basicused at different principles
of networking
protocol layers which are most relevant
underlying all of these networks. to networking i.e. Application Layer, Transport
Layer, Network Layer and Data-link layer.
• Make the students learn about the basics of networking technology, types of networks and
• Expose the students to hands-on experience with tools used for monitoring networks and help
OSI protocol stack.
them develop software programs to create networking applications e.g. email, web-browser,
chatting and social- networking applications etc.
• Show to the students how to model and solve important networking parameters by exploiting
the relationship amongst those parameters.
• Enable the students to develop an understanding of specific algorithms used at di↵erent
protocol layers which are most relevant to networking i.e. Application Layer, Transport
Layer, Network Layer and Data-link layer.
1 Page 1 of 5
• Expose the students to hands-on experience with tools used for monitoring networks and help
them develop software programs to create networking applications e.g. email, web-browser,
chatting and social- networking applications etc.
3 Course Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, the student is able to:

3.1 Knowledge
• Describe the important components of a network and differentiate between different types of
networks.
• Describe the ISO protocol stack, the need for different protocol layers and explain services
provided by the Transport Layer.
• Demonstrate the structure and working of important protocols at different layers e.g. HTTP,
FTP, DNS, TCP, IP etc.
• Understand the working of two important types of packet networks i.e. 1) Virtual Circuits
and 2) Datagram networks and explain the associated pros and cons.
• Describe how a router works.
• Understand working of important routing protocols for Internet.

3.2 Skills

After completion of this course, the student will have developed the following skills:

• Ability to model and solve different parameters of networks for a given network specification.
• Do socket programming with TCP and/or UDP.
• Create and perform different Reliable Data Transfer Protocols with respect to different set
of requirements.
• Perform and analyze pipelined reliable data transfer protocols.
• Perform IP addressing/subnetting with respect to a particular set of network’s
addressing requirements.
• Perform 2 important types of routing protocols i.e. 1) Link-State Routing and 2) Distance
Vector Routing and describe their pros and cons.
• Mathematical modelling and analysis of the performance of different medium access protocols
in the Data-link layer.

4 Course Content

The contents of this course are as per Rules & Syllabuses: Faculty of Engineering and the Built
Environment. It states:
This course will explore the concepts, principles and architecture of communication networks,
making reference to appropriate examples from the internet and public telephony networks (PSTN).
The ISO reference model will be used to discuss each of the layers and the functionality it performs.
Application layer discussions will focus on standardized protocols that support many application
types. Transport layer discussions will focus on achieving reliable transfer over an unreliable
channel, flow and congestion control. Network layer discussions will cover global hierarchical
addressing and the operation of routing. The data link layer will cover local area networks and
their operation.

2 Page 2 of 5
5 Prior Knowledge Assumed

The following prior knowledge is assumed on the part of students starting this course:
All third year courses, ELEN3024 mandatory.
The prerequisites and co-requisites for this course are as per Rules & Syllabuses: Faculty of
Engineering and the Built Environment.

6 Assessment

The student will have reached the outcomes if he/she can:

• Describe the important components of a network, differentiate between different types of

networks and is able to identify and explain the purpose and working of protocols residing
in different layers in the protocol stack.
• Show the different components of a router and explain their purpose.
• Model a networking problem in terms of important parameters of the network and solve for
the unknown parameters making use of the available information and by making reasonable
assumptions.
• Perform coding in any software language for the task of socket programming and use this
skill in the project to develop a prototype networking application.
• Design a reliable data transfer protocol based on a given set of errors present in a network.
• Perform IP addressing/subnetting with respect to a particular set of network’s addressing
requirements.
• Demonstrate the working of the Link-state and the distance-vector network routing
algorithms for a given network topology.
• Model the performance of important protocols at the data-link layer using the relevant
mathematical tools.

6.1 Formative Assessments Elements

All submissions must be in strict accordance with the guidelines contained in the School’s Blue
Book and the rules contained in the School’s Red Book. No exceptions will be considered.

6.2 Summative Assessment

Summative assessment contributions

• Laboratories (20%)
• Project (30%)
• Quiz (10%)
• Exam (40%) – 35% FSUB

6.3 Assessment Methods

As per the rule G-13 as posted on the student notice board as well. The course knowledge area
will be assessed by means of project, quiz and exam.

3 Page 3 of 5
7 Satisfactory Performance (SP) Requirements
For the purpose of Rule G.13 satisfactory performance in the work of the class means attendance
and completion of prescribed laboratory activities, attendance at tutorials designated as
compulsory in this CB&O, submission of assignments, writing of scheduled tests unless excused
in terms of due procedure. Note that the exam requires a sub-minimum of 35% in
order to pass the course. That means that even if the average mark for the course
is above 50% and you obtained less than 35% for the exam, you will not have
satisfied the requirements to pass the course.

8 Teaching and Learning Process

8.1 Teaching and Learning Approach

• ELO 1: The students would be required to mathematically model and solve a number of
problems related to networking in terms of different network parameters, and eventually
analyze and interpret the obtained solution.
• ELO 2: Application of knowledge of basic mathematics and basic communication engineering
learned in 3rd year to model and solve problems related to network design and/or analysis
for a given set of specifications.
• ELO 4: Lab work involving use of tools to analyze the captured packets over a network and
analyze and interpret their contents.
• ELO 5: The use of a programming language to develop a basic network application, using
the socket programming skills, in the course project.
• ELO 6: Technical report about the project would be submitted by the students and assessed.
• ELO 11: The project will require management of the complete project lifecycle, involving
the precise specification of the project, features to be implemented, creation of timeline and
allocation of resources and then eventual execution of the project and its submission by the
deadline.

8.2 Information to Support the Course

Course Textbook:
James F. Kurose, and Keith W. Ross, “Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach” 7th
Edition, Pearson, 2016.

8.3 Learning Activities and Arrangements

Lectures There are multiple weekly synchronous sessions scheduled and provided by the course
coordinator. Lectures will be used to cover some material not included in course notes. The
final examination will assume that students are familiar with all material covered in the
notes, in the project, in the theory assessment and during lecture periods.

Laboratories There are multiple laboratories to be completed in the designated computer lab.
The laboratories will cover some of the more practical aspects of the course, and will
provide a background with which to approach the project.
Tutorials There are multiple synchronous sessions scheduled and provided by the course
coordinator and tutors.
Project/Assignment Details on the course project, including deliverables required and deadline,
will be provided during lectures in the form of handouts as well as being made available on
the course site. All submissions must be in strict accordance with the guidelines contained
in the School’s Blue Book and the rules contained in the School’s Red Book. No exceptions
will be considered.

4 Page 4 of 5
Consultation All questions arising from the laboratories must be directed to the demonstrator
responsible. Questions relating to the use of the laboratory and its equipment must be
directed to the lecturer. Questions relating to lectures and course material must be directed to
the lecturer either during lectures or during formal consultation periods. Formal consultation
periods will be scheduled at students’ request. Students must, however, try to resolve any
problems amongst themselves first.

9 Course Home Page

Further information and announcements regarding the course are posted on the course site on
Ulwazi. All students are expected to consult the course site at regular intervals.

©Copyright School of Electrical and Information Engineering, All Rights Reserved.

5 Page 5 of 5