Network Protocols and Architectures (Lecture, WS 2011/12)

The lecture explains the architecture of the Internet and the basics of every communication within it. Beginning with the application layer services like Web (HTTP), Mail (SMTP, POP, IMAP) or name service (DNS) are examined. Afterwards we work through the transport layer (TCP, UDP) and the network layer (IP). Finally, we discuss the interactions of the different protocols. The lower layers (medium access control, data link and physical) are covered by the lecture "TechGI 4" (offered by Prof. Wolisz).

• Information about the tutorials

• The lecture is over.

The lecture explains advances principles of computer entworks based on fundamentals of the topic. The topics are protocol mechanisms, principles of implementation, network algorithms, advanced network architectures, network simulation, network measurement, as well as techniques of protocols specification and verification.

• Protocols: mechanisms and principles of design
  Discussion of mechanisms and techniques of protocols used in network protocols. We will discuss why they are used for which purpose.
  • signaling
  • separation of control and data channel
  • soft state and hard state
  • use of randomization
  • indirection
  • multiplexing of resources
  • localization of services
  • network virtualization: overlays
  • …

• Protocols: implementation mechanisms
  Identification and study of principles, that lead to the implementation of network protocols
  • system principles
  • reflections on efficiency
  • caveats / case studies

• Network architecture: "the big picture"
  Identification and study of principles that lead the design of network architectures. We consider substantial questions rather than specific protocol and implementation tricks.
  • Internet design principles
  • lessons learnt from the Internet
  • architecture of telephone network
  • circuit switching versus packet switching (revisited)

• Protocols: network algorithms
  • self stabilization (examples of routing)
  • Kelly's congestion control framework
  • closed loop control on the example of TCP

• Simulation
  • principles of discrete event simulation
  • analysis of simulation results
  • packet versus flow models
  • bounding strategies (e.g., Chernoff bounds)
  • Gaussian distributions

If you are interested in attending, please make sure you are subscribed to the corresponding ISIS website (open 19 October) to receive information and announcements.

We will offer this lecture twice:
On wednesdays at 10 a.m the lecture will be held in German, on thursdays at 2 p.m. the same lecture will be held again but this time in English.

If you are enrolled for a bachelor's or master's course at TU Berlin, you are required to take the module "Netzwerkarchitekturen – Grundlagen" ("Network architectures – Basics"; MINF-KT-NA/Glg.W11) which includes the tutorials. Therefore, you are required to pass the tutorials.
Diplom students can either take this course with the tutorials (4 SWS/6 LP) or without (2 SWS/3 LP).

Please see the tutorial's website for details.

You need 50% of the possible points to pass the tutorials. Again, not passing the tutorials means that you will only get 2 SWS/3 LP for this course. This does not satisfy the requirement of the module "Netzwerkarchitekturen – Grundlagen"

The details for registering for the exam are to be announced and will be given in the lecture and the tutorials as well.

There will be a grading bonus for those who achieve sufficient points for their homework solutions (tutorials):

• A bonus of 0.3 if at least 60% of the possible points are achieved.
• A bonus of 0.7 if at least 75% of the possible points are achieved.

The requirement for granting the bonus is to pass the exam without the bonus! (Those who do not pass will not pass due to the bonus.)

Further reading

• James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross. Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach. Addison-Wesley, fourth edition, 2007. (englisch), online version (preliminary version of 1st edition, password will be given during the course)
• James F. Kurose und Keith W. Ross. Computernetze: Ein Top-Down-Ansatz mit Schwerpunkt Internet. Pearson Studium (Prentice Hall), München, Deutschland, 2002. (deutsch)
• Larry L. Peterson and Bruce S. Davie. Computer Networks: A Systems Approach. Morgan Kaufmann, fourth edition, 2007. (english)
• Andrew S. Tanenbaum. Computer Networks. Prentice Hall Professional Technical Reference, Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA, fourth edition, 2003. (english)
• Andrew S. Tanenbaum. Computernetzwerke. Pearson Studium (Prentice Hall), München, Deutschland, dritte revidierte Auflage, 2000. (deutsch)
• W. Richard Stevens. TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1: The Protocols, Addison-Wesley, 1994. (english)
• W. Richard Stevens. TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 2: The Implementation, Addison-Wesley, 1995. (english)
• W. Richard Stevens. TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 3: TCP for Transactions, HTTP, NNTP, and the UNIX Domain Protocols, Addison-Wesley, 1996. (english)