Unit 1: Data Communication Components &
Physical Layer
This unit focuses on the fundamentals of networking and physical data
transmission.
Data Flow & Networks: Data representation, data flow (simplex,
half-duplex, full-duplex), and network criteria.
Connections & Topologies: Types of connections (point-to-point,
multipoint) and network topologies (Mesh, Star, Tree, Bus, Ring,
Hybrid).
Protocols & Models: Protocols and standards, layered architecture, and
the OSI Model (all 7 layers).
Transmission Media: Guided media (Twisted-pair, Coaxial, Fiber-optic)
and Unguided media (Wireless, Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared).
LAN Technologies: Wired LANs (Ethernet), Wireless LANs (IEEE 802.11),
Connecting devices (Hubs, Switches, Routers), and Virtual LANs
(VLANs).
Bandwidth Utilization Techniques:
Multiplexing: FDM (Frequency Division), TDM (Time Division), and
WDM (Wave Division).
Spread Spectrum: FHSS (Frequency Hopping) and DSSS (Direct
Sequence).
Unit 2: Data Link Layer & Medium Access
Sub-Layer
The main purpose of this unit is to manage error control, flow control,
and shared media.
Error Detection & Correction:
● Fundamentals and Block coding.
Hamming Distance and CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check).
Flow & Error Control Protocols:
Stop-and-Wait ARQ.
Sliding Window protocols: Go-Back-N ARQ and Selective Repeat ARQ.
Piggybacking technique.
Multiple Access Protocols (MAC Layer):
Random Access: Pure ALOHA, Slotted ALOHA.
Carrier Sense: CSMA/CD (for wired) and CSMA/CA (for wireless).
Channelization: CDMA.
Unit 3: Network Layer
This unit deals with routing and logical addressing (IP addresses) so
that data packets can reach the correct destination.
Switching: Circuit switching, Packet switching, and Message switching.
Logical Addressing: IPv4 and IPv6 addressing formats and their
differences.
Address Mapping & Configuration:
● ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) and RARP.
BOOTP and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).
Delivery, Forwarding & Routing: Packet delivery methods, forwarding
concepts, and Unicast Routing Protocols (such as RIP, OSPF, or BGP).
Unit 4: Transport Layer
The function of this layer is to provide reliable or fast end-to-end
(process-to-process) communication.
Core Protocols:
UDP (User Datagram Protocol): Connectionless and fast.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): Connection-oriented and reliable.
SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol).
Congestion Control & QoS:
Congestion control principles and Quality of Service (QoS).
Traffic Shaping Algorithms: Leaky Bucket and Token Bucket algorithms.
Unit 5: Application Layer & Security
This is the topmost layer that acts as the interface between users and
network services, and it also includes network security.
Core Internet Services:
● DNS (Domain Name Space) and DDNS (Dynamic DNS).
TELNET (Remote login).
EMAIL protocols (SMTP, POP3, IMAP).
FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
WWW and HTTP / HTTPS.
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).
Wireless Technology:
Bluetooth architecture.
Network Security:
● Firewalls (Types and working).
Basic concepts of Cryptography (Symmetric and Asymmetric key
encryption).