Course Overview
● Program: Diploma in Engineering (Information Technology) – Semester III
● Total Lecture Hours: 40 Hours
● Total Credits: 4
● Evaluation Scheme: Theory (Internal: 50, External: 50) | Practical/Viva (Internal: 25,
External: 25)
Hour-by-Hour Micro Plan
Unit 1: Introduction to Computer Networks and Internet (6 Hours)
● Course Outcome: CO-1 (Understand the basic terminologies used in networking and
layered architecture)
Hour Lecture Topic(s) Linked Practical/Tutorial
Exercise PDF
Hour Conceptual understanding of Practical 1: Study of different
1 networks and the structure of the network devices (Hubs, Switches,
Internet. Routers, Repeaters).
Hour The Network Core: Packet Practical 2 (Part A): Study of
2 switching, circuit switching, and different types of network cables
routing basics. (Cross-wired vs. Straight-through
cables).
Hour Understanding performance metrics: Performance metric calculation and
3 Delay (Transmission, Propagation, analysis tutorial.
Queuing, Processing), Packet Loss,
and Throughput.
Hour Layered Architecture: Core Introduction to network packet
4 concepts, protocol layering, structures.
encapsulation, and decapsulation
concepts.
Hour The ISO/OSI Reference Model: Mapping network devices studied in
5 Detailed study of the 7 layers and Practical 1 to their respective OSI
functions. layers.
Hour The TCP/IP Model: Detailed study Practical 4: Study of basic
6 of its 4-5 layers and comparison networking commands (ping,
with the OSI model. traceroute, ipconfig, netstat).
Unit 2: The Link Layer and Local Area Networks (7 Hours)
● Course Outcome: CO-2 (Demonstrate the different link layer terminologies)
Hour Lecture Topic(s) Linked Practical/Tutorial
Exercise PDF
Hour Introduction to data link layer Analyzing physical vs. logical
7 services and link layer addressing addresses using network
(MAC Addresses). commands.
Hour Error-detection and correction Error checking validation examples.
8 techniques: Parity checking and
Checksum methods.
Hour Error-detection using Cyclic Practical 3: Write a C Program for
9 Redundancy Check (CRC). CRC Error Detection.
Hour Multiple Access Protocols: Random Conceptual workflows of collision
10 Access (ALOHA, CSMA, domains.
CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA).
Hour Ethernet standards, frame Analyzing frame headers.
11 structures, and physical media layer
constraints.
Hour Link-Layer Switches: Operation, Practical 8: Study of Network
12 self-learning tables, filtering, and Simulator (e.g., Cisco Packet
forwarding mechanics. Tracer interface).
Hour Virtual Local Area Networks Topology planning configurations.
13 (VLANs): Motivation, port-based
VLAN configuration, and trunks.
Unit 3: Network Layer (10 Hours)
● Course Outcome: CO-3 (Design network architecture, assign IP addressing and apply
routing algorithms)
Hour Lecture Topic(s) Linked Practical/Tutorial Exercise
PDF
Hour Introduction to the Network Layer: Inter-networking infrastructure
14 Core functions of data-plane identification.
forwarding and control-plane
routing.
Hour Network Service Models: Virtual Routing path visual breakdowns.
15 Circuit Networks vs. Datagram
Networks.
Hour Structure of a Router: Input ports, Hardware device internals overview.
16 switching fabrics, and output
ports.
Hour The IP Protocol: IPv4 Datagram Parsing packet field headers.
17 format, fragmentation, and
reassembly mechanics.
Hour IP Addressing: Classful Practical 5 (Part A): Study of
18 Addressing scheme (Classes A, Classful network IP addresses.
B, C, D, E).
Hour IP Addressing: Classless Inter- Practical 5 (Part B) & Practical 6:
19 Domain Routing (CIDR) and Study of classless addresses, Subnet
Subnetting. Masks, and Default Gateways.
Hour IP Address Validation Practical 7: Write a program to
20 Programming. identify the class of given IP
addresses in dotted decimal notation.
Hour Introduction to IPv6 Addressing: Analyzing IPv6 address
21 Motivations, address formats, and representation.
differences from IPv4.
Hour Routing Algorithms: Link-State Shortest-path manual matrix
22 (Dijkstra’s) Routing Algorithm. calculations.
Hour Routing Algorithms: Distance- Multi-node tracking tutorials.
23 Vector (Bellman-Ford) Routing
Algorithm; Broadcast and
Multicast routing.
Unit 4: Transport Layer (10 Hours)
● Course Outcome: CO-4 (Describe and implement principles of connectionless and
connection-oriented protocols)
Hour Lecture Topic(s) Linked Practical/Tutorial
Exercise PDF
Hour Introduction to Transport Layer services; Logical communication
24 Relationship between network and analysis.
transport layers.
Hour Multiplexing and Demultiplexing processes Network port usage
25 (Connectionless vs. Connection-oriented identification.
mapping).
Hour Connectionless Transport: User Datagram Simulating UDP application
26 Protocol (UDP) segment structure and packet streams.
checksum rules.
Hour Principles of Reliable Data Transfer: Finite State Machine (FSM)
27 Building reliable protocols over unreliable tracking.
channels (rdt 1.0, 2.0).
Hour Reliable Data Transfer: Pipelined protocols Window size logic
28 (Go-Back-N and Selective Repeat). simulations.
Hour Connection-Oriented Transport: Header flags parsing
29 Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) overview.
segment structure and features.
Hour TCP Connection Management: Three-way State transition tracking
30 handshake setup and closing connections. exercises.
Hour TCP Flow Control and Reliable Data Sequence and
31 Transfer features. acknowledgment number
matching.
Hour Principles of Congestion Control: Causes, Traffic behavior scenarios.
32 costs, and approach strategies.
Hour TCP Congestion Control details: Slow Congestion window plotting
33 Start, Congestion Avoidance, Fast metrics.
Recovery, and AIMD mechanics.
Unit 5: Application Layer & Lab Implementation (7 Hours)
● Course Outcome: CO-5 (Understand application layer protocols for network utilities)
Hour Lecture Topic(s) Linked Practical/Tutorial Exercise
PDF
Hour Principles of Network Applications: Application tier architecture
34 Client-server architecture vs. P2P diagrams.
architecture.
Hour The Web and HTTP: Persistent vs. Network application configuration
35 Non-persistent connections, setups.
request/response message
formats.
Hour File Transfer Protocol (FTP): Practical 9: A basic LAN setup in
36 Active vs. Passive commands and Cisco Packet Tracer (Direct
out-of-band control signaling. connections using Hubs, Switches,
Routers).
Hour Electronic Mail System: Practical 10: Implement different
37 Architecture, agents, and Simple LAN topologies (Star, Bus, Ring)
Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). using a Simulator.
Hour Mail access protocols: Post Office Testing operational protocols inside
38 Protocol (POP) and Internet simulated nodes.
Message Access Protocol (IMAP).
Hour Operational Routing Configuration Practical 11: Implement the concept
39 (Part 1): Static parameters. of static routing inside a network
simulator.
Hour Operational Routing Configuration Practical 12: Implement the concept
40 (Part 2): Dynamic parameters. of dynamic routing inside a network
simulator.
Suggested Evaluation Blueprint (Theory)
When drafting exams corresponding to these units, the following learning domain weights apply:
● Remembering (R): 15%
● Understanding (U): 25%
● Application (A): 25%
● Analysis (N): 15%
● Evaluation (E): 20%
Recommended textbooks for mapping reading assignments to this plan include Forouzan's
"Data Communication and Networking" and Tanenbaum's "Computer Networks".