ECE 1256: Communication Networks Laboratory
 
Investigates basic principles of modern communication networks in a hands-on
laboratory setting.  Students will 



Provides students with the opportunity to develop a deeper and more intuitive understanding 
of modern communication networks including basic principles of network design and performance

Provides students with the opportunity to 



Presents a detailed examination of the operation of the Internet using
a lab-based approach supplemented with readings and brief lectures. In-depth  
examination of  the  design and performance  of the DoD (TCP/IP) protocol
suite. Primary emphasis is on IP and TCP layer issues, including addressing, 
routing, congestion-control, reliable versus best-effort transport, IP
address-depletion and mobility.  Experiments focus on the demonstration of
problems, including, ARQ schemes, address-resolution and adaptation to network 
congestion, and offer students the opportunity to observe and/or develop
solutions.  Discusses and demonstrates high-layer protocols including FTP,
DNS, RPC, NFS and HTML.  Presents distributed   systems  concepts, 
introduction  to client-server programming and first, second and third  
generation LAN (Local-Area-Network) standards, including wireless LANs and 
ad-hoc networks, packet switch design concepts and bridges and routers.
The focus of this course is on the hand-on analysis of Internet protocol
operation and performance.  Students will conduct experiments with 
commercial  network equipment and measurement gear, and utilize simulation 
tools. Project will involve the implementation of a protocol in the lab.
This is a lab course focused on experimentation and implementation involving
network protocols.  Prior completion or concurrent registration in ECE 1458 
is recommended but not required. The necessary concepts will be covered in 
the lectures and readings.  Prereq. MTH 1384 or ECE 1330 and Junior or
Senior Standing.