This module aims to introduce the fundamental concepts underpinning present day telecommunications networks and the Internet. The content is divided into a number of specific areas:

Fundamentals:

this will introduce the fundamentals of data communications. It will focus on the key ideas of protocol stacks and layering: the need for individual layers to serve the layer above, providing functionality of its own, whilst then being served by the layer beneath. With specific emphasis on the network and transport layers, the module will then look at the base internet communication protocols, including IPv4, IPv6, TCP and UDP. The concepts of IP addressing and subnetting will also be covered.

Routing:

the second area will introduce the protocols used to support the routing of IP packets across the Internet; such protocols include BGP and RIP. Also covered at this point will be the concept of bootstrapping networked systems, looking at techniques to support network address discovery and allocation.

Data transmission:

this area focuses on link layer issues around data transmission, including controlling signal transmission in networks, token vs. carrier sense based systems, and Ethernet. It will also look at home networking technologies such as DSL.