Hawassa University Department Address:

Daye Campus Tel:-

Module Title Computer Networks and Communication Module Code InTe-M3021

Instructor’s Name:
Information Office Number: Email:
Consultation Hour:
Course Academic Year: 2
Information Semester: II
Course Schedule:
Class Room:
Prerequisite(s): None
Course The course aims at exploring the various types of data communication systems, networks and their
Description applications. The content includes: computer networks, seven layer architecture, OSI & TCP/IP suite
of protocols, network hardware, network software, standardization, guided transmission media,
wireless transmission, data link layer, Ethernet and IP addressing. It involves practical session on
Cabling and crimping, Configuring TCP/IP, Peer to Peer Networking, Sharing Files, Sharing
Printers, Client-server Networking, Steps for Creating a home or small office Network, experiencing
collaboration tools, installing & Configuring Network Operating System, Exploring Server Roles,
setting up a DNS Server, setting up a DHCP server, Domain controller and IP Addressing
Learning Up on the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
Outcomes  Describe the basics of data communications and network
 Explain the benefits and the need for network
 Understand data transmission and transmission media
 Understand Protocols and various networking components
 Understand TCP/IP & OSI Reference Model
 Demonstrate cable crimping, establishing, setup and troubleshooting networks
 Demonstrate network addressing
 Understanding network Equipment
 Understand network security and data integrity
Course Content
Topic Duration (Week)
Chapter 1: Introduction Week 1-2
1.1. History & overview of Networks
1.2. The Impact of Networks on daily life
1.3. Network role & Elements
1.4. Network Architecture Characteristics
1.4.1. Data security
1.4.2. Data integrity
1.4.3. Network performance
1.5. Computer network Versus Human Network
1.6. Some network topologies (bus, star, mesh ring)
Chapter 2: Data Communication Week 3-4
2.1 What is communication
2.2 The Platform for communication
2.2.1 Communicating the message
2.3 Data Transmission
2.3.1 Concepts and Terminology
2.3.2 Analog and Digital Data Transmission
2.3.3 Transmission Media
2.3.3.1 Guided media
2.3.3.2 Unguided media
2.3.4 Transmission Impairments
2.4 Components of the network
2.4.1 End Devices & their role
2.4.2 Intermediary Devices & their role
2.4.3 Network Media
Chapter 3: Network Types Week 5
3.1 LANs, MANs and WANs and Internetworks
3.2 Peer to Peer versus Server Based Networks
3.3 Packet-switched and Circuit switched networks
3.4 Network cabling & Topologies
3.5 Overview of network topologies (Mesh star, tree, bus, and ring)
Chapter 4: Protocols Week 6-7
4.1 Rules & Network Protocols
4.2 Protocol suites & Industry Standards
4.3 Layered Models
4.3.1 The TCP/IP Model
4.3.2 The OSI Model
4.3.3 Comparing OSI Model with TCP/IP Model
4.3.4 Overview of familiar Protocols
Chapter 5: OSI Reference Model Week 8-9
5.1 Layered Framework of OSI
5.2 Overview & functions of Each layer
5.2.1 Bits, Datagram, packet & Frames
5.2.2 Physical Signaling & Encoding
Chapter 6: Switching & Multiplexing Week 10-11
6.1. Switching Concepts and Types
6.2. Multiplexing Concepts and Types
6.3. Introduction to Ethernet & Wireless Networks
6.1.1. Ethernet and Fast Ethernet
6.1.2. Introduction to Wireless Network
Chapter 7: Introduction to IP Addressing and Subnetting Week 12-13
7.1. Classful & Classless Addressing
7.2. Subnetting and Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM)
Chapter 8: Data Security and Integrity Week 14-15
8.1. Fundamentals of Secure networks; cryptography
8.2. Encryption and Privacy
8.3. Authentication Protocols
8.4. Firewalls
8.5. Virtual Private networks
8.6. Transport layer security
Exam Week Week 15-16
Required Hardware: Standalone Computers, printer, UTP cable, complete network toolkit,
software and/or hub/switch, RJ-45 connectors, etc.
Software: Network Operating systems, Simulators
hardware tools
Teaching The course will be delivered in the form of lectures, presentations, group discussions, Lab practice
Strategy and individual and group project works

Assessment The evaluation shall be based on both formative and summative assessment which include:
Criteria Assessment Forms % of credit allotted
• Quizzes and Tests 30
• Lab tests and Presentation 20
• Final examination 50
Reference Textbook:
1. Data Communications and Networking, 4th Ed., Behrouz A. Forouzan
2. Data Communications and Networking, 5th Edition, Behrouz A. Forouzan

Reference:
1. A S Tannenbaum " Computer Networks" Prentice Hall of India Publication,
2002
2. . Data and Computer Communications, 8th ed., William Stalling
3. Computer Networking. Kurose & Ross. Addison Wesley
4. Fred Halshall "Data Communication, Computer Networks & Open systems"
Publication Pearson Education
5. Any Cisco Material (CCNA Module1) will be helpful
6. Andrew S. Tanenbaum, David J. Wetherall, Computer Networks (5th Edition), Pearson; 2010.
7. William Stallings, Data and Computer Communications, 10th Edition, Pearson, 2014
Role of Delivers lectures, conduct lab session, prepares reading assignments and topics for group discussion,
Instructor(s) prepares projects by discussion with student, gives consultation and advises students on project
works and assignments, prepares and evaluates quiz, assignment, midterm and final examination.
Role of Attend lectures, lab session and presentation, work in team on group work, participate in group
Students discussion, discusses with the instructor on topics of interest for project work, delivers and presents
project work, attend quiz, midterm and final examination.
Lab Content Duration (Week)
Designing cables Week 1
1.1. Crossover cable
1.2. Straight-through cable
1.3. Rollover cable
Creating Peer to Peer network Week 2
1.1. Building a Switched based network
1.2. Sharing Files and Printers between Windows OSs
1.3. Sharing Files between Windows OSs
Study of IPv4 Address Week 3
3.1. Classification of IP Addresses
3.2. Subnetting
3.3. Supernetting
3.4. NIC addressing
Study of Basic Network Configuration commands Week 4
4.1. ping
4.2. tracert/traceroute
4.3. ifconfig/ipconfig
4.4. netstat
4.5. telnet
4.6. ssh
4.7. ftp
4.8. nslookup and pathping