Access Networks and Shared Media

This is an introductory course on network protocol and architectures, starting on physical and data link layer within network protocol architecture, focusing on the access to the media techniques and examples of access network technologies. Both shared and point-to-point network protocols are included.

The program is divided in four modules:
(1) FIRST MODULE: This module has the goal of defining basic concepts and to specify the general context as the foundation for following modules and for additional courses related with network protocols. Particularly, this module focuses on communication protocol architectures, using as examples most commons, like the OSI and TCP/IP models. This module includes an overview of some well-known and very used communication networks like the Switched Telephony Network, ISDN and Internet.
(2) SECOND MODULE: This module is focused on the physical layer, and all topics related with it, like functionalities of the physical level, types of cabling used nowadays and their functionality characteristics. Some
standards will be studied in order to comprehend all these characteristics. Furthermore, the Structured Cabling System will be studied based on several examples of use.
(3) THIRD MODULE: The main objective of this module is to study all topics related with the data link layer, going deeper on all necessary mechanisms to provide flow control, error control (FEC and ARQ techniques) and the definition and evaluation of all techniques used to share media on access networks, mainly.
(4) FOURTH MODULE: The last module has the goal of study common technologies for local area networks. Particularly, we will focus on ETHERNET (IEEE 802.3) and Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11) analyzing their
architectures, addressing, basic characteristics, deployment scenarios and dimensioning. Furthermore, we will study other topics like the internetworking between local area networks, their design and criteria.