King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
College of Computer Sciences and Engineering
Computer Engineering Department
COE 563 Design and Analysis of Computer Networks

Course Objectives: This course introduces methods of performance analysis for local area networks (LANs). The effect of performance requirements on the design of LANs is considered, and standard LAN architectures and protocols are examined in depth. Emphasis is placed on performance analysis of representative multi-access procedures.

Course Description: Introduction to the design and performance analysis of local computer networks. Review of LAN technologies, functions, structures, access protocols, transmission media, topology, baseband and broadband communications. Data flow in LANs. Circuit switching LANs, Delay and Blocking, packet switch interconnection fabrics and their performance analysis. Performance modeling and analysis of multiaccess techniques in polling, ring, and random access networks. Examples of standard high-speed LANs.

Pre-requisite: graduate standing.

Course Outline:

1.
Overview of computer communications (Chapters 1-2). (5 lectures)
2.
Data flow in queues: M/M/1 and M/G/1 queueing models, priority queues (Chapter 3). (7 lectures)

3.
LANs: Technologies, topologies, channel access techniques, performance measures (External reference). Basic access protocols: Fixed assignment, ALOHA, idealized central control. (Chapters 5-6) (7 lectures)

4.
Random access networks: Slotted ALOHA, CSMA, CSMA/CD. (Chapter 5). (6 lectures)

5.
Polling networks: Performance analysis, adaptive polling (Chapter 7). (6 lectures)

6.
Ring networks: Token ring, slotted ring, register insertion ring. (Chapter 8). (6 lectures)

7.
Protocols and network architecture: ISO Reference Model, IEEE 802 Standard, example networks (external reference). (3 lectures)

8.
Recent and future directions in research: Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, switched-based LANs (e.g., ATM LANs), Wireless LANs, local lightwave networks, integrated voice, data, video networks (external reference). (3 lectures)

Projects:

1.
Design and evaluation of a high-speed LAN interconnection networks. High-speed switched LAN with modular switching topology (throughput) and simple architecture (minimum switching delays). One alternative is to study a switching architecture that can achieve one-to-many communication (multicasting) while keeping a unified packet format for efficiency. Applications in high-speed LANs, network of workstation, and parallel processing. Study of a few papers on a class of proposed switches. Design of a switch simulator to evaluate performance together with traffic uniform and busrty generation.