The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to develop a conceptual framework for analysing different communication networks (e.g. LANs, WANs, wireless networks and Internet). You will also be introduced to and discuss Industry standards as well as management and operational aspect of communications networks.

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe different communication networks and technologies including Industry standards.
2. Analyse and contrast the main features and relationship of different communication networks and quality of service (QoS) related aspects.
3. Discuss the validity of different performance modelling/assessment techniques.
4. Identify different communication network QoS related problems, and the appropriate solution techniques for these problems.
5. Formulate the underlying assumptions of the studied modelling/assessment techniques and critically analyse their impact.
6. Determine the conditions in which a communication system is operating.
7. State and solve communication system and network performance related problems (e.g. optimal routing problem and system utilisation).
8. Derive and evaluate related performance analytical expressions.

Introduction to layered approach to the analysis of communication networks; Study and analysis of different communication networks, its architectures and associated protocols: Local area network (LAN), Metropolitan area network (MAN), Wide area networks (WAN) and Internet; Design of data and packet switched networks, topological issues, routing strategies and congestion control; Flow control and TCP/IP Internet protocols; Optimal routing problem. Network survivability.