Course detail

Computer and Communication Networks

FEKT-MPA-PKSAcad. year: 2025/2026

Students become familiar with structure and architecture or networks; theory of packet-switching networks; reference models; applications (HTTP, FTP, SMTP, DNS); the TCP/IP protocol suite (TCP, UDP, IP, routing, flow control, IP addressing); transmission media; local computer networks, media-access methods; Ethernet (principle, variants, switches, VLAN, PoE), wireless network 802.11; broadband WAN technologies; multimedia applications (RTP, SIP, VoIP services, QoS); network security (basics of cryptography, authentication, integrity, certificates, SSL); management and programming.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Dr. Ing. Zdeněk Kolka

Department

Department of Radio Electronics (UREL)

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Entry knowledge

Basic knowledge of mathematics (probability theory) and information theory (Shannon theorem, errors in the transmission, coding) is requested.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Computer exercises (22 points), laboratory exercises (18 points), final exam (60 points).
Evaluation of activities is specified by a regulation, which is issued by the lecturer responsible for the course annually.

Aims

Lectures are focused on presenting structure, architecture, and operational principles of computer and communication networks to students, and on training practical approaches to their design and configuration.
The graduate is able to: (a) understand basic theoretical principles of computer networks; (b) describe functions of individual components and protocols; (c) utilize network communication in designed instruments; (d) design and configure local networks.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

KUROSE, J. F., ROSS, K.W.,Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th Edition). USA:Pearson, 2016. ISBN: 978-0133594140 (EN)
TANENBAUM, A.S., WETHERALL, D.J. Computer Networks. USA: Prentice Hall, 2010. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MPAD-CAN Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme MPAD-CAN Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Dr. Ing. Zdeněk Kolka

Syllabus

1. Basic concepts, categorization, structure, network models (RM OSI, TCP/IP), theory of packet-switching networks.
2. Basic application-layer services: HTTP, FTP, SMTP, DNS.
3. Transport layer: communication protocols, implementation of UDP and TCP.
4. Network layer: mathematical theory of routing, IP protocol.
5. Link and physical layers: basic principles of data transmission, coding, and protocols.
6. Transmission media, comparison, basic parameters.
7. Local networks I. Topology, theory shared-medium access.
8. Local networks II. Ethernet as dominating technology (100Mbs - 100Gbs). Hubs, switches, VLAN, flow control, QoS in LAN, STP.
9. Wireless networks 802.11.
10. Broadband technologies, photonic networks.
11. Multimedia services: RTP, VoIP, methods for QoS provisioning in IP networks.
12. Security: ciphers, data integrity, certificates, SSL.
13. Network management, SNMP.

Exercise in computer lab

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Dr. Ing. Zdeněk Kolka

Syllabus

1. Communication using UDP, traffic analysis.

2. Communication using TCP.

3. Routing and addressing in IP networks - I.

4. Routing and addressing in IP networks - II.

5. DHCP and DNS.

6. Firewall, NAT.

 

Laboratory exercise

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Dr. Ing. Zdeněk Kolka

Syllabus

1. Structured cabling, physical layer.

2. Properties of hubs and switches, priority mechanisms.

3. Configuration of VLAN, security on link layer.

4. Access point 802.11, configuration, security.

5. VoIP, configuration of phone and PBX, subjective tests.

6. TCP/IP, macroscopic behavior (reaction on packet loss and delay).