Course detail

Modern Communication Techniques

FEKT-MPC-PKTAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course is focused on these topics: Widening of the understanding of well-known network models, TCP/IP in particular. Network and transport layer, address translation. IPv6. Redundancy protocols. Autonomous systems, BGP protocol, peering, multihoming. Introduction the design of communication protocols. 

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

7

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Jan Jeřábek, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Telecommunications (UTKO)

Entry knowledge

Students who are going to attend this course should be able to:
- use several numerical systems and conversions among them,
- explain and use elementary units which are common in the area of information and communication technologies (ICT), e.g. data size, transmission speed,
- use elementary terms from the ICT area, e.g. operating system, memory, process,
- describe the architecture of basic network models, i.e. TCP/IP and ISO/OSI,
- describe the basic application protocols for user data transfer from the TCP/IP suite,
- list routing protocols used on local-area level.
Work in the laboratory is conditional on a valid qualification of a student according to the Decree No. 50/1978 Coll. (Czech rule), which students must obtain before starting the course. Information on this qualification is given in the Dean's Directive on familiarisation of students with safety regulations.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Up to 30 points are awarded for work in laboratories (points are obtained for individual tasks, tests and individual project). The condition for credit is fulfilled attendance, defending the project and obtaining at least 15 points.
Up to 70 points are awarded for the written examination. In order to pass the course, it is necessary to obtain a total of at least 50 points (the sum of points from the labs and the exam).
Attendance at laboratories is compulsory, properly justified absence can be made up after prior arrangement with the instructor.

Aims

The goal of the course is to provide students with comprehensive orientation in the field of advanced communication techniques, especially on the network layer and application layer and also with specific issues such as design and specification of communication protocols.

Students who have completed this course are able to:
- demonstrate the differences between ISO/OSI and TCP/IP network models, explain the essence of these models,
- analyze the task of network layer with IP protocol,
- identify and interpret several levels of address translation used in IP networks,
- explain the principle of protocols used for redundancy of access to default gateway,
- explain the essence of multicast data transfer,
- explain every aspect of IPv6 protocol and related issues,
- assess the suitability of transport layer protocols for particular applications,
- explain issues of autonomous systems existence,
- apply multi-level routing with BGP protocol,
- design and analyze own communication protocol. 

Study aids

Study materials are available in the course e-learning. 

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Jeřábek, J., Pokročilé komunikační techniky (MPC-PKT). Skripta VUT v Brně,s. 1-172, aktualizace 2023. (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MPC-AUD Master's

    specialization AUDM-TECH , 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme MPC-IBE Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
  • Programme MPC-TIT Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jan Jeřábek, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to the course, selected topics from computer networking based on TCP/IP.
2. Widening the knowledge of TCP/IP networking model. Network and transport layer with protocols TCP, UDP, SCTP and QUIC.
3. Task of network layer with IP protocol.
4. Address Translation in IP networks (ARP, DHCP).
5. Address Translation in IP networks (NAT, DNS, DNSSEC, DoH, mDNS, LLMNR).
6. Protocols for redundant access to default gateway.
7. Multicast data transfer.
8. IPv6 protocol suite (features, deployment, datagram, addresses).
9. IPv6 protocol suite (ICMPv6 responsibilities, DHCPv6, mobility).
10. IPv6 protocol suite (multicast, routing, examples).
11. Autonomous systems, BGP protocol, multihoming, peering.
12. Introduction into the design of communication protocols.
13. Revision of the content of the course, binding of individual topics.

Laboratory exercise

39 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jan Jeřábek, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Introduction into laboratory, Wireshark: ICMP protocol and other basic tools
2. Wireshark: DNS protocol
3. Wireshark: DNSsec protocol
4. Wireshark: HTTP and QUIC
5. Introduction into NS3, Eclipse, Simulation of point-to-point and bus topology in NS3
6. Comparison of fragmentation in IPv4 and IPv6 protocols in NS3
7. ICMPv6 protocol in NS3
8. Comparison of unicast and multicast traffic in NS33
9. BGP protocol in NS3
10. Test, introduction of individual assignment
11. Work on individual assignment
12. Finalization of individual assignment
13. Defence of individual assignment