DATA & INTERNET NETWORKING - 2025/6

Module Overview

Expected prior learning: Module EEE2040 – Communications Networks or equivalent learning.

Module purpose: The Internet is an important worldwide communications system; the module provides an in-depth treatment of current and evolving Internet protocols and standards, and the algorithms that underlie them. The module also permits further study on networking in modules such as EEEM018 Advanced Mobile Communication Systems, EEEM023 Network Service management and Control, EEEM032 Advanced Satellite Communication Techniques

Module provider

Computer Science and Electronic Eng

Module Leader

CRUICKSHANK Haitham (CS & EE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes the following:

Introduction and Background to Data Communications 
Introduction & background.

Local Area Networks 
Local Area Networks. Introduction, IEEE 802 standard LANs: Ethernet (802.3), and Wireless LAN (802.11). Also overview of  repeaters, bridges - transparent and source routing, interconnecting different LAN types.

Internetworking and Routing 
Internetworking. Introduction, routers / gateways, The Internet Protocol (IP), IP addressing, Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP).

Routing. Fundamentals. Distance vector (Bellman-Ford, RIP) and link state (Dijkstra, OSPF) routing algorithms and protocols.


Upper Layers and Applications 
Transport Layer. Issues and services, Internet protocols: TCP, UDP, RTP, OSI transport protocols.

Application Layer Protocols. Non-real-time and real-time Internet applications: DNS, SMTP, VoIP, SIP, HTTP.

IP Quality of Service
Integrated and Differentiated Services. Internet traffic requirements, per-hop packet processing, Integrated Services architecture and RSVP, Differentiated Services architecture.

A Brief Introduction to AI/ML in the Context of the Internet Protocols 
Supervised vs. Unsupervised, Classification vs. Regression, Performance Metrics, Automated Assessment of Quality of Experience with IP/TCP/HTTP Protocol Indicators
 

ATM and MPLS, ATM service categories, IP over ATM, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS).

Network security 
Network Security - general.  Authentication and encryption, Secret and public key systems (DES, RSA, MD5), Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol and ATM, satellite and mobile network security.

IPsec, TLS and PGP.  Detailed view of the Internet security (IPsec), Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Good Privacy (PGP) system, Cookies in IPSec and HTTP. 

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the learning outcomes.  The exam and coursework will assess students’ knowledge and assimilation of the terminology, concepts and details of the data and internet networking algorithms and protocols along with some preliminary AI/ML techniques in this context covered in the module.

 

Thus the summative assessment for this module consists of the following:

• Coursework on AI/ML for internet protocols 


• Invigilated examination 

Formative assessment and feedback

Students will receive formative assessment / feedback in the following ways:

·        During lectures, by informal question and answer sessions

·        By means of unassessed tutorial problem sheets (these will be discussed in the lectures, and answers/model solutions will be made available)

·        By means of informative test with written feedback, the test being conducted by students in their self- study time.  

 

Module aims

• Explain in some depth the principles underlying the design of the Internet;
• Apply the algorithms, protocols, services and standards that support Internet-based networked communications.
• The module also aims to provide opportunities for students to learn about the Surrey Pillars listed below.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to provide students with the knowledge and understanding defined in the module learning outcomes. Students will develop their cognitive skills by developing a clear understanding of the algorithmic approach to the course material, through demonstration of the algorithms in lectures and by self-practice of the algorithms.

Learning and teaching methods include the following:

• Lectures and tutorials


• Wireshark Exercises


• Discussion of tutorial problem sheets by students and informative test feedback

 

 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: EEE3007

Other information

The module contributes to the Surrey Pillars as follows: 

• Sustainability: EEE3007 enables the deep understanding of the Internet communication and networking protocols that play an important role for the graduates to live and work well, while respecting the Earth’s ecological limits, from the prospective of communication systems.
• Global and cultural intelligence: The Internet is a global system and EEE3007 helps to understand its details.  Thus this module promotes the critical thinking (with respect to the working of the Internet) of our graduates as global citizens who can engage effectively and ethically with people from different backgrounds because the Internet is the engineering common language of the world.
• Digital capabilities: The skills that EEE3007 provides, will enable graduates and their organisations to be able to participate actively in society and professional life, within a digital and the connected Internet world. 
• Employability: The importance of the understanding Internet and the related engineering skills cannot be underestimated.  As such, EEE3007 provide professionally focused learning (e.g. learning practical networking skills using Wireshark) that nurtures career ready graduates.
• Resourcefulness and resilience: EEE3007 with the gained generic networking skills helps to produce resourceful and resilient student is able to respond positively and effectively to opportunities, challenges, difficulties and setbacks.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.