After successful completion of the course, students are able to identify, analyze, assess and simulate various network architectures, network protocols and network data with emphasis on IP-based realtime multimedia communications. Knowledge of students will include a broad range that spans from theory on standardization organization, versioning and numbering of standards in the area of data communications, over modern transport-layer (SCTP, DCCP, MPTCP, QUIC) and application-layer protocols (DNS, HTTP, FTP, SMTP, POP3, SIP, RTP, RTCP, WebRTC, etc.) to advanced architectures like the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and theoretical and practical basics on modeling and simulation. Central aspects that are common to all architectures and protocols are their inherent security threats and corresponding countermeasures. On successfully passing the CN2 lab part, students can record and filter network data, analyze the data and have first experience in simulating simple communication networks and the challenges of building appropriate (good) simulation models.

Higher layer communication protocols (above and including transport layer), protocols for multimedia communication, additional transport protocols, network simulation, practical exercises on communication protocols and network analysis.

Theory part: Lecture involving students in the discussion on various topics (e.g., comparing benefits and drawbacks of two protocol standards fulfilling similar tasks). Written examination

Lab part: Solving of assignments in the CN2 lab with automatic verification of result correctness. Writing of scientifically sound reports, oral examination of lab part (focus: knowledge and comprehension).

First class: Tue, 3.3.2020 at 9:00 a.m. (sharp)

Laboratory: starts at the beginning of May til end of semester, all Tuesdays, 9:00-12:00 (exception: lab scheduled for Whitsunday Tuesday (vacation) is shifted to the following Wednesday, 9:00-12:00).

Contact address for questions concerning CN2 content or administration:  cn2-vu@tuwien.ac.at

Starting with SS 2016 the following rules apply to CN2 lecture content, lab assignments and examination method:

• The Lecture part is read between beginning of March and end of April. The lecture closes with a written examination (end of April or beginning of May, registration via TISS starting mid of April). A questionnaire will be provided mid of April to support preparation for the written lecture examination.

• A positive grade on the lecture part (at least 50% of score) is prerequisite for attending the lab part of the VU. Not passing the lecture part results in a negative grade for the VU CN2 for this semester.

• The laboratory part is done in groups of 2 students and includes three to four assignments that must be solved and submitted together with a report that must comply to formal requirements. Registration for the lab groups and grading uses TUWEL and will start after the lecture exam has been graded. The score of the lab part is composed of the score on the reports and the score of the final oral examination.

• Lecture and lab score contribute equally to the final grade. Positive score on each, lecture and lab part, is a condition for passing the CN2 VU.

Summary: Written lecture examination, practical laboratory, submission and reports, final oral examination.

Detailed discussion during first CN2 lecture.

Registration required for administrative purposes, max. 42. participants (soft limit for lecture part, hard limit for lab part because of available laboratory seats). In the case of excess registrations, criteria for admission are (decreasing priority):

• Admission lab: results Communication Networks 2 lecture part examination
• Admission lecture: successfully passed lecture Communication Networks 1
• Completed Bachelor studies, Master student
• CN2 compulsory lecture in selected master study
• Time of registration.

Laboratory group registration is mandatory and handled separately (by TUWEL) few days after passing the lecture examination.

Theoretical knowledge of Communication Networks 1 lecture content required, in particular Internet basics, protocols (IP, UDP, TCP) and network architectures. Basic programming knowledge required (C++ for NS3 simulation), practical experience with Linux and Wireshark is helpful for the laboratory part.