Overview

This short course/CPD module introduces you to internet protocol (IP) networks and data networks in general.

It follows a bottom up approach, starting in layer 2 with coverage of ethernet and IEEE 802.11.

You'll then look at:

• the essentials of IP protocols (IPv4 and IPv6) with a large emphasis on network routing, both intra and inter domain
• congestion and flow control, detailing the TCP protocol and a smaller emphasis on UDP and newer congestion control protocols like RTCP and DCCP
• quality-of-service, examining the fundamentals of queuing theory and the integrated and differentiated services architecture
• analysis of upper layer functionality, namely session and application layer protocols and security

The course contains a lab session where the theoretical concepts are illustrated with small exercises.

Who this course is for

The department's courses/CPD modules are aimed at those working in the telecommunications industry such as researchers, engineers, IT professionals and managers. 

They're particularly suited to graduates in electronic and electrical engineering, physics, communications engineering and computer science who want to further their knowledge on a particular topic, or work towards a Master's degree. 

You don't need to have any pre-requisite qualifications to take this course.

Course content

You'll cover the following areas during the course:

Introduction

• Introduction and historical background
• Ethernet and and Local Area Network
• Wireless Network and IEEE 802.11

IP and routing

• Introduction to the IP protocol (IPv4 and IPv6)
• Intra-domain routing
• Inter-domain routing

Congestion control and quality of service

• The TCP protocol
• The UDP protocol
• Introduction to quality of service
• Integrated services architecture
• Differentiated services architecture

The upper layers

• Session protocols
• Application layer protocols
• The domain name service (DNS)
• Security

Lab

You'll finish with a lab session where commands like ping and traceroute illustrate the concepts discussed during the lecture.

Teaching, assessment and certificates

Classes will be held from 2pm to 5pm on Wednesdays, over 8 weeks.

Teaching will take place in person with some materials available online.

The course is assessed by exam.

If you complete the course but not the exam, you'll receive a certificate of attendance.

If you take and pass the exam you'll get a certificate stating this, which includes your pass level. 

Benefits of UCL's Electronics and Electrical Engineering CPD courses

You can take this course as a standalone (one-off) course/module, or accumulate it towards an MSc qualification (up to two standalone modules can be transferred towards the flexible MSc degree).

Benefits to employees
The programme offers the opportunity for professional people working in the telecommunications industry to develop their career, be able to respond to changes in their environment, and learn while they earn. It's also designed to give you the opportunity of working towards an MSc qualification from an academic institution whose quality is recognised world-wide.

Benefits to employers
Our flexible CPD courses enhance staff motivation and assists in the recruitment and retention of high-quality staff. It enables your company to keep ahead of the competition by tapping into world-leading research, and to profit from UCL's world class Telecommunications and Business expertise.

View the full range of related courses available. 

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, you should be able to:

• know and understand the principles of MAC layer, namely ethernet and IEE 802.11.
• understand the basis of packet switching and how this is achieved in the IP protocol
• understand the difference between distance vector and link state protocols in the context of intra-domain routing and know the details of how OSPF (open shortest path first) works
• know how inter-domain routing works and the details of the BGP protocol
• know the main business stake-holders in the internet eco-system and the consequences to BGP policy
• know the most important mechanisms to achieve quality of service in the internet
• know how the DNS (domain name system) works and the impact on network performance
• choose the main security mechanisms for a specific threat
• use the main network management UNIX tools

Course team

Professor Miguel Rio

Miguel's areas of interest include internet congestion control, quality of service, routing and QoS routing, multicast, and traffic analysis.

Course information last modified: 22 Sep 2023, 17:21