Introduction to High Speed Networks
525.439

Course Description
This course provides a broad introduction to the basic concepts of high-speed wide area networks, such as frame relay, FDDI and FDDI-II, DQDB, SMDS, ATM, fast Ethernet, and 100VG-AnyLAN. The concepts and architecture of SONET/SDH are also reviewed. The principal parameters, formats, protocol layers, physical layers, and interfaces of these network architectures are discussed. The course begins by reviewing circuit switching, packet switching, and cell switching concepts, as well as ISDN and X.25. Frame relay protocol, traffic rate management, and network congestion management are also covered. High speed MANs, such as FDDI, FDDI-II, and DQDB are introduced and their operations are described. SMDS service is reviewed and compared with frame relay service. Key features of ATM are discussed, such as cell formats, asynchronous multiplexing to mix different traffic types, congestion control, and traffic policing. Finally, the course explores emerging high speed LANs and virtual LANs.

Prerequisites
A basic course in data communications, such as 525.441 Computer and Data Communication Networks I, or an introductory course in local area networks.

Grading
The final grade will be based on two exams and homework problems.
Homework for 20%
Mid-term Exam for 35%
Final Exam for 45%

Instructor
Nasser M. Nasrabadi is a senior research scientist at US Army Research Laboratory (ARL). He is also an adjunct professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo and the Johns Hopkins University. He is actively engaged in research in image compression, packet video and transmission of video over high speed wide area networks. He has published over 150 papers in journals and conference proceedings. He is currently an associate editor for the IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology.

Computer Lab Requirements
No specific computer requirements are necessary for this course.

Textbook
ISDN and Broadband ISDN with Frame Relay and ATM  by William Stallings, Prentice-Hall, Third Edition, 1995, ISBN=0-02-415513-6

Reference Textbooks

1. Local & Metropolitan Area Networks by William Stallings, Prentice-Hall, Fifth Edition, 1997.
2. High-Speed Networking with LAN Switches by Gilbert Held, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997
3. Emerging Communications Technologies by Uyless Black, Prentice-Hall, Second Edition, 1995.
4. ATM: Foundation for Broadband Networks by Uyless Black, Prentice-Hall, 1995.
5. Data and Computer Communications by William Stallings, Prentice-Hall, Fifth Edition, 1997.
6. High Speed Networks: TCP/IP and ATM Design Principles by William Stallings, Prentice-Hall, 1997.
7. An Introduction to Broadband Networks by Anthony S. Acampora, Plenum Press, 1994.
8. Enterprise Networking by Daniel Minoli, Artech House, Inc., 1993.

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updated 06/02/00