Reading and homework

For the next class please read sections 1.3, 1.4 & 1.5. You may also enjoy reading 1.6 & 1.7 but these won't be covered in the subject.

As I mentioned in the classroom, please let me know those topics we want me to elaborate a bit futher in next Friday's lecture, where we will focus on the core network: what's inside the "cloud" of my drawing and how it works.

I failed to mention in the classroom, but I would like you to respond to the following questions in written form. Please hand it over tom me in the next class:

1. What is the difference between a host and an end system? List the types of end systems. Is a Web server an end system?
2. What is a client program? What is a server program? Does a server program request and receive services from a client program?
3. Dial-up modems, HFC, DSL and FTTH are all used for residential access. For each of these access technologies, provide a range of transmission rates and comment on whether the transmission rate is shared or dedicated.

Don't forget to write down your name too. Feel free to use the Internet to answer any of these questions but try to provide your own answer instead of just pasting someone else's. 

Welcome to Computer Networks 101 (2013-14)

One more year I welcome new students (and maybe some not so new ones) to this subject that as you know will be entirely taught in English. Not only the language will be different but so will be the on-line platform, as the only thing you'll find from me in PoliformaT is a link to this blog.

Contrary to PoliformaT, this blog is open, so you can read it even if you are not a student or you are not enrolled in this subject. Not that I think this will bring in many students to the subject but I do not see the point of being closed and I do not particularly enjoy typing my password away, plus my students doing the same everytime they want to access any information about the subject. It makes me think of the many hours of our lives we will be typing passwords.

This is not an easy subject, so at least I will try to keep the access to the subject's information as easy as possible. By the way the blog's name matches the subject code, in case you wondered.

In the first class next Friday 13th I will present the subject and I will give the first lecture about the Internet. If you can read Sections 1.1.1, 1.1.2 and 1.1.3 of the textbook you will have a better understanding of the topics. You can read it from the free sample chapter provided by the publisher or borrowing the book from the library.

Farewell

Final marks have been emailed to each one of you.
In case you find an error, please let me know ASAP

so we can fix it the easy way.

While I guess I will see you around, I wish to say good-bye to all of you and to wish you a joyful summer vacation, but if you have to work during summer maybe you should consider yourself lucky too.

Best wishes for you all and remember that my door is open even if you are no longer one of my students.