Learning objectives
Provide a knowledge of the basic mechanisms that govern some of the most known and used protocols in the Internet, and of common use applications in everyday life.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of telecommunication networks, their architectures and protocols.
Course unit content
General communications principles in computer networks.
International legislation and documentation.
Main application protocols leading the Internet, with particular reference to the Web.
Full programme
- Overview of reference layers models OSI, ISDN, and Internet.
- Connection and connection-less oriented communication protocols.
- Transport protocols and client/server schema in TCP/IP environments.
- International OSI and ITU standard, Internet documentation: RFCs.
- The Domain Name System (DNS): concepts, Resource Record, protocols.
- Known application protocols: TELNET, SMTP, and use of a TELNET client as a diagnostic tool.
- Use of network services for DNS query. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).
- Email and POP3/IMAP protocols. Email Formatting: RFC2821, MIME extension, internationalisation.
- The World Wide Web (WWW) and its standards. Addressing: URI and URL.
- The HTTP protocol: versions, connection management, methods, authentication, security.
- Intermediate systems: proxy, gateway, tunnel.
- Client tracking and management of HTTP sessions using cookies.
- Secure Web transactions using the TLS protocol and related issues.
- Recent developments: the HTTP / 2 protocol.
- Web robots: purposes and related problems.
- Advanced network applications.
- Certified email ("Posta Elettronica Certificata", PEC).
- Public Digital Identity System ("Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale", SPID).
Bibliography
D. Gourley, B. Totty, M. Sayer, A. Aggarwal, S. Reddy, "HTTP: The Definitive Guide", O'Reilly Media, Inc., ISBN 9781565925090
W. Stevens, "TCP/IP Illustrated, Vol. 3", Addison-Wesley Professional, ISBN 9780201634952
S. Ludin, J. Garza, "Learning HTTP/2: A Practical Guide for Beginners", O'Reilly Media, Inc., ISBN 9781491962442
Teaching methods
Lectures, practical activities in lab/with PC.
Assessment methods and criteria
(i) Written test on the entire program of the study course, or midterm written evaluations (during the semester, at the discretion of the teacher), and (ii) final project (to be developed individually or in small groups, max 2/3 people). Eventual final oral test, at the discretion of the teacher.
Other information
