A comprehensive academic archive for Computer Networks (ELEC 8560), documenting technical proficiency in network architectures, protocol analysis using Wireshark, IP subnetting, and core transport layer mechanisms within the Master of Engineering program.
Overview · Contents · Reference Books · Personal Preparation · Supplemental · Laboratory · Lecture Notes · Syllabus · Usage Guidelines · License · About · Acknowledgments
Computer Networks (ELEC 8560) is a core graduate course in the Master of Engineering (MEng) program at the University of Windsor. This course provides a deep dive into the fundamental principles of data communication, network layering, and the suite of protocols that power the modern internet, with a strong emphasis on practical analysis and implementation.
The curriculum encompasses several key networking domains:
- Network Layering: Mastering matrix operations, numeric arrays, and function development for complex engineering tasks.
- Protocol Analysis: Utilizing Wireshark to dissect and analyze real-world network traffic across various protocols (HTTP, TCP, UDP, IP, Ethernet).
- Addressing & Subnetting: Mastering IPv4/IPv6 addressing schemes and the mathematical foundations of VLSM and CIDR.
- Transport Mechanisms: Analyzing the reliability, congestion control, and flow control mechanisms of TCP and UDP.
- Network Infrastructure: Exploring the design and operation of LANs, WANs, and wireless networking standards (Wi-Fi).
This repository represents a curated collection of study materials, reference books, supplemental resources, and computer network laboratory reports. The primary motivation for creating and maintaining this archive is simple yet profound: to preserve knowledge for continuous learning and future reference.
As networking technologies evolve, the fundamental principles remain the bedrock of communications engineering. This repository serves as my intellectual reference point: a resource I can return to for reviewing methodologies, refreshing theoretical concepts, and strengthening technical understanding.
Why this repository exists:
- Knowledge Preservation: To maintain organized access to comprehensive study materials beyond the classroom.
- Continuous Learning: To support lifelong learning by enabling easy revisitation of fundamental networking principles.
- Academic Documentation: To authentically document my learning journey through Computer Networks.
- Community Contribution: To share these resources with students and learners who may benefit from them.
Note
All materials were created, compiled, and organized by me during the Fall 2023 semester as part of my MEng degree requirements.
This collection includes comprehensive reference materials covering all major topics:
| # | Resource | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Data Communications and Networking - B. A. Forouzan | Core textbook for layered internet protocol stack and network security. |
| 2 | Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach - Kurose & Ross | Recommended guide for application-to-physical layer protocol analysis. |
| 3 | Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) RFCs | Official technical specifications for internet standards and protocols. |
Academic roadmap and administrative records for the Fall 2023 session:
| # | Resource | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course Syllabus | Official course outcomes and assessment specifications |
| 2 | MEng Class Schedule | Enrollment record and pedagogical timeline |
Additional resources focusing on the mathematical and practical aspects of IP subnetting and numbering systems.
| # | Resource | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IP and Subnet Practice Problems | A collection of problems for mastering IP addressing. |
| 2 | IP Subnet Solutions (MD) | Detailed Markdown solutions for practicing IP subnetting. |
| 3 | IP Subnet Solutions (TXT) | Plain text version of the subnet solutions. |
| 4 | Positional Numbering System | Reference guide for binary, decimal, and hexadecimal conversions. |
A granular record of 10 laboratory reports documenting protocol analysis and network configuration using Wireshark and other simulation tools.
Note
Academic Structure: The laboratory reports compiled in this section serve as the primary assignments for the Computer Networks course. Each report represents a synthetic integration of theoretical principles and practical observation, documenting the analytical journey through the networking stack.
Tip
Technical Analysis: For a detailed scholarly dissection of each protocol, expand the Program Details dropdowns below. These sections contain links to the source code simulators, technical specifications, manuals, and downloadable Word documents for each laboratory session.
| Lab | Topic | Date | Report | Word Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Wireshark | September 19, 2023 | View | Download |
| 2 | Ethernet and Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) | October 06, 2023 | View | Download |
| 3 | Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) | October 20, 2023 | View | Download |
| 4 | Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) | November 01, 2023 | View | Download |
| 5 | Network Address Translation (NAT) | November 01, 2023 | View | Download |
| 6 | Internet Protocol (IP) | November 07, 2023 | View | Download |
| 7 | Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) | November 10, 2023 | View | Download |
| 8 | User Datagram Protocol (UDP) | November 14, 2023 | View | Download |
| 9 | Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) | November 21, 2023 | View | Download |
| 10 | Domain Name System (DNS) | November 30, 2023 | View | — |
Lab 01: Introduction to Wireshark (2 Programs)
| Program | Category | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP_Connectivity_Analyzer.py | Protocol Analysis | HTTP GET request simulation and header analysis | View |
| TECHNICAL_ANALYSIS.txt | Scholarly Documentation | Technical Q&A and header field dissection | View |
Resources: Lab Manual · Word Document
Lab 02: Ethernet and ARP (2 Programs)
| Program | Category | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethernet_ARP_Analyzer.py | Network Layer | Ethernet frame structure and ARP mapping simulation | View |
| TECHNICAL_ANALYSIS.txt | Scholarly Documentation | MAC addressing and ARP resolution analysis | View |
Resources: Lab Manual · Word Document
Lab 03: Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (2 Programs)
| Program | Category | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi_Protocol_Analyzer.py | Wireless Networking | IEEE 802.11 frame and beaconing analysis | View |
| TECHNICAL_ANALYSIS.txt | Scholarly Documentation | SSIDs, BSSIDs, and wireless transport mechanics | View |
Resources: Lab Manual · Word Document
Lab 04: DHCP Protocol Analysis (2 Programs)
| Program | Category | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHCP_Protocol_Analyzer.py | App/Transport Layer | DHCP DORA process and lease management simulation | View |
| TECHNICAL_ANALYSIS.txt | Scholarly Documentation | Analysis of DHCP discovery and IP allocation | View |
Resources: Lab Manual · Word Document
Lab 05: Network Address Translation (2 Programs)
| Program | Category | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAT_Flow_Analyzer.py | Network Layer | Translation of IP datagrams and port mapping | View |
| TECHNICAL_ANALYSIS.txt | Scholarly Documentation | NAT gateway operations and checksum recalculation | View |
Resources: Lab Manual · Word Document
Lab 06: Internet Protocol (IP) (2 Programs)
| Program | Category | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP_Protocol_Analyzer.py | Network Layer | IPv4 fragmentation and TTL lifecycle simulation | View |
| TECHNICAL_ANALYSIS.txt | Scholarly Documentation | Fragmentation offsets and MTU constraint analysis | View |
Resources: Lab Manual · Word Document
Lab 07: Internet Control Message Protocol (2 Programs)
| Program | Category | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICMP_Protocol_Analyzer.py | Network Diagnostics | Ping (Echo) and Traceroute (TTL Exceeded) simulation | View |
| TECHNICAL_ANALYSIS.txt | Scholarly Documentation | Diagnostic feedback and error reporting analysis | View |
Resources: Lab Manual · Word Document
Lab 08: User Datagram Protocol (2 Programs)
| Program | Category | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| UDP_Protocol_Analyzer.py | Transport Layer | Connectionless datagram flow and header analysis | View |
| TECHNICAL_ANALYSIS.txt | Scholarly Documentation | Port symmetry and payload length evaluation | View |
Resources: Word Document
Lab 09: Transmission Control Protocol (2 Programs)
| Program | Category | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCP_Protocol_Analyzer.py | Transport Layer | Three-way handshake and congestion control simulation | View |
| TECHNICAL_ANALYSIS.txt | Scholarly Documentation | Reliability, ACK mechanics, and flow control analysis | View |
Resources: Word Document
Lab 10: Domain Name System (2 Programs)
| Program | Category | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNS_Protocol_Analyzer.py | App/Transport Layer | nslookup simulation and hierarchical resolution | View |
| TECHNICAL_ANALYSIS.txt | Scholarly Documentation | Resolver hierarchy and DNS transport mechanics | View |
Resources: Lab Manual
A comprehensive archival log documenting pedagogical discourse across nine modules, including weekly slides and technical archives for the Fall 2023 session.
Tip
Computer networking is not merely the connection of devices; it is the bridge between theoretical models and functional architectures. Every module below focuses on the critical translation from Network Protocols to Scalable Infrastructures, enabling the design and verification of complex communication systems.
| # | Week | Date | Module | Topic | Lecture Slides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Week 01 | September 11 & 13, 2023 | Module 01 | Introduction to Computer Networking | View |
| 2 | Week 02 | September 18 & 20, 2023 | Module 02 | Physical Layer | View |
| 3 | Week 03 | September 25 & 27, 2023 | Module 03 | Data Link Layer | View |
| 4 | Week 04 | October 02 & 04, 2023 | Module 04 | Local Area Networks | View |
| 5 | Week 05 | October 07 — October 15, 2023 | Break | Reading Week (Autumn Break - No Lectures) | — |
| 6 | Week 06 | October 16 & 18, 2023 | Module 05 | Wide Area Networks | View |
| 7 | Week 07 | October 23 & 25, 2023 | Module 06 | Network Interconnection and Devices | View |
| 8 | Week 08 | October 30 & November 01, 2023 | Module 07 | The Network Layer: Data Plane | View |
| 9 | Week 09 | November 06 & 08, 2023 | Module 08 | The Network Layer: Control Plane | View |
| 10 | Week 10 | November 13 & 15, 2023 | Module 09 | The Transport Layer | View |
Official ELEC 8560 Syllabus
Complete graduate-level syllabus document for the Fall 2023 session, including detailed course outcomes, assessment criteria, and module specifications for Computer Networks.
Important
Always verify the latest syllabus details with the official University of Windsor academic portal, as curriculum specifications for networking may undergo instructor-led adaptations across different sessions.
This repository is openly shared to support learning and knowledge exchange across the academic community.
For Students
Use these resources as templates for protocol analysis, reference materials for network theory, and examples of scholarly documentation. All content is organized for self-paced learning.
For Educators
These materials may serve as curriculum references, sample lab benchmarks, or supplementary instructional content in networking. Attribution is appreciated when utilizing content.
For Researchers
The protocol analyzes and architectural documentation may provide insights into scholarly networking patterns and professional engineering documentation structuring.
This repository and all linked academic content are made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). See the LICENSE file for complete terms.
Note
Summary: You are free to share and adapt this content for any purpose, even commercially, as long as you provide appropriate attribution to the original author.
Created & Maintained by: Amey Thakur
Academic Journey: Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering (2023-2024)
Institution: University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering
This repository represents a comprehensive collection of study materials, reference books, supplemental resources, weekly lecture archives, and laboratory reports curated during my academic journey. All content has been carefully organized and documented to serve as a valuable resource for students pursuing Computer Networks.
Connect: GitHub · LinkedIn · ORCID
Grateful acknowledgment to Dr. Ahmed Hamdi Sakr for his exceptional instruction in Computer Networks, which played an important role in shaping my understanding of the subject. His clear and disciplined approach, along with his thorough explanation of network architectures and protocol analysis, made the subject both accessible and engaging. His distinguished expertise and commitment to academic excellence in Computer Networks are sincerely appreciated.
Special thanks to the mentors and peers whose encouragement, discussions, and support contributed meaningfully to this learning experience.
Overview · Contents · Reference Books · Personal Preparation · Supplemental · Laboratory · Lecture Notes · Syllabus · Usage Guidelines · License · About · Acknowledgments
Computer Engineering (M.Eng.) - University of Windsor
Semester-wise curriculum, laboratories, projects, and academic notes.