Lecture 1: Computer Network Architectures Overview

Administrative Stuff

The lecturer.
Phil Scott. See also, tutor, etc... Office hours, phone, messages, etc. See also, electronic mail
The subject
Why has it got three names? When are the lectures? Can the lecture times be changed? What happens with tutes? What is this thing with public holidays in 1996?
Textbooks and references
In particular, how come there's no text book? What should we do in relation to buying a book? Are there other sources of information for this subject?
Assessment
The Exam
Assignments. In particular, what's this first assignment?

Support Services


The Subject Area

Computer Networks are the biggest Big New Thing for decades. They are now of central importance to all of Information Technology. With the recent explosive growth of the Internet, they are rapidly becoming of crucial importance to all of modern society. It is absolutely certain that you will need to know about networks and network technology to survive in the IT workplace.

This subject aims to give a solid overview of the technologies and philosophies that are needed to understand how computer networks are built, and can be used. It also examines, in part, why some apparently illogical things are the way they are, and how human foibles can affect technology.

One crucial aspect of the subject is that it will not shy away from discussion of the "P" word (politics) where this is necessary to understand the technology.


This lecture is also available in PostScript format. There is no tutorial for this lecture.
Phil Scott