Computer Network Engineering Lab (CNE Lab)

Computer Network Engineering Lab (CNE Lab)

IDA

Inside the CNE Lab

As the Internet’s explosive growth makes its infrastructure more vital than ever, the demand for skilled engineers capable of maintaining and innovating these systems has reached a critical peak. Our lab addresses this need by providing a deep, practical understanding of the core protocols and algorithms that power the global network ranging from addressing and routing to error control, flow management, and congestion handling.Located in Room 1103 on the 11th floor, the Ethernet Lab serves as a bridge between theoretical concepts and real-world application. Moving beyond the lectures of Communication Networks, students engage directly with industrial-grade hardware. By observing real-time network traffic and building custom network configurations, students gain an extensive, intuitive understanding of how the Internet functions. This curriculum is also comprehensively documented in book form for academic rigor.

CNE Lab modules

  1. Internet Lab Foundations
  •     Navigating the lab environment and hardware systems.
  •     Mastering the Linux command line for network administration.
  •     Capturing and analyzing network traffic using Wireshark and tcpdump.

2.   Single Segment IP Networks

  •     Interface Configuration: Setting up network interfaces for IP-based communication.
  •     Address Resolution: Mastering the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) for local translation.
  •     Network Security: Analyzing vulnerabilities within common Internet applications and protocols.

3.   Static Routing & Network Forwarding

  •     IP Forwarding: Implementing data transfer and routing mechanisms between disparate networks.
  •     Hardware Integration: Configuring Linux PCs and Cisco routers to function as active IP gateways.
  •     Routing Table Management: Manual configuration and expert interpretation of IP routing tables.
  •     Path Analysis: Identifying and mitigating routing loops.

4.   Dynamic Routing Protocols

  •     RIP & OSPF: Practical deployment and comparison of distance-vector (RIP) and link-state (OSPF) protocols.
  •     Network Convergence: Evaluating the dynamics and stabilization speed of routing protocols.
  •     Distance-Vector Limitations: Troubleshooting the "Count-to-Infinity" problem in RIP.
  •     Scalable Architectures: Implementing hierarchical routing structures within OSPF areas.

5.   Transport Layer Protocols (TCP & UDP)

  •     End-to-End Transmission: Orchestrating data exchange using Connectionless (UDP) and Connection-Oriented (TCP) methods.
  •     Performance Benchmarking: Quantitative evaluation of throughput and reliability across transport protocols.
  •     Advanced TCP Management:  Stateful connection establishment and termination,mechanisms for flow control,congestion avoidance and implementation of advanced retransmission algorithms for data integrity.

Network Infrastructure and Hardware Components

  • Computing Stations:

    • Workstations: Four dedicated PCs powered by Intel Core 2 Duo processors.

    • Operating Systems: Dual-environment setup featuring Windows OS and Fedora Linux running via VMware.

    • Peripherals: Individual displays, keyboards, and mice, managed through a KVM switch for efficient station control.

  • Routing and Switching:

    • Cisco Routers: Four Cisco routers running IOS Release 12.

    • Connectivity Interfaces: High-speed networking via Fast Ethernet and Synchronous serial interfaces.

    • Layer 2 Equipment: Industrial Fast Ethernet hubs and switches.

  • Physical Layer:

    • Cabling: Standardized twisted-pair (Ethernet) cables for all network interconnections.

Learning Outcomes of the CNE Lab

  • Infrastructure Mastery: The ability to build, configure, and manage complex networks using Cisco routers and Linux-based systems.

  • Protocol Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of core Internet protocols, including ARP, IP, UDP, and TCP, alongside advanced routing protocols like RIP and OSPF.

  • Analytical Troubleshooting: Advanced skills in network debugging and performance evaluation through the use of professional diagnostic tools like Wireshark and tcpdump.

  • Architectural Insight: A comprehensive grasp of network dynamics, including flow and congestion control, addressing, and the resolution of common routing issues like count-to-infinity and routing loops.

About the CNE book

This book, titled "Mastering Networks: An Internet Lab Manual", is a well-regarded academic resource co-authored by Jörg Liebeherr and Magda El Zarki. It is designed specifically to guide students through the practical aspects of networking that you are studying in the lab.

Liebeherr, Jorg, and Magda El Zarki. Mastering Networks: An Internet Lab Manual. Addison-Wesley Longman Publishing Co., Inc., 2003.

You can also find it by searching for the ISBN:  ISBN-100201781344  / ISBN-13978-0201781342

 

TUBS

Contents of CNE Lab:

Please refer to the links listed under the Teaching menu:

Lab Communication Networks and Systems / Communication Networks for Engineers

Computer Network Engineering Lab - CNE Lab

 

For any questions send an email to zied.ennaceur(at)tu-bs.de