Computer Network Experiment Tutorial

Author: JEANNAMatthews Li Yichao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The best way to learn network protocols is to put them into practice, but this doesn't necessarily mean you need a laboratory equipped with a full set of experimental devices. This book creatively uses the open-source network protocol analyzer software Ethereal to help readers experience network protocols firsthand by analyzing packet traces of real network activities. All you need is a PC—no routers, switches, hubs, or actual networks required. The download resources for this book provide Ethereal and packet traces of real network activities. Readers can open these trace files with Ethereal and follow the book's explanations to complete experiments, gaining a thorough understanding of the textbook content through hands-on practice.
Key Features:
- Practicality: Readers can learn network protocols through hands-on practice without needing a real network environment. Instructors can make their courses more engaging without expending effort to collect teaching materials.
- Flexibility: This method has been successfully applied in graduate and undergraduate teaching at multiple U.S. universities, including Cornell University. Whether instructors use a top-down or bottom-up approach, this book is suitable for both.
- Completeness: The experiments in this book present exciting content, covering everything from the basics of observing light/heavy traffic networks to important topics in the application layer, transport layer, network layer, data link layer, and network security. The authors take a unique approach to teaching network experiments using software, leveraging Ethereal—a network protocol analyzer—to help students fully understand the execution process of network protocols. Topics include the basics of observing light/heavy traffic networks, as well as key themes in the application layer, transport layer, network layer, data link layer, and network security. The methods used in this book have been successfully applied in undergraduate and graduate computer network courses at multiple U.S. universities (including Cornell University, Clarkson University, etc.). This book is ideal as a supplementary experimental textbook for undergraduate and graduate students in computer science, communication, electronics, and related fields.