News
Fixed bug in calculated statistics: Now correctly displayedWritten on 11.06.25 by Tobias Fiebig Dear Students, thank you for pointing out a statistics error in the midterm exam statistics; We accidentally had counted all students in the course (including those not qualified or registered, but counting them as having 0 points). The statistics have now been regenerated: Admitted: 205 Dear Students, thank you for pointing out a statistics error in the midterm exam statistics; We accidentally had counted all students in the course (including those not qualified or registered, but counting them as having 0 points). The statistics have now been regenerated: Admitted: 205
With best regards, Tobias |
DN Midterm Results and Exam InspectionWritten on 11.06.25 (last change on 11.06.25) by Tiago Heinrich Dear Students, We finished the correction of the Midterm Exam and published the results. The exam inspection will be on Friday 13.06.2025 directly after the lecture (~15:45 or 15:30) in the Lecture Hall (HS 002 E1.3). Dear Students, We finished the correction of the Midterm Exam and published the results. The exam inspection will be on Friday 13.06.2025 directly after the lecture (~15:45 or 15:30) in the Lecture Hall (HS 002 E1.3). You have to bring your student ID and an official ID document to see your exam. During the Exam inspection you are not allowed to have any electronic devices with you or talk to each other. (e.g., leave your phone and backpack in the front) Best regards,
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Lecture last TuesdayWritten on 06.06.25 by Tobias Fiebig Dear Students, It has been brought to our attention that the initial posted questions before the main part of Tuesday's lecture slides were hurtful to some people. I would like to clarify that the intention was to highlight the important contributions made by women and other minorities in the… Read more Dear Students, It has been brought to our attention that the initial posted questions before the main part of Tuesday's lecture slides were hurtful to some people. I would like to clarify that the intention was to highlight the important contributions made by women and other minorities in the field of computing. Nevertheless, I do hear you, and will strife to introduce the lecture in a less controversial way in the future.
However, as for some of the comments posted by some students in the chat during that session: As already noted during the lecture, those comments were and are absolutely unacceptable. You guys explicitly demonstrated that you lack the self reflection and necessary maturity to become engineers.
With best regards, Tobias |
Midterm InformationWritten on 04.06.25 (last change on 04.06.25) by Tiago Heinrich Dear Students, The midterm for Data Networks will be on Friday 06.06.2025 starting at 14:00 (Setup) and 14:30 (Working time). Below you will find some important details regarding your Data Networks Midterm exam: Midterm Exam Venue: Dear Students, The midterm for Data Networks will be on Friday 06.06.2025 starting at 14:00 (Setup) and 14:30 (Working time). Below you will find some important details regarding your Data Networks Midterm exam: Midterm Exam Venue: * Günter-Hotz Lecture Hall Building (E2.2): Numbers: 2554748 to 7073035 (inclusive) Seat assignments: You will find your assigned seat according to the list posted on the doors of the lecture rooms. On your seat, you will find your personalized assignment. Therefore, do not use any other seat. If you are unsure, please contact a tutor outside the hall before you enter the hall or in the hall afterward. Important before entering the room:
Bring your student ID and an official ID document (ID card, passport, driver license, ...) to the midterm. We will check these documents. Best regards, |
Tutorial InformationWritten on 30.05.25 by Johannes Zirngibl Dear students,
Dear students,
There will be no lecture on the day of the Midterm exam. Otherwise, lectures will be continued normally. |
Midterm ReminderWritten on 28.05.25 by Johannes Zirngibl Dear Students, The midterm for Data Networks will be on Friday 06.06.2025 starting at 14:00 (Setup) and 14:30 (Working time). Dear Students, The midterm for Data Networks will be on Friday 06.06.2025 starting at 14:00 (Setup) and 14:30 (Working time). Note sheet:
Additional Information:
Further information, e.g., room assignments, will be provided before the exam. Best regards, |
Midterm Registration an InformationWritten on 13.05.25 by Johannes Zirngibl Dear Students, The midterm for Data Networks will be on Friday 06.06.2025 starting at 14:00 (Mostly during the lecture slot). The registration is via CMS and already open. Dear Students, The midterm for Data Networks will be on Friday 06.06.2025 starting at 14:00 (Mostly during the lecture slot). The registration is via CMS and already open. Information: Further information will be provided before the exam. Best regards, |
MCQ UpdateWritten on 05.05.25 by Johannes Zirngibl Dear students, we have an update regarding the MCQ test. Responding to some feedback we took the answer option "HTTP is a mostly stateless protocol" from the HTTP question out of the grading options. Then, we re-graded all exams and updated the scores in the CMS. We wish you all the best with… Read more Dear students, we have an update regarding the MCQ test. Responding to some feedback we took the answer option "HTTP is a mostly stateless protocol" from the HTTP question out of the grading options. Then, we re-graded all exams and updated the scores in the CMS. We wish you all the best with your ongoing studies. Best regards The DN Team |
MCQ - Exam InspectionWritten on 29.04.25 by Johannes Zirngibl Dear Students, Dear Students, Best regards, |
MCQ ResultsWritten on 28.04.25 by Johannes Zirngibl Dear Students, Dear Students, P.S.: As a reminder: the use of auxiliary material (e.g., calculators) and electronic devices (e.g., smartwatches) is not allowed during Data Networks exams. We will strictly enforce this for all upcoming tests. |
MCQ - Regulations (Rooms and Updates)Written on 23.04.25 by Johannes Zirngibl Hi all, Hi all,
Seat assignments:
Best regards, |
MCQ - RegulationsWritten on 17.04.25 by Johannes Zirngibl Dear Students,
Dear Students,
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Course and MCQ registrationWritten on 16.04.25 (last change on 16.04.25) by Johannes Zirngibl Dear students, As announced, the multiple choice test is in-person and next week, Friday 25.04.2025 during the lecture slot (14:00 - 16:00).… Read more Dear students, As announced, the multiple choice test is in-person and next week, Friday 25.04.2025 during the lecture slot (14:00 - 16:00). Further information will be made available soon regarding rooms. |
AssignmentsWritten on 15.04.25 by Johannes Zirngibl Hi, Hi, |
Online TutorialsWritten on 15.04.25 by Johannes Zirngibl Hi, Hi, |
Tutorial Assignment ChangesWritten on 14.04.25 (last change on 14.04.25) by Johannes Zirngibl Hi all, Hi all, |
Tutorial AssignementWritten on 14.04.25 (last change on 14.04.25) by Johannes Zirngibl Hi all, Hi all, |
First LectureWritten on 07.04.25 by Johannes Zirngibl Dear students, the next term has started and we are happy to offer the Data Networks lecture. Looking forward to seeing you all there. Dear students, the next term has started and we are happy to offer the Data Networks lecture. Looking forward to seeing you all there. |
Data Networks
In this lecture, we will take a dive into how data networks work, and how they work together to create the network of networks we know as the Internet. After going on this journey from the history of networks and protocols to newest developments, going through every layer of the stack – from the physical wire to the applications – like the Web and Email – everyone knows and uses.
After successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the relevant layers of network communication (Physical, Data, Network, Transport, Application)
- Analyze the description of a protocol to identify the layer it works on, as well as key-characteristics of the protocol (statefullnes, etc.)
- Apply protocols of all layers (esp. Network, Transport, and Application) to a given case, e.g., use a routing protocol to determine how packets would traverse a given network.
- Analyze multiple protocols for a given use-case and evaluate which one is more suited given features of the individual protocols.
- Explain the structures of protocol development/standardization bodes and the Internet governance structure in place for the Internet as a whole.
- Design simple network protocols for small example cases, e.g., a simple application layer text chat protocol, weighting choices for, e.g., the best transport protocol to use with it.
In summary, the course enables you to navigate the protocol landscape of the modern Internet, familiarizing you with services like web (HTTP), mail (SMTP, POP, IMAP), the domain name systems (DNS), but also the lower layers, from IP through routing (BGP), to the transport layer (TCP, UDP). By taking a comprehensive look at the interactions between these protocols, you attain the ability to reason on the principles of computer networks, and apply the fundamentals of the area – including network protocol mechanisms, implementation considerations, network algorithms, advanced network architectures, network simulations, measurements, protocol specifications, and verification techniques – in the context of other specializations in computer science, from databases, to distributed systems, and computer security.
Course Organization
- This course is worth 9 LP/ECTS points.
- We provide recordings similar to the two lectures from previous years and a Q&A session.
- We provide weekly tutorials and optional assignments. Students can get detailed feedback for 3 assignments in total.
- There will be a written Multiple Choice exam early in the semester. A re-exam will only be offered in case off illness (requires documents) at the time the Multiple Choice exam took place. You have to pass the Multiple Choice exam to write the Midterm an thus to write the final exams.
- There will be a written Midterm exam that requires 30% of points to pass. Students who gain at least 70% in the Midterm exam of points receive a 0.33 bonus for a passed Final exam. A Midterm re-exam will only be offered in case off illness (requires documents) at the time the Midterm exam took place. You have to pass the Midterm to write the final exams.
- There will be a written Final exam and a written Final re-exam at the end of the semester.
Examination Dates
- Multiple choice test on 25.04.2025, starting at 14:00 in rooms TBA.
- Midterm exam on 06.06.2025, starting at 14:00 in rooms TBA.
- Final exam on 25.07.2025, starting at 09:00 in rooms TBA.
- Final re-exam on 06.10.2025, starting at 09:00 in rooms TBA.
Timetable
Please find all time-related information in our Timetable.
New events/exam dates might be announced during the lecture. Therefore, check the timetable from time to time.