Pick up the Fundamentals of Network Communication with this Coursera Program

The Fundamentals of Network Communications is a course offered by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on Coursera. It provides an introduction to the fundamentals of network communications, focusing on the underlying principles that govern the design and operation of computer networks and will help you to boost your career as a networking expert.

Xiaobo Zhou, the course instructor, is a Professor of Computer Science and serves as the Interim Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. He served as the Chair of the Department of Computer Science from 2011 to 2016. He directs the Distributed Sustainable and Cloud Computing Systems (DISCO) Lab.

His research is in the field of computer network systems, more specifically, data center cloud computing, big data parallel and distributed processing, autonomic and sustainable computing, scalable internet services and architectures, and computer networks and security. His research was supported in part by the US National Science Foundation. He received the National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Award in 2009 and the University Faculty Award for Excellence in Research in 2011.

The course is divided into 6 modules:

• Introduction to Computer Networks
  This module provides an overview of the fundamentals of communications and networking, including the different types of networks, network topologies, and network architectures. It also covers the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) models, which are important concepts in network communications.
   
• Physical Layer
  This module covers the physical layer of the OSI model, including the different types of transmission media, encoding schemes, and modulation techniques. It also covers error detection and correction techniques.
   
• Data Link Layer 
  This module covers the data link layer of the OSI model, including the different types of data link protocols, such as Ethernet and Wi-Fi. It also covers error control, flow control, and addressing.
   
• Network Layer
  This module covers the network layer of the OSI model, including the different types of network protocols, such as IP and routing protocols. It also covers addressing and routing algorithms.
   
• Transport Layer
  This module covers the transport layer of the OSI model, including the different types of transport protocols, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). It also covers congestion control and flow control.
   
• Application Layer
  This module covers the application layer of the OSI model, including the different types of application protocols, such as HTTP and File Transfer Protocol (FTP). It also covers network security and the different types of attacks that can occur on a network.

Throughout the course, learners will work on programming assignments and quizzes to reinforce their understanding of the material. The course also includes a final project, where learners will design and implement a simple network protocol. Overall, this course is a great way to gain a deep understanding of fundamentals of data communication networks and to prepare for further study in computer science and related fields.

Companies use computer networks to provide communication and data infrastructure for employees at all levels. The IT professionals who work with networks are numerous in any given company, but the individuals who design and implement them are known as network architects or network engineers. Network architects assess a company's needs, consider the security aspects, then design and construct a unique data infrastructure. They also plan and develop additional networks as required.

The professionals who manage company networks are known as network administrators. They train new users in the system and upgrade programs daily to protect their networks. They work with vendors to find the best financial deals.

Computer networking professionals may work as network engineers or network architects, computer security specialists, or network and computer systems administrators. Database administrators, web developers, webmasters and telecommunications specialists are also examples of professionals who work with computer networking technologies.

Some employers require certifications. Various training institutes and computer vendors offer certification programs for example, Microsoft’s Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) credential. Those looking to work in this field should try and earn such a certification to be better placed to land a job.

I enrolled for this course during my second year in Bachelors of Technology. Doing this course has proved helpful during job interviews.