A Sequence Of Closed Laboratory Exercises For A Course In Data Communications

A sequence of closed laboratory exercises for a course in Data Communications is described in this paper. The exercises are a combination of client-server programming, and simulation. The socket API using C/C++ is used for the client-server programming exercises. This allows students an opportunity to look under the hood and use networking protocols like TCP and UDP to develop their own client-server applications. COMNET III is the tool used to simulate communication networks. It is used to model networks, their control algorithms, and workload. Network simulations add a practical flavor to the course and enable students to observe the operation of an internet comprising dissimilar networks and protocols.