Module Databases and Communication Networks 1, Media Computer Science (Bachelor) (ER 6)
The module teaches the basics and practical skills in database systems and communication networks.
Competence objectives in the field of databases:
- Students can model, normalize and implement relational databases.
- They are proficient in SQL (DDL, DML, DCL), transaction management, JDBC and OR mapping (Hibernate).
- They develop database applications independently and integrate them into programming languages such as Java.
- Teamwork and problem-solving skills are encouraged through practice-oriented projects.
Competence goals in the area of communication networks:
- Students understand the architecture and functionality of networks and analyze protocols such as HTTP, TCP, UDP, IPv4/IPv6.
- They plan, configure and evaluate networks, including routing and subnetting.
- They implement protocol functions and use tools for network analysis and fault diagnosis.
- They are able to analyze and evaluate network performance indicators.
The module promotes analytical thinking, practical problem-solving skills and teamwork and provides a foundation for topics such as network security and distributed systems.
In this course, students expand their knowledge of communication networks, in particular by taking an in-depth look at the functionalities and challenges of the layers of the Internet protocol stack. After completing the course, they will be able to analyze, evaluate and practically apply advanced mechanisms and protocols in the application layer, transport layer, network layer and security layer. They will be able to identify complex network problems, combine specific solution modules and develop innovative solutions.
The lecture covers the following topics:
- Transmission of multimedia content in the application layer, e.g. Netflix and Skype, as well as the basics of secure communication such as TLS and secure email.
- Transport layer mechanisms, including extensions to TCP such as SACK and CUBIC, as well as new protocols such as QUIC.
- Network layer with addressing and routing concepts, including IPv6, Software Defined Networking (SDN) and IPsec.
- Data link layer with a focus on VLANs, MPLS and data center networks.
The lecture is taught in a flipped classroom format. Students prepare for the classroom sessions independently using lecture slides and explanatory videos. In these sessions, the topics are explored in greater depth through case studies and exercises. Online tests offer students the opportunity for self-assessment and to collect bonus points for the exam. The examination consists of a 60-minute written exam, which is part of the module exam "Databases and Communication Networks 2".
The total workload is 75 hours, divided into 25 hours of attendance time, 25 hours of asynchronous learning and 25 hours for exam preparation and follow-up.
- Slide collection and explanatory videos in the ILIAS system
- James Kurose, Keith Ross: Computer Networking - A Top-Down Approach, 8th edition, Pearson, 2021
- Various Internet standards, see https://www.rfc-editor.org
- Further information in the lecture
In the lab, students apply practical knowledge and skills to consolidate the content of the lecture of the same name. After completing the lab, they will be able to analyze, configure and programmatically implement network protocols in various layers and measure and evaluate the performance of network applications.
After successful participation, students will be able to:
- explain the functionality of application layer protocols (e.g. SMTP, POP3) and implement them through programming.
- implement and evaluate transport layer mechanisms (e.g. stop-and-wait protocol) in unreliable networks.
- Plan, configure and analyze networks and subnets, including addressing and routing.
- use tools for network analysis and diagnostics (e.g. iperf3, cpunetlog) to measure performance and interpret the results.
The laboratory includes the following experiments, which are carried out in teams of 2-4 people:
- Experiment 1: Application layer: Configuration and programming of e-mail services (SMTP, POP3) with tools such as Postfix, Dovecot and Java Mail API.
- Experiment 2: Transport layer: Implementation of a reliable data transmission protocol based on UDP. Simulation of a faulty communication medium and use of the stop-and-wait protocol.
- Experiment 3: Network layer: Network planning and configuration with Mininet, including routing, subnetting and the use of tools such as ping, traceroute and ifconfig.
- Experiment 4: Performance measurement: Analysis of network performance in simulated environments with iperf3 and cpunetlog. Investigation of data streams and CPU utilization.
The experiments are carried out in a virtual environment as group work. The students document their results and present them at the end. The examination consists of the successful completion of the four laboratory experiments and the presentation of the results. The workload is 30 hours, including 15 hours of attendance time and 15 hours of independent preparation and follow-up work.
- Collection of slides and explanatory videos on the experiments in the ILIAS system
- Documents for the lecture "Communication Networks 1"
The lecture covers the following topics:
- Introduction to information systems
- Basics of database systems
- Database organization
- Data models
- Database schema
- Architecture: 3-tier model, client-server architecture
- Current SQL standard (queries, DDL, DML, in particular SQL:2003 with object-oriented extensions, NF2, window functions)
- Transactions
- JDBC
- ER modeling
- Mapping entities and relationships to relational data models
- Normalization
- OR mapping
- Script
- Example databases of the lecture for the common database systems
- Exercises
- Sample programs
- Collection of old exams and their solutions
- Edwin Schicker, "Datenbanken und SQL", Springer Vieweg, 2017, ISBN: 978-3834817327
- Gunter Saake, Kai-Uwe Sattler, "Datenbanken - Konzepte und Sprachen", mitp, 2013, ISBN: 978-3286694530
M.Sc. Amir Bukhari
The knowledge learned in "Databases 1" is deepened and practiced in group work. The interaction of a database with a higher programming language (Java) is understood. The use of SQL (DCL; DML; DDL), transactions and isolation levels and the avoidance of deadlocks is mastered.
A database application for warehouse management will be designed and prototypically implemented. This includes the setup of a DB schema, the design and testing of SQL queries, the use of transactions and transaction levels as well as the programming of queries and transactions with Java using JDBC based on Oracle (the preparation for the laboratory should be done in PostgreSQL or MySQL).
Finally, several given verbal facts are analyzed, transferred to an Entity Relationship model, normalized, transferred to a physical schema and finally created in SQL. Finally, the handling of the OR mapper Hibernate is practiced.
- Script
- Sample databases
- Programming framework
- Edwin Schicker, "Datenbanken und SQL", Springer Vieweg, 2017, ISBN: 978-3834817327
- Gunter Saake, Kai-Uwe Sattler, "Datenbanken - Konzepte und Sprachen", mitp, 2013, ISBN: 978-3286694530
Supervised laboratory with final presentation on the computer, independent work, preparation for follow-up, writing a laboratory report on the tasks.