Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts (PDF Download ...

Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts Overview We strongly believe that students learn more effectively from courses that provide for active involvement in interactive learning experiences. Various tools (software/hardware) and innovative lab materials are being developed in enhancement of the teaching and learning various aspects of computer networking and computer hardware fundamentals. A web-based system (named WebLan-Designer) is being developed for interactive teaching and learning both wired and wireless LAN design. The WebLan-Designer is funded by AUT through the Resources to Enhance Teaching and Learning Contestable Grant, 2004 (Grant # CJ9987105000). We also focused on curriculum development in computer networking. This stream of research investigates several aspects of computer networking and hardware concepts: • • • • • • • • •

Agent based intelligent help system for New Zealand student community WebLan-Designer: A Web-based system for interactive teaching and learning wired and wireless LAN design Web-based Learning and Teaching Technologies Wi-Fi Antenna design project Integrating Infrared and Wi-Fi data with PIC projects PIC based projects LOGIC-Minimiser Developing innovative hands-on lab materials Curriculum development

Researchers Involved Staff:

Nurul I. Sarkar Krassie Petrova Tony Clear

Collaborators:

Dr Trevor M. Craig (Wollongong College Auckland) Associate Professor Kinshuk (Massey University) Dr Khaleel Petrus (USQ, Australia) Dr Nabeel Al-Qirim (UAEU, UAE)

Funding •

2005/06: e-Learning Collaborative Development TEC Contestable Grant # DJ 8000 412407. Sub-contract with Massey University. Value NZ$39,322. Project: Agent based intelligent help system for New Zealand student community.

•

2004/05: Auckland University of Technology Resources to Enhance Teaching and Learning Contestable Grant # DJ9987105000. Value NZ $8,000.00 Project: WebLan-Designer: A web-based system for interactive teaching and learning LAN design

Publications Edited Book Sarkar, N.I. (2006) “Tools for Teaching Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts” Hershey PA, USA: Information Science Publishing, ISBN: 1-59140-735-4 eISBN: 1-59140-736-2, Editor: Nurul I. Sarkar Sarkar, N. I. and Petrova, K. (Ed.). (2005). Proceedings of the AUT University First IT Symposium, School of Computer and Information Sciences, AUT. ISBN: 1-877314-50-1

Refereed Book Chapters Sarkar, N. I. (2006). Interactive Tools for Teaching and Learning LAN Design. In L. Tomei (Ed.), Advanced Topics in IT Education. Hershey PA: Idea Group Reference Sarkar, N. I. and Petrova, K. (2006). “WebLan-Designer: a Web-Based Tool for Teaching and Learning Wired and Wireless LAN Design – In N. Sarkar (Ed.), Tools for Teaching Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts. Hershey PA: Information Science Publishing, ISBN: 159140-735-4, pp. 21-38. Sarkar, N.I. and Craig, T.M. (2006), “Enhancing Teaching and Learning Computer Hardware Fundamentals Using PIC-Based Projects” – In N. Sarkar (Ed.), Tools for Teaching Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts. Hershey PA: Information Science Publishing, ISBN: 159140-735-4, pp. 229-248. Craig, T.M. and Sarkar N.I. (2006), “Enhancing Teaching and Learning Wireless Communication Networks Using Wireless Projects” – In N. Sarkar (Ed.), Tools for Teaching Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts, Hershey PA: Information Science Publishing, ISBN: 159140-735-4, pp. 135-153. Sarkar, N. I. and Petrus, K. (2006). “Logic-Minimiser: a Software Tool for Teaching and Learning Minimisation of Boolean Expressions – In N. Sarkar (Ed.), Tools for Teaching Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts. Hershey PA: Information Science Publishing, ISBN: 159140-735-4, pp. 303-317.

Siringoringo, W. and Sarkar, N. I. (2006). “Teaching and Learning Wi-Fi Networking Fundamentals Using Limited Resources” – In N. Sarkar (Ed.), Tools for Teaching Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts. Hershey PA: Information Science Publishing, ISBN: 159140-735-4, pp. 154-178. Sarkar, N.I. (2006), “Introduction to Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts” – In N. Sarkar (Ed.), Tools for Teaching Computer Networking and Hardware Concepts. Hershey PA:Information Science Publishing, ISBN: 1-59140-735-4, pp. 1-19. Sarkar, N.I (2005). “Enhancing Learning and Teaching Wireless LAN Design” In C. Howard et al (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Distance Learning. Hershey PA: Idea Group Reference, pp 835-844. Refereed Journal and Conference papers Sarkar, N.I (2006) “Teaching TCP/IP Networking Using Practical Laboratory Exercises” – International Journal of Information & Communication Technology Education, 2(4), pp. 39-50, Oct-Dec 2006. ISSN: 15501876; eISSN: 1550-1337. Sarkar, N.I. and Petrova, K. (2006). A flexible learning system for teaching computer network design to business students - Proceedings of the DEANZ 2006 conference - Enabling e-learning approaches in C21, July 3-5, 2006, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand. pp. 1-12. Sarkar, N.I. (2006) “Teaching Computer Networking Fundamentals Using Practical Laboratory Exercises.” IEEE Transactions on Education, 49(2), May 2006, pp. 285-291. Sarkar, N.I. and Craig, T.M. (2006) “Teaching Computer Hardware and Organization using PIC-based Projects”. International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education (IJEEE), 43(2), April 2006, pp. 150163. ISSN: 0020-7209. Sarkar, N.I. and Craig, T.M (2006) “Teaching Wireless Communication and Networking Fundamentals Using Wi-Fi Projects” IEEE Transactions on Education, 49(1), February 2006. Sarkar, N.I. (2005). WebLan-Designer: a Web-Based Tool for Teaching and Learning LAN Design, Proceedings of the AUT University First IT Symposium, Nov 8, Auckland, New Zealand. pp. 17-18. Sarkar, N.I and Al-Qirim, N (2005) “Teaching TCP/IP networking using hands-on laboratory experience” – Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Innovations in Information Technology (IIT’05), September 26-28, Dubai, UEA.

Sarkar, N.I. and Petrova, K. (2005). WebLan-Designer Demonstration – Proceedings of the 18th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), July 10-13, Tauranga, New Zealand. pp 371. Sarkar, N.I. and Craig, T. (2005). PIC-Projects Demonstration – Proceedings of the 18th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), July 11-13, Tauranga, New Zealand. pp 372. Sarkar, N.I. and Petrova, K. (2005) “WebLan-Designer: a Web-based System for Interactive Teaching and Learning LAN Design – Proceedings of the 3rd IEEE International Conference on Information Technology Research and Education (ITRE’05), June 27-30, Hsinchu, Taiwan. pp. 328-332. Sarkar, N.I (2005) “LAN-Designer: a software tool to enhance learning and teaching server-based LAN design” International Journal of Information & Communication Technology Education, 1(2), 74-86, April-June 2005. Sarkar, N. I. (2004). “WLAN-Designer: a Web-based Software Tool to Enhance Learning and Teaching Wireless LAN Design” – Proceedings of the 4th IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT), Aug 30 – Sep 1, Joensuu, Finland. Pp 624-628. Sarkar, N.I. and Craig, T.M. (2004), “Illustrating Computer Hardware Concepts using PIC-based Projects” – ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, 36(1), 270-274., March 2004. Petrova, K., Sarkar, N.I., Buchan, J. (2004). “The Quality of Service Paradigm as the Focus of Net-Centric Computing: a Postgraduate Course” – [Online] The New Zealand Bulletin of Applied Computing & Information Technology (BACIT) 2(2), June 2004. http://www.naccq.ac.nz/bacit/0202/2004Petrova_industry.html Sarkar, N.I. and Craig, T.M. (2004). “Illustrating Computer Hardware Concepts using PIC-based Projects” – Proceedings of the 35th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE’04), Norfolk, Virginia, USA, March 3-7, pp. 270-274. Sarkar, N.I and Lian, J. H. (2003). “LAN-Designer: A software tool for teaching and learning LAN design” – Proceedings of the 3rd IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT), Athens, Greece. July 9-11, pp. 260-161. Sarkar, N.I, and Lian, J.H. (2003). “LAN-Designer Demonstration” Proceedings of the 16th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), Palmerston North, New Zealand, July 7-9, pp. 500.

Petrova, K. and Sarkar, N.I and Buchan, J. (2003). “Net-centric Computing: A Postgraduate Course” – Proceedings of the 16th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), Palmerston North, New Zealand, July 7-9, pp. 375-379. Sarkar, N.I. (2003). “Education of server-based networking concepts using hands-on laboratory experience” – Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Computer and Information Technology (ICCIT), Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 19-21. pp. 211-216. Sarkar, N.I, and Petrus, K. (2002). “A Lesson Plan for Teaching Boolean Expressions Minimisation” - In Proceedings of the 15th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), Hamilton, New Zealand, July 3-5, pp. 492. Sarkar, N., Petrus, K., and Hossain, H. (2001). “Software Implementation of the Quine-McCluskey Algorithm for Logic Gate Minimisation” Proceedings of the 14th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), Napier, New Zealand, July 3-5, pp. 375-378. Sarkar, N., and Petrus, K. (2001). “Logic Gate Minimisation Demonstration” Proceedings of the 14th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), Napier, New Zealand, July 3-5, pp. 456. Sarkar,

N.I, and Petrova, K. (2001). “Teaching Networking & Telecommunications: A Network Analysis and Software Development Approach - Proceedings of the 14th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), Napier, New Zealand, July 3-5 July, pp. 379-384.

Sarkar, N.I, and Clear, T. (2000). “Developing a New Course for the Software Development Pathway on the AUT Bachelor of Applied Science Programme” - Proceedings of the 13th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), Wellington, New Zealand, July 1-3, pp. 303-309. Sarkar, N.I., Bahr, J.L and Thomson, N.R. (1993). A Programmable Digital Delay, Measurement Science & Technology, U.K., vol.4, no.12, pp 1509-11. Research-in-Progress

Computer Networking Overview A country and/or a nation will be immobilised without the computer and data communication networks. The development of high-speed networks, including wireless and mobile communication networks will play an important role for the socio-economic development of countries worldwide. This research examined the performance modeling and evaluation of high-speed computer networks, including mobile and wireless communications networks. A framework for estimating as well as improving the capacity of wireless LANs is being developed. It also focused on developing new MAC schemes for wireless LANs and wireless PANs, wireless routing protocols, QoS architecture for wireless multimedia networking, and deployment of Wi-Fi networking. This stream of research investigates several aspects of computer networking including wireless and mobile communication networks. • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • •

Capacity estimation of wireless LANs Cross-layer design optimisation Performance evaluation of IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs Performance evaluation of IEEE 802.15 wireless personal area networks (Bluetooth) MIMO and OFDM systems Wireless sensor networks Wireless mesh networks Deployment of Wi-Fi Networks Integrating Wi-Fi and 3G QoS architectures in mobile and wireless networks Wireless LAN security. Wireless routing protocols M-commerce applications. Information security and Risk management Intelligent Agents

Possible Masters Projects •

Performance Analysis of IEEE 802.11-Based Wireless LANs While some research work have been carried out in the area of performance analysis of IEEE 802.11 WLAN in recent years, the problem of efficient channel utilisation under high traffic conditions has not been fully solved yet. This project aims to develop analytical models for performance analysis of IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs under heavy traffic conditions. The performance metrics include channel utilisation, mean delay, throughput, packet drop ratio, and fairness. Simulation may be used to validate analytical models.

•

QoS Schemes for IEEE 802.11 DCF Wireless LANs The original IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN lacks QoS schemes to support real-time applications. This project aims to develop a new scheme to include a QoS (e.g., real time applications) in the IEEE 802.11 DCF protocol. The performance analysis of proposed scheme will be carried out by simulation.

•

Propagation Modelling for IEEE 802.11 Wireless LANs Propagation modelling is one of the key factors that determine the capacity of wireless LANs. This project examines various existing propagation models and proposes an improved propagation model for wireless LANs. The model will be validated by measurements and simulation.

•

Performance Modelling and Evaluation of Wireless MAC Protocols A wireless MAC protocol is one of the main elements that determine the capacity of wireless LANs. This project aims to develop new MAC protocols for wireless LANs. The performance metrics include mean packet delay, throughput, packet drop ratio, and fairness. The performance evaluation of MAC protocols will be carried out by simulation.

•

High-speed wireless mesh networks (IEEE 802.11s) IEEE 802.11s-based mesh networks will be an attractive solution for providing low-cost and high-speed Internet access citywide. The meshcapable access points will be available in the market soon. This project aims to improve the performance of wireless mesh networks by investigating one or more of the followings: • Congestion control mechanisms • Routing algorithms • Architecture/Topology

•

Wireless Network Security: An Experimental Study Despite of gaining more popularity of wireless local area networks (WLANs) in both business and home networking applications in recent years, WLAN security continues to be the main barrier to adoption of wireless technology in organisations. This project will take war driving/ experimental approach to investigate the wireless security flaws, issues and challenges, and develop a strategy for improving wireless security.

•

Security Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11-Based Wireless LANs Although IEEE 802.11-based wireless local area networks (WLANs) are gaining popularity in both business and home networking applications worldwide, but WLAN security remains an ongoing concern. The rapid deployment of WLANs has further emphasised the security vulnerabilities in the IEEE 802.11 standard. Clearly, the IEEE 802.11 standard has security flaws in both authentication and encryption. This work examines the existing security mechanisms implemented in IEEE 802.11 standard and proposes a new security enhancement method.

•

Influence of Teletraffic on the Capacity of Wireless LANs Teletraffic is one of the key factors that determine the performance of wireless LANs. This project examines the influence of teletraffic on the delay-throughput performance of wireless LANs. Simulation will be used for performance evaluation.

•

Modelling and Performance Evaluation of IEEE 802.15-Based Wireless PANs A MAC protocol is one of the main elements that determines the performance of wireless PANs (Bluetooth). This project aims to develop a new MAC protocol for wireless PANs. The performance evaluation will be carried out by simulation.

•

Routing Protocols for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks Routing schemes play an important role in determining the performance of wireless LANs. This project aims to examine the existing routing protocols and propose a new routing protocol for wireless ad hoc networks.

•

Risk Management Framework One of the challenges faced by e-commerce companies is to manage the potential threats and risks effectively in a short period of time. This project aims to develop a robust framework for rapid risk management in ecommerce and related businesses by combining risk management modelling and database (knowledge base). The idea is to get information of the ‘threat history’ (i.e., new threat or old threat) and share this knowledge with risk management database, so that the system can operate efficiently even in the high-risk situation.

•

Intelligent Agents Intelligent Agents (also called Software Agents) are becoming increasingly popular in applications such as e-commerce and online businesses around the world because an Intelligent Agent can help automate the process of searching through and evaluating reams of information on the Web. For example, an intelligent agent could search on the Internet to find a car matching a list of criteria, like tracking down the best price for purchasing grey Toyota Camry 2004. This research aims at developing a suitable set of metrics from which a model can be built to compare the performance of Intelligent Agents (IA). The work includes: survey on the literature in the area of intelligent agents, modelling for performance comparison of different IA, and reviewing various existing AI suitable for eCommerce and online businesses and evaluate their performance.

Researchers Involved Staff:

Nurul I. Sarker Krassie Petrova Russel Pears

Collaborators A/Professor Kevin W. Sowerby (The University of Auckland) Dr Jairo Gutierrez (The University of Auckland) Dr Trevor M. Craig (Wollongong College, Auckland) Professor Roger McHaney (Kansas State University, USA) Dr Nabeel Al-Qirim (UAEU, UAE) Funding •

2003-2006: AUT’s Transitional Research Path funding for three years (Grant # DJ8000413005). Value NZ$7,500 per year

•

Auckland University of Technology School of Computer & Information Sciences Contestable Research Grant 31/10/ 2003. Value NZ$5,000.

Publications Book Chapters Houliston, B. and Sarkar, N. I. (2006). Wi-Fi-Deployment in Large New Zealand Organisations: a Survey. In J. Gutierrez (Ed.), Advanced Topics in Business Data Communications and Networking, Volume 1, Hershey PA: Idea Group Reference. Refereed Conference and Journal Papers Sarkar, N.I and McHaney, R. (2006) “Modeling and Simulation of IEEE 802.11 Wireless LANs: a Case Study of a Network Simulator” – Submitted to Information Resources Management Journal (under review) Sarkar, N.I. and Byrne, C. and Al-Qirim, N. (2006), “Gigabit Ethernet Implementation: The Case of a Large New Zealand Organisation” International Journal of Business Data Communications and Networking, 2(4), October-December 2006, pp. 60-78,. ISSN: 15480631; eISSN: 1548-064X Sarkar, N.I (2006) “Performance Study of IEEE 802.11b Wireless LAN under High Traffic Conditions” – Proceedings of the 2006 Information Resources Management Association international conference, May 2124, Washington DC, USA, pp. 101-104. Sarkar, N.I and McHaney, R. (2006) “Modelling and Simulation of IEEE 802.11 WLANs: a Case Study of a Network Simulator” – Proceedings of the 2006 Information Resources Management Association international conference, May 21-24, Washington DC, USA, pp. 715718. (received a best paper award). Sarkar, N.I. (2006) “The impact of radio propagation environment on the WiFi link throughput: a case study” – CIS Review

Sarkar, N.I. (2006) “Fairness Studies of IEEE 802.11b DCF under Heavy Traffic Conditions” - Proceedings of the 1st IEEE International Conference on Next-generation Wireless Systems (ICNEWS), Jan 2-4, Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Bangladesh, pp. 11-16 (ISBN:984-32-2914-2). Sarkar, N.I. and Sowerby, K.W. (2005) “Buffer Unit Multiple Access (BUMA) Protocol: an Enhancement to IEEE 802.11b DCF”– Proceedings of the IEEE Global Telecommunications (GLOBECOM’05), Nov 28- Dec 02, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, pp. 2584-2588. Sarkar, N.I and Cusack, B. (2005), “Wireless LAN Security: A Survey of Problems and Solutions” – 2005 IT Governance International Conference. November 14-16, Copthorne Harbour City Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand, pp 79-90. Sarkar, N.I (2005), “An improved MAC protocol for IEEE 802.11b-based WLAN” – Presented at the 2005 Postgraduate Research Exposition (EXPOSURE’05), October 3-5, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. Sarkar, N.I, Byrne, C and Al-Qirim, N. (2005). “Upgrading to Gigabit Ethernet: The Case of a Large New Zealand Organisation” – The 2nd International Conference on Innovations in Information Technology (IIT’05), September 26-28, Dubai, UEA. Al-Qirim, N., Ali, E.I. and Sarkar, N.I (2005) Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Mobile Commerce: Issues, Implications and Future Trends – Proceedings of the 3rd International conference on World Association for Sustainable Development, Nov 21-23, Abu-Dhabi, UAE. pp. 243250. Houliston, B. and Sarkar, N.I. (2005) Wi-Fi Deployment: A survey of large New Zealand organisations – International Journal of Business Data Communications and Networking (IJBDCN), 1(3), 37-58, JulySeptember 2005. Sarkar, N.I. (2005) “Experimenting with Wi-Fi Computer Links at the Auckland University of Technology” –Proceedings of the 2005 Information Resources Management Association international conference, May 15-18, San Diego, USA. pp 853-855 Sarkar, N and Al-Qirim, N. (2005) “The battle for an ISP: The case of a Polytechnic institution in New Zealand - Proceedings of the 2005 Information Resources Management Association international conference, May 15-18, San Diego, USA. pp 691-693 Sarkar, N.I and Cusack, B. (2004), E-commerce rapid risk management framework – The Proceedings of the 2004 IT Governance International

Conference, Nov 15 – 16, KPMG Centre, Auckland, New Zealand. pp 89-99. Sarkar, N.I (2004), A framework for estimating the capacity of wireless LANs – Presented at the 2004 Postgraduate Research Exposition (EXPOSURE’04), October 12-14, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. Houliston, B., Sarkar, N.I. (2004), Land of the Long Wi-Fi Cloud? IEEE 802.11b Deployment in New Zealand – Proceedings of the 17th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), July 7-9, Christchurch, New Zealand. pp 8794. Evans, R. and Sarkar, N.I. (2004) M-commerce in the hospital environments: Issues, challenges and future trends – [Online] The New Zealand Bulletin of Applied Computing & Information Technology (BACIT) 2(1), March 2004. http://www.naccq.ac.nz/bacit/0201/2004Evans_SarkarMC_health.html Houliston, B., Sarkar, N.I (2004). New Zealand’s Wi-Fi Cloud: Recent Survey Results – Proceedings of the 17th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), July 79, Christchurch, New Zealand. pp 499. Sarkar, N.I, and Pawlikowski, K. (2002). “A Delay-throughput Performance Improvement to the Pi-persistent Protocol”. Pakistan Journal of Applied Sciences (PJAS), vol. 2, no.3, March 2002, pp 390-399. Sarkar, N.I (2002). “Fairness Studies of the Pi-persistent Protocol in Unidirectional Bus Networks”. Pakistan Journal of Information and Technology (PJIT), vol. 1, no. 3, pp 255-263. Sarkar, N.I (2002). “Wireless Data Communications Systems: Technologies, Challenges and Future Trends” - Proceedings of the 15th annual conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications (NACCQ), Hamilton, New Zealand. July 3-5, pp. 365369. Sarkar, N.I, and Pawlikowski, K. (2001). “A Simulation Study of the Pipersistent Protocol in Unidirectional Bus Networks” – Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer and Information Technology (ICCIT2000), NSU, Dhaka. January 25-26, pp 84-88. Sarkar, N.I, and Pawlikowski, K. (2001). “A Delay-throughput Performance Improvement to the Pi-persistent Protocol” – Proceedings of the 6th IEEE Symposium on Computers and Communications (ISCC 2001), Hammamet, Tunisia. July 3-5, pp 615-620.

Sarkar, N.I (1995). “Fairness Studies of Bus Networks Operating Under a Probabilistic Scheduling Strategy” - Proceedings of the 2nd New Zealand Computer Science Research Students’ Conference (NZCSRS), University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, April 18-21, pp 243250.

Research-in-Progress Sarkar, N.I. and Sowerby, K. (2006) “Joint Physical-MAC Layer Design Framework for Wireless LANs” – Submitted to IEEE ICCT06, China Sarkar, N.I. and Sowerby, K. (2006) “Wi-Fi Performance Measurements in the Crowded office Environment: a case study”– Submitted to IEEE ICCT06, China Sarkar, N.I et al. (2006) “Wireless LAN Security: Issues, Challenges, Implications and Solutions” – to be submitted to IEEE Computer Magazine. Sarkar, N.I. et al. (2006) “Modelling and Performance Evaluation of Intelligent Agents – A Case Study”