Communication Protocols and Internet Architectures
Harvard Extension School
CSCI E-40
Section 1
CRN 24033
Networks are now too large, complex, and diverse to be built on an ad hoc basis. This course provides a structured approach to the design, analysis, and implementation of networks and protocols. We study various protocols, including TCP/IP, WWW/HTTP, e-mail/SMTP, domain name system (DNS), routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, and BGP) and autonomous systems (AS), virtual network protocols (VXLAN), delay-tolerant network protocols (DTN), and the IEEE 802 LAN protocol suite. In each case, the protocol's functions and the underlying reference model are discussed in detail. LAN architecture and design, network security and encryption, and the design and analysis of both private networks and the internet are presented. The course discusses new areas of work, including low latency network design, cloud network architecture, gigabit wireless networks, protocols for the Internet-of-Things (IoT), software-defined networks (SDN), and network functions virtualization (NFV).
Registration Closes: January 22, 2026
Credits: 4
View Tuition Information Term
Spring Term 2026
Part of Term
Full Term
Format
Online
Credit Status
Graduate, Noncredit, Undergraduate
Section Status
Open