Protocol Design

What it is about

You learn how communication protocols are structured, which design principles and building blocks exist, and how design decisions influence practice, scalability, security, and acceptance. At the end you will be able to evaluate protocol functions, develop your own protocol specifications step by step, and implement simple implementations in groups.

What you will be able to do

• Recognize fundamental functional building blocks of protocols
• Evaluate alternatives for realizing protocol functions
• Understand the emergence and development of Internet architecture principles
• Assess technical aspects of protocol design for Internet scale
• Identify non-technical challenges in dissemination and acceptance
• Understand the impact of design decisions on implementation, maintenance, and validation
• Ensure interoperability and evolvability of protocols
• Recognize the influence of market actors and IPR on technology development
• Apply methods for analysis, modeling, and evaluation of protocols

What the module consists of

• Vorlesung (Präsenz, 4 Stunden/Woche)Transmission of architectural principles, design patterns and case studies
• Übungen (Präsenz, 2 Stunden/Woche)Deepening through inverse-classroom techniques, student presentations of current topics
• Hausaufgaben / AssignmentsPractical work on selected topics and step-by-step development of a protocol specification in small groups

Teaching method

• Blended LearningCombination of in-person lectures and supplementary exercises for active engagement with content
• Inverse Classroom / Studierenden-PräsentationenEncourages independent research and deepening of current techniques