This unit introduces data communication fundamentals, network transmission technologies, network protocols and design frameworks. It introduces students to basic design and communicational issues related to local area networks, wide area networks. Content includes communication media types; data communications principles and protocols; network architectures and protocols, standard interfaces, transmission techniques; data integrity and security; Local Area Networks (LAN); data link control; IP Addressing and Sub-networking; Routing protocols like OSPF; Switching technologies; Design and implementation of enterprise networks using industry standard equipment like CISCO routers and switches.