Advanced Computer Networks Course | NPTEL | IIT Indore & Gandhinagar
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 2122 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Computer Science and Engineering |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Future of Networking: A Deep Dive into the Advanced Computer Networks NPTEL Course
The digital world runs on networks. As technologies evolve, so must our understanding of how data flows, is managed, and secured. For students and professionals looking to move beyond the fundamentals, the Advanced Computer Networks course offered by NPTEL is an unparalleled opportunity. Taught by distinguished professors from IIT Indore and IIT Gandhinagar, this 12-week intensive program delves into the cutting-edge architectures and protocols shaping tomorrow's internet.
Course Overview: Bridging Theory and Modern Practice
This is not your introductory networking class. Designed for final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students, this course assumes a solid foundation in computer networks. It tackles four pivotal contemporary topics that are critical for both academic research and industry innovation:
- High-Performance Network Design: Learn the algorithms and hardware implementations behind ultra-fast switches and routers that power the internet backbone.
- Network Softwarization: Dive into the paradigm shift of Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), and programmable data planes with P4.
- Data Center Networking (DCN): Explore the specialized topologies and technologies, like Container Network Interfaces, that enable scalable cloud and enterprise infrastructure.
- Information-Centric Networking (ICN): Study the future of content distribution, moving from host-based addressing to named data, focusing on routing, caching, and security.
The course uniquely balances theoretical depth with practical application, featuring hands-on programming assignments using tools like Mininet and BMv2 switches to solidify your learning.
Learn from Leading IIT Experts
The curriculum is delivered by professors with exceptional academic and industry credentials, ensuring you learn both the principles and their real-world applications.
Prof. Neminath Hubballi (IIT Indore)
An Associate Professor with a Ph.D. from IIT Guwahati, Prof. Hubballi brings valuable industry experience from corporate R&D centers at Samsung, Infosys, and Hewlett-Packard. His research expertise in networks and system security informs the course's rigorous approach to secure network design. A seasoned academic, he actively serves on technical program committees and reviews for top security journals and conferences.
Prof. Sameer G. Kulkarni (IIT Gandhinagar)
An Assistant Professor and recipient of the prestigious IEEE TCSC Best PhD Dissertation Award 2019, Prof. Kulkarni holds a Ph.D. from the University of Göttingen, Germany. His postdoctoral research at the University of California, Riverside, and industry experience ground his teaching in the latest global advancements. His research interests are at the heart of the course, including Software Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), and Edge Cloud Platforms.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | High Performance Switching & Routing: Introduction, performance, IP address lookup algorithms, and hardware implementation. |
| Weeks 3-4 | Packet Classification & Quality of Service: Methods for classification, DiffServ, QoS, traffic policing and shaping. |
| Weeks 5-8 | Network Softwarization Deep Dive: Intro to SDN, NFV architecture, and Programmable Networks with P4 and SmartNICs. Includes hands-on Lab Exercises with Mininet and BMv2. |
| Weeks 9-10 | Data Center Networking (DCN): Introduction and deep dive into network topologies and Container Network Interfaces. |
| Weeks 11-12 | Information Centric Networking (ICN): Content distribution architectures, naming, routing, caching, and security in Named Data Networking (NDN). |
Who Should Enroll and Prerequisites
Intended Audience: Final-year B.Tech/B.E., M.Tech, M.S., and Ph.D. students in Computer Science and Engineering.
Prerequisites: A solid understanding of undergraduate-level Computer Networks and Computer Architecture is essential. Learners are strongly encouraged to have completed the foundational NPTEL course "Computer Networks and Internet Protocol" (or equivalent) and possess working proficiency with Unix/Linux operating systems for the practical components.
Industry Relevance and Support
The skills taught in this course are in high demand across the technology sector. The curriculum is directly relevant to roles in network architecture, cloud infrastructure, telecom, and cybersecurity. The course enjoys recognition and support from major industry players including CISCO, Juniper Networks, Sasken, Hewlett-Packard, Wipro, and Broadcom.
Essential Reference Materials
To complement the video lectures, the instructors recommend several key texts:
- High Performance Switches and Routers by H. Jonathan Chao & Bin Liu (Wiley).
- Software-Defined Networks: A Systems Approach by Peterson et al. (Free online book).
- Cloud Networking: Understanding Cloud-based Data Centre Networks by Gary Lee (Morgan Kaufmann).
- Information-Centric Networks: A New Paradigm for the Internet by de Brito et al. (Wiley-ISTE).
- Relevant IETF RFCs on Named Data Networking.
This Advanced Computer Networks course represents a significant step towards mastering the complex, software-driven networks of the future. By combining the expert guidance of IIT faculty with a practical, hands-on curriculum, NPTEL provides a world-class learning experience that can propel your academic or professional career in computer networking to the next level.
Enroll Now →