The communication networks design course examines the design issues for communication networks and the trade-offs. Topics include types of communication networks, shortest path, maximum flow, and minimum cost problems including novel polynomial time algorithms, routing algorithms and protocols, protocol processing, queuing theory, switching fabrics, network processors, network development life cycle, network design and analysis, network protection and restoration design, multi-layer network design, data to support network design, structured enterprise network design, hierarchical tree network design, network optimization, traffic flow analysis, analysis of data loss and delay in networks, and network reliability issues.