SOP for MS in Computer Networking

***This SOP is completely written by me with no copying or help

whatsoever. I have purposefully not included info about my childhood
schooling or how I got into my college because it is not exactly related
to my aim of MS in Networking. Also I have not included details about
my final year projects. Please advice on whether I need to include these
and what I should omit from this SOP. As it stands it is over 570 words.
Would be much indebted. ***

A random quote I read on some social Networking site: - “Sometimes

when my Internet is down, I forget the rest of my computer still works.”
Some people might dismiss this statement as a joke but if we think
carefully, the statement is true. It is almost unthinkable to have
standalone PC’s today with no connectivity to other devices or the
Internet and this massive and fascinating field is only growing and
evolving every day. It is in this field of Computer Networks that I wish
to pursue my post-graduate studies.

My first real introduction to computer Networks was during the sixth

semester of my under-graduate studies when the subject “Computer
Networks” was a part of the syllabus. The recommended book for
studies was “Data Communications and Networking” by Behrouz A.
Forouzan and so, like most students my foray into the Networking
World began with this text. From the first moment of studying about the
OSI model layers I was totally entranced. The subject was not only
intuitive and easy to understand but its use and implementation could be
seen everywhere around us. From the LAN ports installed in every
student rooms to the default gateways connecting us to the internet
networking was truly a miracle of modern technology and I became
determined to assimilate as much knowledge of the sphere as possible,
both theoretical and practical, and also to implement said knowledge in
practical pursuits.

In order to further my understanding of the practical aspects of

Computer Networking I signed up for an Advanced Networking Course
by HCL Career Development Center as part of our summer
training/internship for students entering their final year. This was an 80
hour long course intended to familiarize students with: - Networking
models, Networking protocols, Networking Algorithms, Networking
Devices, Networking Media, Networking Topology, Concept of
different Servers, Concept of Networking Security, Implementation of a
simple LAN and WAN, Connecting a particular office or site to Internet,
Securing a particular site from outside, Wireless Network and its
Security, Simple Network Troubleshooting, Network Addresses. Even
though a lot of these topics were familiar to me through my Networking
studies in the 6th semester the real difference was the first hand
experience and familiarization with various networking equipment with
various Networking devices like Switches, Routers and Wireless
Modems/ Access Points.

The course ended with a project to connect a small office site to the
Internet in a Packet Tracer simulation.
It is well known that networking knowledge needs to be supplemented
with good programming fundamentals in an object-oriented Language.
The C language was already a part of our course material during First
Semester of Graduation and I have supplemented it with study of C++ to
build a thorough understanding of object oriented as well as Procedural
Programming.
With my studies thus far I am confident that I have a solid base in the
world of Computer Networks. To further solidify this base and expand
my horizons in the Networking world I wish to pursue a Master’s degree
in networking from a reputed Chinese university. It is no secret that most
of the cutting edge research and latest developments come from various
Chinese universities and research departments. Also the faculty and
Labs are certainly among the best in the World. Keeping these factors in
mind I would like to apply to your University as a prospective student
and I hope that if given the chance I would enhance the University’s
reputation and standings in addition to furthering my own practical and
professional pursuits.

Thank you for taking the time to review my application.

Arslan Ali