CS 3251: Computer Networks I

Overview

Communications networks are fundamental to our everyday lives. Whether for enabling global scale commerce or connecting long lost friends, these systems have created an unparalleled age of information. Accordingly, knowledge of such systems is critical for all scientists and engineers. This course provides an overview of networking technologies. Students satisfactorily completing this course will gain the skills necessary to analyze and design networking systems and protocols. The course will begin with the application layer, looking at design patterns present in common application layer protocols. We then move down the network stack, considering topics such as reliable transmission and congestion control at the transport layer, routing at the network layer, and multiple access protocols at the link layer. After this discussion, the latter portion of the course will include wireless and mobile networks, queuing fundamentals, security, and network management.

A detailed list of lectures, readings, assignments, due dates (subject to change as the semester evolves) is available on the course schedule.

There are two mandatory books for this course:

• James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, ISBN: 0-321-49770-8.
• Michael J. Donahoo and Kenneth L. Calvert, TCP/IP Sockets in C: Practical Guide for Programmers, ISBN: 978-1-55860-826-9.

Grading

Students will be evaluated based on the following breakdown:

• 15% Homework
• 20% Projects
• 25% Midterm
• 35% Final
• 5% Class Participation

Exam

The course will include one evening midterm and one final exam. Students will be responsible for material covered both in the text AND lectures. Attendance is therefore recommended as not all class discussions will be covered in the text.

Homework and Projects

This course will consist of five homework and three programming projects. Hard copies of homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. Projects must be written in the C programming language and submitted via email to the TA as a single tarfile by 5:00 on the due date. See the lateness policy below.

Class Participation

To do well in this course, students must take active and regular roles in discussion and demonstrate comprehension of the papers and research themes. This will be closely monitored by Professor Traynor.

Lateness Policy

Assignments and project milestones are assessed a 15% per-day late penalty, with a maximum of 4 days. Unless the problem is apocalyptic, don't give me excuses. Students with legitimate reasons who contact the professor before the deadline may apply for an extension.

Academic Integrity Policy

Students are required to follow the university guidelines on academic conduct at all times. Students failing to meet these standards will be reported to the Office of Student Integrity, which can result in the student receiving an 'F' for the semester. Note that students are explicitly forbidden from copying anything off of the Internet (e.g., source code, text, slides), using anything from an answer guide, or copying code/answers from each other for the purposes of completing any assignment or a course project.