The required textbook for this course is Computer Networks: A Systems Approach (5th edition) by Peterson and Davie. Earlier editions are also acceptable, but the reading assignments will use section numbers from the 5th edition. While each lecture will be supported by accompanying readings from the course text, the lectures may, from time to time, introduce material that is not in the textbook. You are expected to read the assigned portions of the textbook before coming to class, as they will serve as the basis for the in-class presentation.
Readings are not a substitute for lectures. You are responsible for all material covered in lecture, whether or not it appeared in any assigned readings.
This course will have roughly bi-weekly homework assignments, two substantial programming assignments, a midterm, and a final. Discussion sections will be held weekly to review the lecture material and answer questions about the readings, homeworks, and projects. Grades for this class will be based on:
Final grades will be curved.
No late assignments will be accepted. Exceptions for documented medical emergencies, death of an immediate family member, or other such life-altering situations must be requested fromt he instructor as soon as practical.
| Date | Topics | Notes | Readings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 09/27 | Class overview [pdf] |
||
| Mon 09/30 | Links and signaling [pdf] |
1-2.2 | |
| Wed 10/02 | Modulation [pdf] |
HW 1 out | 2.2 |
| Fri 10/04 | Framing [pdf] |
Project 1 out | 2.3 |
| Mon 10/07 | (no class) |
||
| Wed 10/09 | (no class) |
HW 1 due | |
| Fri 10/11 | Error handling [pdf] |
2.4 | |
| Mon 10/14 | Reliable transmission [pdf] |
2.5 | |
| Wed 10/16 | Flow & Media Access Control [pdf] |
HW 2 out | |
| Fri 10/18 | Carrier Sense Multiple Access [pdf] |
2.6 | |
| Mon 10/21 | Bridging and Switching [pdf] |
3-3.1 | |
| Wed 10/23 | Internetworking [pdf] |
HW 2 due | |
| Fri 10/25 | Fragmentation & Addressing [pdf] |
3.2-3.2.4 | |
| Mon 10/28 | Aggregation [pdf] |
3.2.5 | |
| Wed 10/30 | Naming [pdf] |
3.2.6, 9.3.1 | |
| Fri 11/01 | Router design [pdf] |
Project 1 due | 3.4 |
| Mon 11/04 | Midterm Exam |
||
| Wed 11/06 | (no class) |
||
| Fri 11/08 | Link-state Routing [pdf] |
Project 2 out | 3-3.3.1, 3.3.3 |
| Mon 11/11 | Veterans Day (no class) |
||
| Wed 11/13 | Distance-vector routing [pdf] |
HW 3 out | 3.3.2 |
| Fri 11/15 | Interdomain routing [pdf] |
4.1-4.1.2 | |
| Mon 11/18 | Border Gateway Protocol [pdf] |
4.1.2 | |
| Wed 11/20 | Multihoming & Multicast [pdf] |
HW 3 due | 4.2 |
| Fri 11/22 | Transport protocols [pdf] |
5.1-2 | |
| Mon 11/25 | Congestion control [pdf] |
6.3-4 | |
| Wed 11/27 | TCP & NAT [pdf] |
HW 4 out | Sidebar p.335 |
| Fri 11/29 | Thanksgiving Holiday (no class) |
||
| Mon 12/02 | Buffering and Scheduling [pdf] |
6.2, 6.5 | |
| Wed 12/04 | Scheduling and QoS [pdf] |
HW 4 due | 2.7 |
| Fri 12/06 | 802.11 [pdf] |
Project 2 due | |
| Wed 12/11 | Final Exam (8:00-11:00am) |
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