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. Note that this book is available online for free from UCSD networks at the following link
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 3 or 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 9/23 | Class overview [pdf] |
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| Mon 9/26 | Links and signaling [pdf] |
1-2.2 | |
| Wed 9/28 | Modulation [pdf] |
2.2 | |
| Fri 9/30 | Layers & Framing [pdf] |
HW1 out, Project 1 out | 2.3 |
| Mon 10/3 | Error handling [pdf] |
2.4 | |
| Wed 10/5 | (no class) |
||
| Fri 10/7 | Reliable transmission (Alex Snoeren guest lecture) [pdf] |
2.5 | |
| Mon 10/10 | Sliding Windows (Geoff Voelker guest lecture) [pdf] |
HW 1 due | |
| Wed 10/12 | (no class) |
||
| Fri 10/14 | Media Access Control [pdf] |
2.6 | |
| Mon 10/17 | Bridging and Switching [pdf] |
3-3.1 | |
| Wed 10/19 | Internetworking [pdf] |
HW 2 out | |
| Fri 10/21 | Fragmentation & Addressing [pdf] |
3.2-3.2.4 | |
| Mon 10/24 | Aggregation [pdf] |
3.2.5 | |
| Wed 10/26 | Naming [pdf] |
HW2 due, Project 1 due | 3.2.6, 9.3.1 |
| Fri 10/28 | Midterm Exam |
||
| Mon 10/31 | Link-state Routing [pdf] |
3-3.3.1, 3.3.3 | |
| Wed 11/2 | Distance-vector routing [pdf] |
Project 2 out | 3.3.2 |
| Fri 11/4 | Interdomain routing [pdf] |
4.1-4.1.2 | |
| Mon 11/7 | Router design [pdf] |
3.4 | |
| Wed 11/9 | Multicast [pdf] |
4.2 | |
| Fri 11/11 | (no class - veterans day) |
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| Mon 11/14 | Transport protocols [pdf] |
HW 3 out | 5.1-2 |
| Wed 11/16 | Congestion control [pdf] |
6.3-4 | |
| Fri 11/18 | TCP & NAT [pdf] |
Sidebar p.335 | |
| Mon 11/21 | Buffering and Scheduling [pdf] |
HW3 due, HW4 out | 6.2, 6.5 |
| Wed 11/23 | (no class -- enjoy thanksgiving week) |
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| Fri 11/25 | (no class -- thanksgiving) |
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| Mon 11/28 | Scheduling and QoS [pdf] |
Project 2 due | |
| Wed 11/30 | 802.11 [pdf] |
2.7 | |
| Fri 12/2 | Network security [pdf] |
HW4 due | |
| Fri 12/9 | Final Exam (8:00-11:00am) |