Textbooks

The required textbook for this course is Computer Networks: A Systems Approach (6th edition) by Peterson and Davie. Earlier editions are also acceptable, but the reading assignments will use section numbers from the 6th (online) 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 discussions.

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.

Grading

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:

  • 5% Homework
  • 40% Programming projects
  • 25% Midterm
  • 30% Final

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 from the instructor as soon as practical.

Schedule

Date Topics Notes Readings
Fri 09/27 Class overview
[pdf]
Mon 09/30 Layers & Framing
[pdf]
HW 1 out 1.3, 2.3
Wed 10/02 Error handling
[pdf]
Project 1a out 2.4
Fri 10/04 Reliable transmission
[pdf]
1.5, 2.5
Mon 10/07 Flow Control
[pdf]
2.5, 5-5.2 (through Conn. Est. & Term.)
Wed 10/09 Transmission Control Protocol
[pdf]
HW 1 due 6.3-4
Fri 10/11 Discussion (Lecture cancelled)
Mon 10/14 TCP Congestion Control
[pdf]
HW 2 out 6.3-4
Wed 10/16 Bridging
[pdf]
Project 1a due/1b out 3-3.1
Fri 10/18 From Networks to Internetworks
[pdf]
3.2
Mon 10/21 Internetworking
[pdf]
3.3
Wed 10/23 Addressing
[pdf]
HW 2 due 3.3 (Global Addresses)
Fri 10/25 IPv6
[pdf]
3.3.4 (Forwarding), 4.2
Mon 10/28 IPv6 (really) & Naming
[pdf]
3.3.7 (DHCP), 9.3 (DNS)
Wed 10/30 Naming (cont)
[pdf]
Project 1b due 3.3.6 (ARP), 9.3 (DNS)
Fri 11/01 Link-state Routing
[pdf]
3.4 (Link State)
Mon 11/04 Midterm
HW 3 out
Wed 11/06 Distance-vector routing
[pdf]
Project 2a out 3.4 (Distance-Vector)
Fri 11/08 Interdomain routing
[pdf]
4.1
Mon 11/11 Veterans Day
Wed 11/13 Border Gateway Protocol
[pdf]
HW 3 due 4.1 (BGP)
Fri 11/15 Router design
[pdf]
3.5
Mon 11/18 Buffering and Scheduling
[pdf]
HW 4 out 6.1
Wed 11/20 Traffic Management
[pdf]
Project 2a due/2b out 6.2
Fri 11/22 Links and signaling
[pdf]
2.1
Mon 11/25 Modulation
[pdf]
2.2
Wed 11/27 Class cancelled
HW 4 due
Fri 11/29 Thanksgiving
Mon 12/02 Media Access Control
[pdf]
2.6
Wed 12/04 Ethernet
[pdf]
Project 2b due 2.6
Fri 12/06 802.11
[pdf]
2.7
Fri 12/13 Final Exam (8:00-11:00am)

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