Textbooks

The required textbook for this course is Computer Networks: A Systems Approach (7th edition) by Peterson and Davie. Note this is a new edition with substantial revisions; previous offerings of this course used an older version. While each lecture is 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
  • 20% Programming projects
  • 35% Midterm
  • 40% 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 09/25 Class overview
[pdf]
Mon 09/28 Architecture
[pdf]
Project 1a out 1-1.4
Wed 09/30 Error handling
[pdf]
HW 1 out 1.5, 3.1.3
Fri 10/02 Reliable transmission
[pdf]
12-12.1
Mon 10/05 Flow control
[pdf]
12.4
Wed 10/07 Transmission Control Protocol
[pdf]
HW 1 due 12.2-3
Fri 10/09 TCP Congestion control
[pdf]
13-13.2
Mon 10/12 Packet switching
[pdf]
Project 1a due/1b out 3.2
Wed 10/14 Internetworking
[pdf]
HW 2 out 6-6.2.1
Fri 10/16 IP addressing
[pdf]
6.2.2 & 6.3.1
Mon 10/19 Forwarding and ARP
6.2.3-4
Wed 10/21 IPv6 and NAT
HW 2 due 6.3.2-3
Fri 10/23 Network applications
2
Mon 10/26 Naming
Project 1b due 11-11.1 (DNS), 10.2 (DHCP)
Wed 10/28 Midterm
Fri 10/30 Links and signaling
3-3.1
Mon 11/02 Modulation and framing
Project 2a out 3.1.1-2
Wed 11/04 Buffering and scheduling
HW 3 out 8-8.1
Fri 11/06 Traffic management
8.2-8.3
Mon 11/09 Routing & Spanning Tree Protocol
4-4.2
Wed 11/11 Veterans Day
HW 3 due
Fri 11/13 Link-state routing
4.3
Mon 11/16 Distance-vector routing
Project 2a due/2b out 4.4
Wed 11/18 Interdomain routing
HW 4 out 7-7.1
Fri 11/20 Lecture cancelled
Mon 11/23 Border Gateway Protocol
7.2-7.2.1
Wed 11/25 Class cancelled
HW 4 due
Fri 11/27 Thanksgiving
Mon 11/30 Media Access Control
Project 2b due 5-5.1
Wed 12/02 Channelization
5.2
Fri 12/04 WiFi
5.3
Fri 12/11 Final Exam (8:00-11:00am)

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