Textbooks

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

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:

  • 20% Homework
  • 40% Programming projects
  • 20% Midterm
  • 20% Final

Final grades will be curved.

All assignments (Project & Homework) will be accepted up to 24 hours late with no penalty. Exceptions beyond that 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
Mon 04/03 Class overview
[pdf]
Wed 04/05 Layers & Framing
[pdf]
Discussion section - Reviewing C-programming 1.3, 2.3
Fri 04/07 Framing and error handling
[pdf]
Project 1 out 2.4
Mon 04/10 Transport Layer
[pdf]
HW 1 out 2.5
Wed 04/12 Transport Layer (cont.)
[pdf]
6.1-6.3
Fri 04/14 Transport Layer (cont)
[pdf]
5-5.2
Mon 04/17 Transport Layer Protocols
[pdf]
Project 1 due 5-5.2
Wed 04/19 Networks of links
[pdf]
HW 1 due 3-3.3
Fri 04/21 Networks of links (cont.)
[pdf]
HW 2 out 3.3
Mon 04/24 IP Protocol
[pdf]
3.3
Wed 04/26 Internet Addressing
[pdf]
Project 2 due 3.3
Fri 04/28 Routing, IPv6, and ICMP
[pdf]
HW 2 due 3.4
Mon 05/01 Discovering Addresses
[pdf]
9.3, 3.3 (DHCP,ARP)
Wed 05/03 Naming, NAT, and Intro Routing
[pdf]
Project 3 out 3.4
Fri 05/05 Midterm Exam (in class)
On all topics before routing None
Mon 05/08 Link-state routing
[pdf]
HW 3 out 3.4
Wed 05/10 More intra-domain roaming
[pdf]
4.1
Fri 05/12 Interdomain routing
[pdf]
4.1
Mon 05/15 Border Gateway Protocol.
[pdf]
HW 3 due 4.1
Wed 05/17 BGP and Router design
[pdf]
Project 3 due 4.1
Fri 05/19 Router design
[pdf]
Project 4 out 3.4
Mon 05/22 Router design (cont.)
[pdf]
HW 4 out 3.4
Wed 05/24 Buffering and Scheduling
[pdf]
6.2, 6.5
Fri 05/26 Error handling
[pdf]
1.5, 2.5
Mon 05/29 No class: Memorial day holiday
Wed 05/31 Error handling (cont.)
[pdf]
HW 4 due 1.5, 2.5
Fri 06/02 Links for Signaling
[pdf]
Project 4 due 2.6
Mon 06/05 Clock Recovery and Modulation
[pdf]
2.7
Wed 06/07 Clock recovery
[pdf]
2.7
Fri 06/09 Media Access Control
[pdf]
None
Thu 06/15 Final Exam (Center 105) 11:30am-02:30pm

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