CSCI 445 Computer Communication Networks
by Hui Chen, Ph.D.

Overview

This is an undergraduate and graduate combined computer networking class that cover a wide range of topics in computer networking. It consists of lectures, labs, and various assigments.

Syllabus

You may download the CSCI 445 Syllabus or CSCI 545 Syllabus in PDF file.

Textbook

Larry L. Peterson and Bruce S. Davie, Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, 5th Ed., Morgan Kaufmann, 2011. ISBN-10: 0123850592. ISBN-13: 978-0123850591.

Reference Books

Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks, 5th Ed. Prentice Hall PTR, Saddle River, New Jersey 07458, USA, 2010, ISBN-10: 0132126958, ISBN-13: 978 -0132126953.

James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 5th Ed., Addison Wesley, 2009, ISBN: 0-13-607967-9

Class Schedule and Material

  1. 08/15 Fundamentals: Concepts

    Assignment:

    Read Sections 1.1 - 1.3 of the textbook and An early history of the internet

  2. 08/17 - 08/22 Fundamentals: Bandwidth and Latency

    Assignment:

    Read Section 1.5 of the textbook and complete Exercises L2-1, L2-2, and L2-3

  3. 08/25 Encoding and Framing

    Note: Among the encoding schemes, the NRZ, NRZI, and Machester encodings will not discussed in class; however, you are required to study them on your own, and the content may appear in the midterm and final exams.

    Assignment:

    Read Sections 2.1 - 2.3 of the textbook and complete Exercises L3-1, L3-2, and L3-3

    Programming Assignment:

    See Programming Assignment 1 (Due 09/05/2016 in Blackboard)

  4. 08/29 - 08/31 Error Detection

    Assignment:

    Read Section 2.4 of the textbook and complete Exercises L4-1 and L4-2

  5. 09/05 Labor Day Holiday

  6. 09/07 - 09/12 Reliable Transmission and Examples in Point-to-Point Networks

    Reading:

    Read Sections 2.5 of the textbook

    Assignment:

    Exercises L5-1 and L5-2

    Programming Assignment:

    See Programming Assignment 2 (Due 09/19/2016 in Blackboard)

  7. 09/14 - 09/19 Media Access Control and Examples in Multiple-Access Networks

    Reading:

    Read Sections 2.6 of the textbook and Chapter 4 The Medium Access Control Sublayer of in Reference book Tanenbaum 2010

    Assignment:

    Exercises L6-1 and L6-2

    Programming Assignment:

    Programming Assignment 3(Question 48(a) in Chapter 2) (Due 09/30 in Blackboard)

  8. 09/21 Socket Programming with Ethernet

    Resources:

    Debian Virtual Machine Image at Dropbox.com;
    Setting Up Virtual Machines

    Reading:

    Read section 1.4 of the textbook and and check out Beej's Guide to Network Programming by Brian Hall.

    Assignment:

    Lab 1
    Programming Assignment 4

  9. 09/26 Packet Switching

    Reading:

    Read section 3.1.1 - 3.1.3 of the textbook

    Assignment:

    Exercises L8-1, L8-2, and L8-3

  10. 09/28 Midterm Exam

  11. 10/03 - 10/04 Fall Break

  12. 10/05 - 10/10 Bridges and LAN Switches

    Reading:

    Read section 3.1.4 of the textbook

    Assignment:

    Exercises L9-1, L9-2, L9-3, and L9-4

  13. 10/12 Simple Internetworking: Concepts

    Topic: internetworking, IPv4 packet format, IPv4 classful and classless addressing, address resolution (ARP), host configuration (DHCP), error reporting (ICMP), virtual networks and tunnels

    Reading:

    Read section 3.2 of the textbook

    Assignment:

    Exercises L10-1, L10-2, L10-3, and L10-4

  14. 10/17 - 10/19 Simple Internetworking: Addressing Revisited

    Topic: Subnetting and Clasless Addressing

    Reading:

    Read section 3.2 of the textbook

    Assignment:

    Exercises L11-1 and L11-2

    Assignment:

    Lab 2 (network design and implementation using Linux virtual machines)

  15. 10/24 - 10/31 Simple Internetworking: Routing

    Topic: Intradomain routing algorithms including distance-vector (RIP) and link-state (OSPF) routing algorithms, and link costs

    Reading:

    Read section 3.3 of the textbook

    Assignment:

    Exercise L12-1, L12-2, L12-3, and L12-4

  16. 11/02 Global Internetworking: Interndomain Routing and MPLS

    Topic: Evolution of the Global Internet, interdomain routing (BGP), MPLS, virtual private networks and tunnels, and routing among mobile devices

    Reading:

    Read section 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.2 - 4.5 of the textbook;

  17. 11/07 Global Internetworking: Transition to IPv6

    Topic: Evolution of the Global Internet, IPv6, transition to IPv6, multicasting, and mobile IP

    Reading:

    Read section 4.1.3 of the textbook

    Assignment:

    Project: investigating IPv6 transition mechanisms

  18. 11/09 Labs and Homeworks

    Note:

    • This class is allocated as the time for you to work on your labs and homeoworks. You will be on your own. The instructor will answer your questions via email or in person

  19. 11/14 End-to-End Protocols

    Topic: Simple demultiplexer (UDP), reliable byte stream (TCP), and transport for real-time applications (RTP)

    Reading:

    Read sections 5.1, 5.2, and 5.4 of the textbook;

    Assignment:

    Exericse L15-1

  20. 11/16 Applications: Name Service and E-mail Services

    Topic: Name Service (DNS) and E-mail

    Reading:

    Read sections 9.3.1 and 9.1.1 of the textbook

    Assignment:

    Exercise L19-1 (on your own)

  21. 11/21 Congestion Control and Resource Allocation

    Topic: Resource allocation, queuing disciplines, TCP congestion control, congestion-avoidance mechanisms, and quality of service

    Reading:

    Read sections 6.1 - 6.5 of the textbook

    Assignment:

    TBA

  22. 11/23 - 11/27 Thanksgiving Holiday

  23. 11/28 Final Review and Overview of Selected Topics

    Topic: World Wide Web (HTTP), Web Service, content distribution networks

    Reading:

    Read sections 9.1.2, 9.1.3, and 9.4.3 of the textbook;

  24. 11/29 Reading Day (Instructor holding office hours)

  25. 11/30 Final Examination

    CSCI445/545 Final Exam:

    6:00 - 8:00PM Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at HM 14S

    Note:

    Check out the Fall 2016 Final Exam schedule

  26. 12/03 Final Grade

    Note:

    • Final grade to be posted by midnight, December 3, 2016 on Blackboard and in Banner. Any grievance must be received by the instructor by midnight, December 4, 2016.