CS453 (Fall 2009): Computer Networks
Overview Syllabus Schedule
Overview

This course provides an introduction to fundamental concepts in the design and implementation of computer communication networks, their protocols, and applications. Topics to be covered include: overview of network architectures, applications, network programming interfaces (e.g., sockets), transport, congestion, routing, and data link protocols, addressing, local area networks, wireless networks, network security, and network management. Examples will be drawn primarily from the Internet (e.g., TCP, UDP, and IP) protocol suite. There will be four or five written assignments, two programming assignments, several hands-on labs (that can be done on any Internet-connected PC) and two exams.

This course is intended for undergraduate Computer Science and Computer Engineering majors and for MS students. PhD students or students wanting an advanced course in computer networking should take CMPSCI 653.

Instructor

V. Arun
Email:
Class: Mon-Wed 10:35am-11:50am, HASA 113
Course Mailing List: cs453 @ cs.umass.edu
Office hours: CS 236. Mon:11:50am-12:30pm, Wed: 11:50-12:30pm, and by appointment. 

Teaching Assistants

Prakhar Goyal
Email : prakhar@cs.umass.edu
Office hours: Wed 3-4pm, CMPSCI 211

Yeon-Sup Lim
Email: ylim@cs.umass.edu
Office hourse: Thu 1-2pm, CMPSCI 211

Prerequisites

A rudimentary understanding of algorithms (CMPSCI 311) and operating systems (CMPSCI 377) is required. A previous course in computer organization (e.g. CMPSCI 201) is required. You must be able to program in a structured high-level programming language, such as C, C++ or JAVA.

Course Materials

  • Text: Computer Networking: A Top Down Approach Featuring the Internet (5th ed.), J.F. Kurose and K.W. Ross, Addison-Wesley Longman.  The fifth edition of this book was published in 2009. Students having a copy of the fourth edition can get by, but please get the fifth if you intend to purchase the textbook.
  • Assigned readings from the text and the class website
  • Class Notes: Class notes (highly recommended) are posted on the class website (see the link "Schedule" above).
     

Academic Honesty

Please abide by the UMass Academic Policy. All programming assignments, homeworks and lab assigments should be done by you.

Course Work

Grading Policy: This webpage has important information about what to hand in for programming, lab and written assigments, grading scheme, and policy about late assignments.

Coursework Timing Approximate % of grade
Assigned readings Weekly  
Written homeworks 6 assignments 25%
Lab assigments 4 labs 15%
Programming assignments 2 programs 20%
Midterm Mid-semester 15%
Final End of semester 25%
Class participation All semester up to 5%

Late submissions will not be accepted.