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

 Note: The schedule below is tentative and will be updated as necessary during the semester.

Class# Date Topic Handouts, Assignments Class Notes
1 09/09 Class overview: mechanics, goals.
Introduction: What is the Internet? What's a protocol?
  Intro (ppt, pdf)
Chapter 1 (ppt, pdf)
2 09/14 Introduction: network edge, the network core, circuit- and packet-switching, network access/physical media, ISP, packet delay/loss.

Read text, Ch.1

 
3 09/16 Introduction:  packet delay/loss, Layering, History of the Internet. Read text, Ch.1
HW 1
 
 
4 09/21 Application layer:  client-server vs. peer-to-peer, services used by applications, HTTP, web caching Read text, Ch. 2
Lab 1 
Chapter 2 (ppt, pdf
5 09/23 Application layer:  FTP, Email, DNS HW1 due

 
6 09/28 Application layer: P2P, socket programming HW 2

Lab 1 due

7 09/30 Transport layer: services, multiplexing/demultiplexing.

Programming Assignment 1 


Utility.java
Chapter 3(ppt, pdf)
8 10/05 Transport Layer: reliable data transfer.

Lab 2

 
9 10/07 Transport Layer: pipelined data transfer protocols (SR, GBN), TCP case study.
HW2 due

Lab 2 due (10/9)

HW 3

10 10/13
Transport Layer: flow control, connection management, congestion control.


 
Chapter 4 (ppt, pdf)
11 10/14 Transport Layer: flow control, connection management, congestion control.
HW3 due 

PA1 due (10/18)

 
12 10/21
Network Layer: introduction, router internals; IP format & addressing; NAT; tunneling.

 
HW 4

13 10/26 Network Layer: Link state routing

14 10/28 Problem solving
 

HW 4 due
 
15 11/02 Midterm: 80 mins, in-class, closed book


Samples: 1, 2, 3, 4

Lab 3
 
16 11/04 Network Layer: Distance vector routing, interdomain routing, protocols in operation: OSPF, RIP, BGP


Programming Assignment 2
 
17 11/09 Network Layer: Internet routing (cont'd), broadcast protocols. Lab 3 due

Lab 4
 
18 11/16 Link Layer: introduction, error detection, MAC protocols HW 5 Chapter 5 (ppt, pdf)
19 11/18 Link Layer: CSMA/CD

Lab 4 due
 
20 11/23 Link Layer: CSMA/CD, hubs and switches



 
21 11/25 Wireless Networking: introduction, CDMA, 802.11 PA2 due

HW 5 due

HW 6 
Chapter 6(ppt, pdf)
22 11/30 Wireless Networking: cellular, mobility

 
24 12/02 Network Security: introductioncryptographic authentication, integrity, confidentiality

PA2 extra credit portion due (12/04)
 
24 12/07 Network Security: key distribution and certification, security in operation: firewalls, protocol vulnerabilities HW 6 due

HW 7
(extra credit)
 
25  12/09 Problem solving   
Chapter 8(ppt, pdf)
26   Problem solving HW7 due  



   
 
Final: 10:30am in CMPSCI Room 142, 120 mins, closed-book