CS453 (Spring 2011): Computer Networks
Overview Syllabus Schedule
Schedule of Classes


**Note: The schedule below is tentative and will be updated as necessary during the semester. A small number of Monday lectures on the schedule below may be substituted with make-up lectures on Friday at the same time. **

# Date Topic Assignments Due date Notes
1 01/19 Class overview: mechanics, goals.
Introduction: What is the Internet? What's a protocol?
  Intro (ppt, pdf)
Chapter 1 (ppt, pdf)
2 01/24 Introduction: network edge, network core, circuit- and packet-switching, statistical multiplexing efficiency Read text, Ch. 1  
3 01/26 Introduction: ISP networks, packet delay and loss, layering, network security, history of the Internet 

Lab 1

 
4 01/31 Application layer:  client-server vs. peer-to-peer, services used by applications HW 1   
5 02/02 *  Snow * Read text, Ch. 2
Lab 1 Chapter 2 (ppt, pdf
6 02/07 Application layer: HTTP  Lab 2
 
7 02/09 Application layer: HTTP cont'd, Web caching, FTP, SMTP, DNS
HW 1
8 02/14 Application layer: P2P
HW 2 


9 02/16 Application layer: socket programming
Programming Assignment 1 Lab 2
10 02/22 Transport layer: services, multiplexing/demultiplexing, TCP vs. UDP Read text, Ch. 3
Lab 3
Chapter 3 (ppt, pdf)
11 02/23 Transport Layer: reliable data transport
HW 3 HW 2
12
02/28
Moved to 03/04 (Friday)


13 03/02 Transport Layer: pipelined reliable data transfer protocols (GBN, SR)
Lab 3  
12 03/04 (Friday) Transport Layer: TCP case study, timeouts, flow control, connection management HW 3 
14 03/07 Transport Layer: TCP congestion control



15 03/09 Transport Layer: TCP cont'd, problem solving
 
PA 1  
Spring break
16 03/21 More problem solving practice  

17 03/23 Midterm 75 mins Samples: 1, 2, 3
Lab 4 
Chapter 4 (ppt, pdf)
18 03/28 Network Layer: introduction; virtual circuits; IP routing and forwarding; router design

Read text, Ch. 4
Programming Assignment 2
 
19 03/30
Network Layer: IP addressing, DHCP, NAT, IPv6

Lab 4 (04/01)  
20 04/04 Network Layer: Link state and distance vector routing HW 4  
21 04/06 Network Layer: interdomain routing


22 04/11 Network Layer: Protocols in operation: OSPF, RIP, BGP Read text, Ch. 5
Lab 5
Chapter 5 (ppt, pdf)
23 04/13 Link layer: introduction, CRCs, multiple access control
HW 4

PA 2 (04/15)
 
24 04/20 Link layer: CSMA/CD, Ethernet HW 5
Lab 5
25 04/25 Link layer: switching; a day in the life of a packet
Read text, Ch. 6
HW 6 (extra credit)

Chapter 6 (ppt, pdf)
26 04/27 Wireless networking

HW 5  
27 05/02 Wireless networking wrapup
Problem solving 


28 05/04 Problem solving cont'd HW 6
  05/05
Final: CMPSCI 142, 10:30am