CSc 425 -- Principles of Computer Networking, Spring 2007

Syllabus

Contents

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: layered network architecture, physical layer and data link protocols, network and transport protocols, unicast and multicast routing protocols, and applications. Examples will be drawn from the Internet TCP/IP protocol suite. The course also includes programming projects, in which students will gain hands-on experience with basic network programming and development of simple network applications.

Prerequisites

  • CSc 352 or equivalent. A good knowledge of C programming is required.

    Time and Place

  • Tue and Thu, 9:30-10:45AM, GS 906

    Required Textbook

  • Computer Networks, A Systems Aproach (3rd Edition), by Larry Peterson and Bruce Davie

    Optional Reference Book

  • UNIX Network Programming (3rd Edition) by W. Richard Stevens et. al. The best book in Unix network programming.

    Course Workload

    Students are expected to attend lectures, review lecture slides, and read the textbook. Homework will be assigned after each chapter. There will be a midterm exam, a final exam, and three programming assignments.

    Grading

    Homework (10%), Projects (35%), Midterm (25%), Final (30%)

    Maillist

    The class maillist csc425-Spring07@listserv.arizona.edu will be used for class announcements by the instructor and TA. Students should join the list. The maillist will be up during the second week of the class. See http://listserv.arizona.edu/ for how to subscribe, unsubscribe and send emails to the maillist.

    Students' questions of a general nature should also be sent to the maillist. All questions related to projects, homeworks, exams and general questions about the class should be directed there. This will benefit other students in the class as they will most likely have similar questions. All students are encouraged to participate in answering questions and providing general hints. However, it is not allowed to give out complete solutions or share code in any form.

    Questions specific to a student should be sent to the instructor or TA directly.

    Computer Account

    You will need a CS department computer account for this course. You can obtain it through the web page: http://www.cs.arizona.edu/apply. If you already have a CS department account, you still need to do the apply process to update the department database as to the courses you are taking. If you need physical access to the computer labs in Gould-Simpson, you can obtain a swipe card that will let you into the facilities; the CS computer labs are available 24/7.

    Policies

    Late submissions (e.g., homework, exams, projects) will NOT be accepted. Partial credit will be given to works that are incomplete but submitted on time.

    The dates/times for the exams are firm. Each student must be careful to present a self-contained effort during each exam, and to keep her/his exam paper from easy display. Violations will be dealt with severely, with penalties that may exceed the value of the exam.

    If grading of homeworks/exams/projects seems incorrect, you may appeal for a regrade. The request for regrade must be made within one week from the return of the exams, homeworks, or projects. You may talk with the instructor or TA about the regrade. Regrade appeals on the final exam or the last homework/project should follow the university policies

    You're encouraged to talk with your friends about the course work; both giving and receiving advice will help you learn. However, students are responsible for understanding and following the University's Code of Academic Integrity. Briefly, you will not accept solutions from other persons, you will not give solutions to others, and you will not tamper with graded papers, code, or exams. It is OK to talk among groups about algorithms and general approaches, but each group must develop and write its own code, and each person must turn in her or his own homework and exams. Refer to http://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies/ for details.