CSc 525 -- Principles of Computer Networking, Fall 2008

Syllabus

Contents

This is a graduate course that explores the principles of computer networking by focusing on the TCP/IP protocol suite as well as the Internet architecture and infrastructure design. Topics to be covered include: Internet architecture and layering, intra-domain and inter-domain routing protocols, multicast, congestion control, network QoS, DNS, HTTP, peer-to-peer and overlay networks.

Lectures will be based on selected technical papers. Students are expected to attend classes, read papers, write reading reports, and finish projects. There will be a midterm exam and a final exam.

Prerequisites

  • Basic understanding of packet switched networks and TCP/IP protocol suite
  • C/C++ on Unix platform
  • CSc 425 or equivalent

    Reading Assignments

    We're going to discuss 2-4 papers each week.

    Besides carefully reading the papers, you pick one paper each week to write a reading report about it. The report should have the following two sections:

  • Summary: What is the context and problem statement? What new architecture, protocol or perspective are the authors proposing? Briefly describe how it works. How did the authors evaluate the proposal?
  • Discussion: What're the assumptions of the paper? What're its strong points? What're its weak points? How may the paper be improved? What could be the next step of the work? Why do you pick this paper? What have you learned from it? What do you agree/disagree with the authors?

    In writing the report, you should

  • Use your own words. DO NOT copy from the paper or other sources.
  • Be articulate and critical.
  • Use 11pt fonts, single column, single space.
  • At least 500 words, at most one page, no exception.
  • Submit a hard copy, due on Monday before class.

    Exams

    There will be two exams. The first exam covers the first half of the semester and the second exam covers the second half of the semester.

    Projects

    The class project is to implement a virtual software router that can handle real traffic. Students may work alone or in teams of two people. More information about the project will be posted later.

    Grading

    Project-1 (15%), Project-2 (25%), First Exam (20%), Second Exam (25%), Reading Reports (15%).

    Mailing List

    Everyone is expected to join the class mailling list, csc525-fall08@listserv.arizona.edu. See http://listserv.arizona.edu/ for how to subscribe and unsubscribe.

    Questions of a general nature should be sent to the mailling list. Questions specific to your own work should be sent to the instructor directly.

    Textbooks

    There is no required textbook. The following books are recommended:
    Computer Networks, A Systems Aproach (3rd Edition), by Larry Peterson et. al.
    Routing in the Internet (2nd Edition), by Christian Huitema

    Policies

    Late submissions (e.g., reading report, project report, code etc.) will NOT be accepted. Partial credit will be given to works that are incomplete but submitted on time.

    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://web.arizona.edu/~studpubs/policies/cacaint.htm for details.