WPI Computer Science Department

Computer Science Department
------------------------------------------

CS 4514 - Term C, 2003
Computer Networks


Course Overview

This course introduces students to the basic principles of computer networks. Although current technologies will be discussed, the emphasis is on understanding the important issues in modern computer networks that affect design and implementation. The programming assignments require a good background in programming in C or C++ and will involve UNIX system calls.

Course Information

Lectures: AK-219, MTRF, 12:00pm - 12.50pm

Teaching Assistants:

Student Assistant:

Instructor: Prof. Emmanuel Agu, FL-139, 508-831-5568, emmanuel@cs.wpi.edu
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday: 1PM - 2PM, Thursday: 3PM - 4PM, Friday: 2PM - 3PM. Others by appointment

Text: Required: Computer Networks (fourth edition) by A.S. Tanenbaum

Recommended: UNIX Network Programming, Second Edition, by W. Richard Stevens

Academic Honesty: Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in an NR grade for the course. Discussing assignments and approaches to solving them is permitted, but the expectation is that programs turned in are work of that programming team. It is fine to find algorithms or code from publicly available sources such as a textbook or a public website. However, you must document the source clearly in your code and in your program documentation. Failure to do this will be treated as plagiarism.

Class Websites: The class website is at http://www.cs.wpi.edu/~emmanuel/courses/cs4514/. A myWPI class website has also been set up. The discussion board should be used for asking questions to avoid excessive emails and so that everyone can benefit from answers given. Emails should be used only for specific questions which are unique to you.

Class email: You have automatically been added to the class email list: cs4514@cs.wpi.edu. The TAs and I will use this mailing list to send information to the class. Please use the email list only when your question pertains only to you. Since everyone receives email sent to this alias, judicious and courteous use of this alias is expected. Inquiries which are specific to the TAs should be sent to cs4514_ta@cs.wpi.edu. The TAs will answer most of your questions. I will answer questions either policy issues or when the TAs are unable to answer your questions.

Notes:

  1. Reading is mandatory, working ahead is encouraged.
  2. Exams are based on lectures, readings and assignments so class attendance is strongly encouraged.

Grade Policy: 40% exams (2 exams), 45% programming assignments (3), and 15% written homeworks (3)

Programming Assignments

The programming assignments will be done in teams of two. In order to form a team, both partners must consent to working together. Both partners should send me email by 11.59PM on Friday, January 17th. If your partner drops the class or you would like to request a partner change, try to see me as soon as possible to avoid glitches and late assignments.

http://www.cs.wpi.edu/Help/documentation-standard.html specifies the CS Department Documentation standards. Please follow these guidelines in all your documentation. Every function or subroutine must include the author of the function. This is critical to grading team projects.

All assignments should be submitted using the turnin facility (For more info on turnin, see http://www.cs.wpi.edu/~Help/turnin.html). Please include a README file with each assignment to provide information to assist the TAs in grading your programs.

All programs turned in must compile and execute on one of the WPI Unix platforms. You are encouraged to develop your programs on WPI Unix machines because historically students have had difficulties porting their programs from other operating systems and because there will be test files available on CCC machines. Turned in programs that do not compile will not be graded and will receive a grade of 0. Points will also be deducted for programs without comments.

Late Assignment Credit

Late assignments (turned in after the start of class on the due date) will be penalized 15 percent per day. Assignments will not be accepted after the start of class on the Monday following the due date.

Schedule

Introduction (2 days)
   Topics: Introduction, uses and overview of networks (hardware and software) and reference models
   Reading: Chapter 1: 1.1 - 1.4 

Physical Layer (3 days)
   Topics: Transmission media, public telephone network, mobile telephones and cable TV
   Reading: Chapter 2: 2.1 - 2.7

Data Link Layer (4 days)
   Topics: Data link protocols, error detection and correction
   Reading: Chapter 3: 3.1 - 3.4, 3.6

Medium Access Control Sublayer (3 days)
   Topics: Multiple access protocols, ethernet, wireless LANs, bluetooth and data link switching
   Reading: Chapter 4: 4.1-4.4, 4.6-4.6.2, 4.7 - 4.7.1
   Midterm Exam: February 6

Network Layer (4 days)
   Topics: Network layer design issues, routing algorithms, congestion control
   Reading: Chapter 5: 5.1-5.3

Transport Layer (4 days)
   Topics: transport service, sockets, internet transport protocols
   Reading: Chapter 6: 6.1 - 6.2, 6.4

Application Layer (3 days)
   Topics: email, web, multimedia
   Reading: ch 12, 14.1 - 14.7
   Midterm Exam: February 27

Plus one "floating" day

Timeline

Please note that the following timeline is tentative. Look at the assignment write-up when handed out in order to confirm the due date.

Class Slides

Homework

Programming Assignments

Help Sessions

Old Exams

Past Midterm Exams
Past Final Exams
C03 Final Exams Review
  • C03 Final Exam Review   [ pdf slides ]

    Web Resources

    [Feedback] [Search Our Web] [Help & Index]

    [Return to the WPI Homepage] [Return to CS Homepage]

    mailto:webmaster@cs.wpi.edu