Class Syllabus

Topics:

Introduction to the evolution, technological basis, and services of the Internet, with descriptions of its underlying communications structure and protocols (Layers 1-5 of the TCP/IP Stack).  We will take a look at  HTTP, mail, DNS, TCP/IP,  basic routing algorithms, IP addressing, wireless and wired LANs, binary and decimal numbering systems, data compression issues and digital images,  and physical communication links.   As time allows, various current event topics related to today's Internet, such as net neutrality, fake news and targeted advertising, will also be covered. Students who have completed course CMPE150 cannot receive credit for this course.

Grading:

Attend 7/10 Sections OR topic paper:  5%

10 Weekly Quizzes:    40%   (Fridays) 

Weekly Homework:   15% 

Networking Project:     5%

Final Exam:                  35%

Grading is on the standard 90-80-70-60 (A-B-C-D) scale.

Quiz evaluation will use the best 8 out of 10 quizzes (i.e. the lowest quiz is dropped).  There are absolutely no makeup quizzes for any reason whatsoever.  If you miss a quiz that is ok - you do not need to tell me and it will be automatically counted as one that is dropped from your grade calculation.  

Weekly homework assignments are submitted either online or on paper (see instructions weekly) and graded by the class readers.   Your best effort on homework is crucial to preparation for weekly quizzes.   In addition to material presented in lecture, the TAs are available to help you with the assignments in Section and the exercises are invaluable to help prepare for the quizzes. Please get help if you need it!  Many resources are available to insure success in this class:  supplemental readings are posted each week, 4 days of Section weekly with amazing TAs, small group tutoring, my office hours and the online Piazza forum to post questions and receive answers.

The weekly reading assignments are also greatly helpful for quiz preparation as well as reinforcement of topics covered during lecture.

Section:  If you do not want to attend section, you can talk to me about writing a paper on a topic, related to the Internet, of your interest.  I really want to emphasize that the paper should be of interest to you - you pick the topic, just run it by me first.  Length should be a few pages and use several sources that you trust. The paper must be submitted by May 11, 2018 (end of Week 6) for credit.  There are absolutely no extensions.

Class Resources:

  • The text we will use primarily is Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach by Kurose and Ross, 6th edition.  There are copies of this text and also copies of Computer Networks by Tannenbaum and The TCP/IP Guide by Kozierok on reserve in the Science library.   5th edition or even 7th will also be ok.
    • You are not required to purchase this book.  I will use slides in class and the TAs will have information as well.  Some of the slides are taken from the Kurose book.
    • LInks to other excellent resources will be posted weekly as we procede through the course topics.
  • You might also consider several Networking Sections of Wikipedia in addition to our class text. I will give pointers to those.
  • We will use a few sections and videos from Khan Academy.
  • Several other sites of interest as we move through our time together

Rough outline (subject to change):

Week 1:      Introductions, decimal/binary/hexadecimal numbers, bitwise operation, TCP/IP protocol stack,

                     Homework and Quiz 1

Week 2:      Application Layer (HTTP, cookies, mail), Homework  and Quiz 2

Week 3:       Application Layer: DNS, Transport Layer: Reliable Data Transfer, ARQ Protocols,  Homework and Quiz 3

Week 4:       Transport Layer: TCP and UDP,  Homework and Quiz 4

Week 5:       Transport Layer: TCP,  Network Layer:  IP addressing,  Homework and Quiz 5

Week 6:       Network Layer: IP addressing, subnetting, Homework and Quiz 6

Week 7:       Network Layer:  Autonomous Systems, routing ,  Homework and  Quiz 7

Week 8:       Network Layer:  IP forwarding,  Link Layer:  LANs,  Ethernet, Homework and Quiz 8 

Week 9:       Link Layer:   LANs, Direct Delivery, wireless networks,  Direct Delivery,  Homework and Quiz 9

Week 10:     Link layer switches, Learning Bridge,  Homework and Quiz  10

Weekly Action Items:

  • Labs/Homework:   Labs and homework will be due on Friday at the beginning of class.    
  • Weekly Quizzes:   Weekly quizzes are given during the last half of class on Fridays.  See Grading section for quiz policy.
  • Final Exam:  Tuesday,  June 12, 2018    7:30 - 10pm