Syllabus
for CSC 8560 – Computer Networks
Instructor |
Mirela Damian, MSC 167A
Email:
firstname [dot] lastname [at] villanova [dot] edu |
Office Hours |
M 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm W
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm |
Course Meets |
M 6:15 pm -
9:00 pm in Jbarry 201B |
Prerequisites |
Systems
(2400, 8410), Algorithms (8301) |
Course
Description
This
course introduces the underlying principles of computer networks, with an
emphasis on protocols and communication and their role in the Internet. The
course starts with a brief overview of physical network hardware and continues
to build functionality on top of it. The emphasis is on the upper three TCP/IP
layers: network, transport and application. At the end of this course students
should have general knowledge on how the Internet works and have basic network
programming skills.
Learning
Outcomes:
1. Demonstrate an understanding
of network architecture concepts, the OSI reference model and the TCP/IP
architecture.
2. Demonstrate
proficiency in analyzing LAN technologies (including Ethernet, Token Ring,
ATM-based LANs and wireless LANs).
3. Demonstrate an
understanding of the basic principles of error, flow, and congestion control at
various levels of the protocol stack.
4. Differentiate
between main interconnecting technologies (including hubs, bridges, switches,
routers) in terms of cost, functionality and performance.
5. Differentiate
between circuit-switching and packet-switching technologies.
6. Demonstrate
proficiency in analyzing and verifying communication protocols (such as IP,
IPv6, ICMP, UDP and TCP).
7. Demonstrate an
understanding of routing principles and algorithms, and routing protocols used
on the Internet (RIP, OSPF, and BGP).
8. Demonstrate an
understanding of application-layer protocols (DNS, SMTP, FTP, HTTP) and their
interaction with underlying services.
9. Demonstrate
proficiency in network programming in C and Java.
10. Establish a
thorough understanding of network-related security threats and solutions.
Resources
The
textbook for this class is
Larry Peterson and Bruce Davie
Computer Networks -- A system's
Approach, 5th edition (Watch the YouTube video about the
book)
Morgan Kaufmann, ISBN: 9780123850591
Course-related
resources (in electronic form, access free with textbook purchase):
Network Simulation Lab Manual
OPNET
Software (Academic Edition)
NET-SEAL
(Simulation Experiments and Animation Library)
Other
course material will be posted online at
http://www.csc.villanova.edu/~mdamian/CSC8560.html
Please
make sure you check the class page regularly.
Course Requirements
1. Assignments: weekly
2. Labs. The textbook comes with a lab manual containing 15 OpNet labs
(the OpNet software comes for free with textbook purchase). Each student will
select one lab to complete and demonstrate it to the instructor. Labs will be
assigned first come, first served.
Students will also complete one hands-on
lab in the networks lab to get some experience with real equipment.
3. Research Project: Teams of 2-3 students will
select a networks topic not covered in class, and present it to their peers in
the final weeks of the semester.
4. Two exams. The exams will be closed books, closed
notes. However, you are allowed to bring one sheet of paper (letter size) with
any information you think will help you during the exam. Please note that notes may not be shared during the exam.
5. Class Attendance. Regular attendance is expected of all
students. Each student is responsible for all material, announcements, and assignments
covered during any class missed.
6. Late Policy. All assignments
are due at the beginning of the class on the due date. No credit will be given
to late assignments. Exceptions will be granted only in extraordinary
circumstances.
Tentative Grading
Procedure
The
following allocation of points is tentative and may change during the semester:
Exams: |
40% |
Assignments: |
45% |
Research
project: |
15% |
Academic
Integrity
I
encourage you to collaborate on assignments and learn from your fellow
students. However, there is a fine line between collaboration and cheating.
Collaboration means discussing problems and solution approaches with other
students and independently writing your own answers; cheating means copying
solutions from someone else or giving someone else your solutions. If you have
questions about what is acceptable, please bring them to me before
submitting your work.
Cheating, plagiarism and helping others commit
these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and will not be tolerated.
Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but
is not limited to, suspension or dismissal. To read the entire Code on
Academic Integrity, consult
http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/artsci/current_students/undergrad/integrity.html
Special
Arrangements
If
anyone has a disability or other problems that warrant the need for special
accommodation to complete the course work, please contact me at your earliest
convenience.
Tentative Course
Schedule
The
course schedule below is approximate and subject to change as the semester
progresses. It is the responsibility of the student to learn and adjust to
changes. Please read chapter material to
be covered prior to each session.
Date |
Topic |
|
Wk
1: Aug. 27 |
Course
Overview. |
|
Wk
2: Sep. 10 |
Link
Layer (Frames). Labs 01, 03. |
|
Wk
3: Sep. 17 |
Network
Layer (Packets). Lab 05. |
|
Wk
4: Sep. 24 |
Transport
Layer (Sessions). Lab 10. |
|
Wk
5: Oct. 1 |
Translating
Addresses (DNS, DHCP, ARP). |
Ch.
3.2.6, 3.2.7, 9.3.1 |
Wk
6: Oct. 8 |
Middleboxes.
Lab 13. Exam 1 |
|
Oct. 15 – 21 |
Fall Break – ENJOY !
|
|
Wk
7: Oct. 22 |
Routing.
Labs 06, 07, 08. |
|
Wk
8: Oct. 29 |
Host
Mobility. Lab 09. |
Ch.
2.7, 4.4 |
Wk
9: Nov. 5 |
Content
Distribution Networks. |
Ch.
9.4.3 |
Wk
10: Nov. 12 |
Multimedia
streaming. Lab 15. |
|
Wk
11: Nov. 19 |
Overlay
and Peer-to-Peer Networks. |
|
Nov. 20 – 25 |
Thanksgiving Recess – ENJOY !
|
|
Wk
12: Nov. 26 |
Network
Security.
Exam 2 |
Ch.
8, 9.1.1 |
Wk
13: Nov. 26 |
Research
Project Presentations. |
|
Wk
14: Dec. 3 |
||
Monday,
Dec 17 |
Final exam period (6:00 – 8:30 pm) will be used
for research presentations. |