Syllabus for CSC 8560 – Computer Networks

 

 

Instructor

Mirela Damian, MSC 167A

Email: firstname [dot] lastname [at] villanova [dot] edu
Phone: (610)519-7414

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

Readings

Wk 1: Aug. 27

Course Overview.

Ch. 1.3

Wk 2: Sep. 10

Link Layer (Frames). Labs 01, 03.

Ch. 2.5-2.6, 3.1

Wk 3: Sep. 17

Network Layer (Packets). Lab 05.

Ch. 3.2, 3.4, 4.1.3

Wk 4: Sep. 24

Transport Layer (Sessions). Lab 10.

Ch. 5.1 - 5.2, 6.1 - 6.4

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

Ch. 3.2.9, 8.5

Oct. 15 – 21

Fall Break – ENJOY !

Wk 7:  Oct. 22

Routing. Labs 06, 07, 08.

Ch. 3.3, 4.1

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.

Ch. 7.2, 9.2.2, 4.2

Wk 11: Nov. 19

Overlay and Peer-to-Peer Networks.

Ch. 9.4.1, 9.4.2

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.