CS 372   (4 credits)
Introduction to Computer Networks
Winter 2006

Calendar        Assignments      Score Posting       Policies       Lab Schedules

Announcements:   FINAL EXAM scores and TERM GRADES are posted.

Lecture Section 1:  Gilbert 224 (Chemistry Building)         TR   14:00 - 15:20
Instructor
(contact info)

Paul D. Paulson
Office Hours
(in KEC 2061)

W  10:00 am - 3:00 pm
other times by appointment

TAs

Office/lab hours in Dearborn 205

Hema Yalamanchi (email)
Arun Puppala (email)
Prerequisites CS261, CS311, MTH231
Textbook and Lab Manual

Required:

Comer, Douglas E., Computer Networks and Internets with Internet Applications (4th edition), Pearson Prentice-Hall, 2004. ISBN 0-13-143351-2

Comer, Douglas E., Hands-on Networking with Internet Technologies (2nd edition), Pearson Prentice-Hall, 2004. ISBN 0-13-144310-0 (free with textbook)

Recommended (and free):

Hall, Brian, Beej's Guide to Network Programming: Using Internet Sockets,
http://beej.us/guide/bgnet/

Course
Learning
Objectives

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. describe the hardware devices used to create a network
  2. give examples of networking technologies, and examine the associated standards
  3. describe the essential features of a networking protocol
  4. describe various congestion control, error detection, and error correction schemes
  5. create a local area network and a model intranet by configuring networking hardware and software in a controlled laboratory environment
  6. create low-level client-server application programs using the socket API
  7. demonstrate (simulate) the processes of packet construction, packet switching, and packet deconstruction
  8. apply a route discovery algorithm to determine the shortest path in an internet represented as a weighted graph
  9. compare/contrast cable networking and wireless networking
  10. use a variety of networking services, such as DNS, NAT and ARP
  11. associate networking functions with the appropriate layers of the ISO/OSI networking layering model, and associate internetworking functions with the appropriate layers of the TCP/IP layering model
  12. describe network security issues and some of the methods for managing those issues
Academic Honesty Policy See the university, college, department, and course policies.
Obviously, compliance is expected.
Schedule Check here every week; the schedule is subject to "adjustments"
Grades

4 labs / reports @ 5%
4 homeworks @ 3%
2 programming assignments @ 8%
2 quizzes @ 8%
1 midterm exam
Final exam  (Friday, March 24, 9:30 - 11:30 am)

Final grades are based on the accumulated percentage.  See the evaluation criteria and grading scale.  Quiz, exam, and final grades may be adjusted linearly if it seems appropriate.
  • 20%
  • 12%
  • 16%
  • 16%
  • 16%
  • 20%