Course Overview
This course presents the concepts and fundamental design principles of computer networks and Internet that have contributed to the modern networks technologies. It will also present an overview of new trends in networks and Internet/Intranet with design of real campus networks. Topics include design principles for network topology and optimization of network elements. Design of network architecture is also covered, including the fundamentals of Internet applications (HTTP, FTP, DNS), TCP and UDP protocols and implementations, congestion control and traffic engineering, multimedia networking, and security in computer networks
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for this course are CS231, TC535 or consent of instructor. Students should have basic level of knowledge of computer networks and thus will spend only a small fraction of lecture time reviewing introductory material
Learning Objectives
Students who successfully finish this course should have the fundamental knowledge of principles of design and implementation of computer networks. They should be familiar with latest network technologies, as well as their performances and limitations.
Methods of Instruction
The method of instruction includes both face-to-face and web-based components: The face-to-face component includes
lectures that are typically used for presenting new material; a variety of teaching approaches are used in the lectures, including traditional problem solving on the blackboard, PowerPoint slide presentations, video, interactive learning with Personal Response Systems;
Discussions of exercises, homework and reviews for exam and projects;
Laboratory sessions for initial tutorials in the software environment (e.g. how to edit, compile, run programs in a specific Integrated Development Environment), or work with technologies not available on an individual basis, (e.g. hand, signature, fingerprint recognition in the biometrics lab).
Teamwork on projects and in-class presentation and discussion of the project results.
The web-based component is managed through a course companion web site in CourseInfo that includes
lecture notes,
references, library and other institutional resources, links to Internet resources;
homework assignments and solutions;
on-line homework submission;
grade management: remote private access to grading information for the student, spreadsheets and grade statistic functions for the instructor;
a wealth of communication types: chat (individual or groups), threaded discussion, e-mail (individual or groups), bulleting board;
Evaluation and Grading
Evaluation and grading in this course consist of several components: exams, homework, quizzes, laboratory exercises and a final project and presentation. The final grade is assigned based on the following distribution:
Homework - 10 %
In-class-quizzes - 5 %
Labs 10%
Project + Presentation 25 %
Midterm Exam 25 %
Final Exam 25 %
Extra credit is given for in-class participation
Academic Honesty
The course is governed by the Boston University Academic Conduct Committee policies regarding plagiarism. This includes copying (even with modifications) of a program or segment of code. You can discuss general ideas with other students, but the work you submit must be your own.
Instructor Information
Lubomir Todorov-Citkusev, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Computer Science Department
Metropolitan College, Room 250
Boston University
808 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-353-6771; fax: 617-353-2367
E-mail: LTC@bu.edu
Lab
Laboratory exercises based on OPNET simulation tool have to be successfully completed in this class. Some of the classes will meet in the Computer Science Telecommunication Lab (Lab 2) at MET Computer Science department at 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Rm-250.
MET College operates four pc laboratories as a resource for our students and faculty. The laboratories include 64 PC's running Windows 2000, Linux or UNIX. Each lab has a LaserJet networked printer, scanner and LCD projector. The computer labs hours are:
Fall and Spring Semester: Daily: 10:00am to 11:00pm
Summer Term: Mon-Thu: 4:00 to 10:00pm, Fri-Sun: 12:00 to 6:00pm
Homework
Project:
Students will develop a 10-15 page case study on one of the networking topics to be given by the instructor. The emphasis will be on how the technology can be used in
real campus networks or internet. Students will give a presentation on the topic.
Presentation time-limit will be decided in the class. Topics are Streaming Audio/Video, RTSP, RTP, SIP, H.323, Scheduling and policing mechanism (Integrated Services, RSVP, DiffServ), Network security (Internet Commerce, Secure E-mail, VPN, cryptography, Keys, Firewalls), Network Application Programs (WWW, HTTP, E-mail, DNS).
References
Required Textbooks
James F. Kurose, Keith W. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach
Featuring the Internet, Addison Wesley, 2000
Optional Textbooks
Applied Operating System Concepts, First Edition by Abraham Silberschatz,
Peter Galvin and Greg Gagne, ISBN: 0-471-26314-1.
Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment by W. Richard Stevens,
ISBN: 0201563177.
Schedule
W 01/16: Administrative. Course Overview. Computer Networks and the Internet. Readings: Ch. 1
W 01/23: Application Layer. HTTP, FTP, SMTP Readings: Ch. 2
W 01/30: Application Layer. Socket programming with TCP, UDP, Building Web Servers. Readings: Ch. 2
W 02/06: Transport Layer. Multiplexing/Demultiplexing Applications, UDP, TCP, Readings: Ch. 3
Chapter 6 LAN hardware, LAN media, interoperability
W 02/20: Network Layer. Routing. Internet Protocol, Routers, Ipv6. Readings: Ch. 4
W 02/27: Link Layer, Error Detection and Correction, LAN Readings: Ch. 5
03/02 ? 03/10 Spring Recess
W 03/13: Midterm Exam
W 03/20: Link Layer. Ethernet, IEEE 802.11, PPP, ATM, X.25 and Frame Relay Readings: Ch. 5
W 03/27: Multimedia Networking. Streaming Audio and Video., Internet Telephony, VoIP, Integrated Services, RSVP, Differentiated Services. Readings: Ch. 6.
W 04/03: Security in Computer Networks. Cryptography. Authentication. E-commerce Readings: Ch. 7.
W 04/10: Network Management. SNMP. Firewalls. Readings: Ch. 8.
W 04/17: No 635 Class due to substitution of Monday schedule of classes
W 04/24: Network Performance and QoS. Final Review.
T 05/01: Group Project Paper and Presentations.
T 05/08: Final Examination.
