Networking and Beyond
Fall 2006
| Professor: | Thomas C. Bressoud | Phone: | 587-5630 |
| Office: | Olin 207 | E-mail: | bressoud@denison.edu |
| Office Hours: | See Bressoud Fall Schedule | Mailbox: | Olin 201 |
| Meeting Times: | MTWF, 9:30-10:20am | ||
| Final Exam: | F: Tuesday Dec 12, 2-4pm |
Description
This course examines the underlying concepts and technologies that make networks function. This course will study both the design issues -- hardware design as well as protocol design -- and the programming associated with computer networks.
The study of network software allows us to build, through layering, an understanding of the architecture that permits us to traverse from a high-level view of the network presented by advanced user level protocols such as HTTP, NNTP, or IMAP, and their associated client-server applications of web browsers/servers, network news servers, or email clients and servers, to the low-level reality of transferring bits across a wire or through the air.
Given an understanding of the fundamentals of networks, the second half of the semester will allow students to define a self-exploration in areas that build from this base. Tentative areas of exploration include message-based high performance computing and network security.
Textbooks
- Computer Networks, A Systems Approach, 3rd ed. by Larry Peterson and Bruce Davie
The Peterson and Davie book will be used for the first half of the semester for the portion on computer network fundamentals. Other individual texts will be used for the second half of the course and will be determined jointly with the student based on the topics and goals for each.
Grade Determination
| Midterm Tests (2): | 25% |
| Homework/Programming | 25% |
| Topic Lectures (6): | 25% |
| Project: | 25% |
Course Web Page
A web page will be maintained for this course. The web page will include the schedule for the course, all reading assignments, programming assignments, example programs, and other useful information, including announcements to the class. I expect you to check the web page regularly.
Policies and Student Responsibilities
Participation and Attendance
In general, we would like everyone to do their part to make this an enjoyable interactive experience. Hence in addition to attending class, we would like you to actively participate by asking questions, joining in our discussions, etc. In the second half of the semester, you will take on the role of instructor, and will be graded on your preparation and presentation of your subject area.Your attendance is expected at each class meeting.
Readings and In-class Material
You are responsible for the content of reading assignments, lectures and handouts, as well as announcements and schedule changes made in class, whether or not you are present. If you must miss a class, you are responsible to get what you missed.
It is very important that you keep up with the assigned reading. Read your book on a daily basis. Be especially sure to read the material in the appropriate chapter before coming to class so you will be ready to ask questions. All reading assignments are listed on the class web page. The material in the course is, by necessity, cumulative. Be warned that if you fall behind, you will not be able to catch up easily.
Exam Policy
Exams will be given in class on the day scheduled and may not be made up. On rare occasions, and with a Univeristy sanctioned excuse, I may allow an exam to be taken in advance. See me as early as possible to discuss this.
Homework Policy
There will be a number of written and programming assignments given during the semester which will be due in class on the date specified. No late homework assignments will be accepted, unless arrangements have been made with me well in advance. Since it will most likely not be obvious how long an assignment might take, you are well advised to start early. Like other classes at Denison, it is expected that you devote at least 3 hours to these assignments for each hour of class time. Homework assignments must be typed.
You may discuss homework problems with other students in the class, but written (and typed) work must be your own. In other words, you may talk about homework problems with your peers, but when it comes time to write your solutions, you are on your own. You may have general conversations about problem strategies, but you must leave these conversations without having written anything down. Keep in mind that it is quite easy for me to tell when two students have been working too closely. In such cases, I am obliged to report the instance to the Associate Provost.
Topics
- Network Architecture and Implementation Issues
- Physical Network Connections
- Packet Switching
- Internetworking
- End-to-End Protocols
- Network Programming and Analysis
- Concurrent Applications through Network Messaging
- Network Security
Disability Accomodation
Any student who thinks he or she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately as soon as possible to discuss your specific needs. I rely on the Office of Academic Support in Doane 104 to verify the need for reasonable accommodation based on documentation on file in their office.
Have a great semester! If you need anything, please let me know.