CMPEN 461: Communication Networks

Textbook Information

  • Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th ed.) Kurose, James F. and Ross, Keith W. Pearson Education: Addison-Wesley (2017). ISBN 978-0133594140.

Published Remarks

  • None

Hardware Requirements

None

Software Requirements

None

Proctored Exams

  • None

Course Description

This course introduces students to fundamental concepts and principles underlying data communication networks, with an emphasis on the Internet and its five-layer architecture: the application, transport, network, link, and physical layers. The fundamental issues to be covered include, but not limited to, reliable communication over an unreliable network layer, connection establishment/teardown and handshaking, congestion and flow control, path determination, multiple access control. The student learning these principles will gain knowledge that lasts long after today’s network standards and protocols have become obsolete.

Prerequisite:  CMPEN270

Outline

The course content is divided into the following 5 modules that we will cover in 12 weeks:

  • Module 1: Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
  • Module 2: Application Layer
  • Module 3: Transport Layer
  • Module 4: The Network Layer
  • Module 5: The Link Layer

Objectives

By the end of this course students are expected to:

  • Explain the basic protocol architecture of computer networks and the services of each layer
  • Analyze the causes of packet delay and loss
  • Explain the principles of internet applications including HTTP, DNS and email
  • Describe the client-server and P2P network paradigms
  • Implement programs using simple Web servers using TCP sockets
  • Explain the theoretical underpinnings of reliable data transfer protocols
  • Design simple reliable data transfer protocols
  • Explain the principles and operations of TCP
  • Differentiate between TCP flow control and congestion control.
  • Explain the router architecture and key concepts of IP addressing
  • Differentiate between circuit-switching and packet switching
  • Explain key routing algorithms, including LS and Distance-Vector
  • Explain data-link control, and multiple access protocols for Ethernet and LANs
  • Use WireShark to analyze Internet protocols at various layers.

Course Requirements and Grading

Grading Policy

The following weights are assigned to the different assessed components of the course:

Category Percentage
Quizzes 12%
Module Discussions 6%
Assignments 12%
Labs 20%
Exam 1 15%
Exam 2 15%
Final Exam 20%

Assignments: Assignments will be assigned to enhance your understanding of the material covered in the course. They are usually assigned on a Monday and are due by Sunday (11:59pm, US Eastern time) of the same week. Assignment may be submitted up to 24 hours late for up to 75% credit. Labs: We will have 6 labs in this course. Labs are assigned over the semester. Each lab may be submitted up to 24 hours late for up to 75% credit. Quizzes: Quizzes are short and designed to make sure your knowledge on the current topic is sufficient. They are assigned on a Monday and are due by Sunday (11:59pm, US Eastern time) of the same week. No late Quizzes will be accepted. Module Discussions: Each module will contain a number of questions that are embedded. You will need to answer these questions through the discussion board. A link to the question will be displayed in the content of the module. It is important that you answer these questions. There will not be a right or wrong answer. It will rather be a pass or fail approach for these questions. I am looking for your best attempt. Answers that are unrelated or unreasonable will not be accepted. Exams: Exams will be given over the course of the semester to encourage your ongoing attention to course material. Covered topics will be drawn largely from the lectures and assigned readings. Exam 1 will cover the material covered in weeks 1 to 4. Exam 2 will cover weeks 5 and 8, and the final exam will cover weeks 1 to 12. Assessments are based on 100 points with final letter grades being assigned as follows:

A A- B+ B B- C+ C D F
100-93 92.9-89 88.9-85 84.9-80 79.9-75 74.9-70 69.9-65 64.9-60 59.9-0