Semester:
Instructor:
Course Time:
Location:
Class Discussion Forum:
Contact Info:
Email: arunab@cs.stonybrook.edu
Office hours: Thursday 2.30pm to 3.30pm; Wednesday 2.15pm to 3.00pm (C418)
Announcement:
Course Web Page is up
All discussions will start on Brightspace (may move to Piazza if needed)
Description:
The goal of this course is to cover the introductory topics in networking. We will learn how network applications such as the Internet and Web works. We will learn how to build an "Internet" and how information is transmitted from one part of the world to another. More importantly we will learn the design patterns and general principles in designing Computer Networks. We will learn networking concepts using the OSI layer abstraction going from the application layer all the way down to the physical layer. The class will have a mix of programming assignments, homeworks, exams, and a project.
The learning objectives are (i) understanding the networking principles behind the Internet, (ii) learning foundational principles used to make design decisions in systems, and (iii) building the ability to analyze trade-offs in system design
Textbooks:
I will teach the course top-down from the application layer down to the physical layer. I will use the following textbook
Computer Networks, A Top Down Approach by Kurose and Ross 7th edition.
Grading:
There are several components in this class: Assignments, Homeworks, and Exams. The grading criteria are as follows:
Final Exam: 20%
Midterm exam: 20%
Programming Assignments (2, 10 points each): 20% Homeworks (3, 6 points each): 18%
Pop quiz: 7%
Final Project: 15%
Programming Assignments: There will be 2 programming assignments. Assignments should be submitted before 9.00pm on the day they are due. You will get 2 weeks for each assignment. The assignments are programming heavy. You can program in Python or C. Python is by far the easiest for the assignments and I will strongly advice you to use Python.
Homeworks: There will be 3 homeworks. These do not require programming and are written assignment. They are due before 9.00pm on the day they are due. You will typically get 1 week to finish your homework.
Midterm and final exam: The exams are in-person and timed. The exam is closed book but I allow a 1- page cheat sheet.
Project: You will do a group project with 2 student (or individual). The project will consist of a project presentation and final report. You will also submit a project proposal and a project progress report which will all be graded. The project will be based on the material learnt in class.
Grace period: The students get a 48 hours grace period spanning assignments and a 48 hour grace period spanning all homeworks. Students will not be penalized as long as the total late hours does not exceed 48 hours across assignments and 48 hours across homeworks.
Late submission policy: If a programming assignment/homework is submitted at hour h after the deadline (after the grace period), the penalty is as follows
- If 0 < h <= 5, penalized 5% of your grade
- If 5 < h <=15 hours, penalized 8% of your grade,
- If 15 < h <= 24, penalized 15% of your grade
- If 24 < h <= 48, penalized 30% of your grade
- If 48 < h <= 72, penalized 40% of your grade
- If 72 < h <= 96, penalized 60% of your grade,
- h > 96, you cannot submit the homework.
Extensions are almost never provided.
Tentative Schedule:
| Date | Topic | Readings | Notes |
| 08/29/2023 | Introduction | No reading | [introduction.pdf] |
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Application Layer |
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| 08/31/2023 | Introduction continued |
1.5, 2.1.1, (2.1.2 covered in Transport), |
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| 09/05/2023 | Application and Web | 2.2 (except cookies) | |
| 09/07/2023 | HTTP | Homework 1 is out 9/08, 09/19, | |
| 09/12/2023 | DNS | ||
| 09/14/2023 | CDN | 2.6.3 | Programming assignment 1 out 09/19, due 10/06 |
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Transport Layer |
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| 9/19/2023 | Introduction to Transport layer | 3.1, 3.2, 2.7 | |
| 9/21/2023 | Introduction to TCP | 3.3.1, 3.5.1, 3.5.2 | |
| 9/26/2023 | Flow control, congestion control | 3.5.3, 3.5.4, 3.5.5 | |
| 9/28/2023 | No class | ||
| 10/03/2023 | No class | ||
| 10/05/2023 | Congestion control | 3.6.1, 3.7 (excluding 3.7.1 or 3.7.2), 3.3 (no checksums) | |
| 10/10/2023 | Congestion control and UDP |
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| 10/12/2023 | In class exam | In-class Exam |
In-class exam |
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Project discussion and wrapping up TCP and application layers. |
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| 10/17/2023 | HTTP/HTTP3 + Project discussion + Wireshark |
Programming assignment 2 out 10/16, due 10/31 |
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Network Layer |
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| 10/19/2023 | Introduction to network layer and IP addressing | 4.3.3 (details of DHCP excluded) | |
| 10/24/2023 | IP addressing | ||
| 10/26/2023 | IP forwarding | 4.2 | |
| 10/31/2023 | IP layer | 4.3.1, 4.3.4, 4.3.5 | |
| 11/02/2023 | VAN and NATs |
Homework 2 out 11/02, due 11/09, Project proposal due 11/03 |
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| 11/07/2023 | Intra domain routing + exam review | 5.2 (5.2.1, 5.2.2) No poisoned reverse |
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| 11/09/2023 | Inter domain routing | 5.4 |
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| 11/14/2023 | Inter domain routing continued |
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Switching Layer |
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| 11/16/2023 | Switching and ARP |
Homework 3 is out 11/14, due 11/21. |
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| 11/21/2023 | Extending a LAN + link layer |
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Link layer and Physical layer |
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| 11/23/2023 | Link layer | 6.1, 6.1.1, 6.3, 6.3.1, 6.3.2 | |
| 11/28/2023 | Link layer + Physical layer | Project progress report due 11/28 (optional) | |
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Wrapping up |
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| 11/30/2023 | Class replaced with scheduled office hours | No class. Scheduled office hours 11/29 and 11/28 to discuss project. | |
| 12/05/2023 | Wrap up class | ||
| 12/07/2023 | Poster presentation | Poster presentation | Final Project Report due 12/08. |
Others:
Discussion policy: All discussions will take place on Bright Space. Please be respectful of your fellow classmates and your instructor when posting questions. Please follow the discussions and announcements on Bright Space closely. I will be posting important announcements on it.
Academic Dishonesty: I take academic dishonesty extremely seriously. Your assignments will be tested for plagiarism not only against your classmates but also with all past assignments. If I find evidence of dishonesty, I will immediately notify the Program Director and give you an F in the class.
Deadlines: All deadlines are tentative in the beginning. The firm deadlines will be announced in class and posted on Bright Space.
Laptop and devices: I have a no-laptop and no-device policy in class. I will accommodate students who have accessibility requirements or other needs. In that case, send me email or come talk to me.
