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CS4390 - Computer Networks

Fall 2005

Catalog Description:

CS 4390 Computer Networks: (3 semester hours) The design and analysis of computer networks. Topics
include: the ISO reference model, transmission media, medium-access protocols, LANs, data link
protocols, routing, congestion control, internetworking, and connection management. Prerequisite:
CS/SE 4345. (3-0) S

Course Objectives:

This course is an introductory course on computer networks. Using the Internet as a vehicle, this course
introduces the underlying concepts and principles of modern computer networks with emphasis on
protocols, architectures, and implementation issues. The main goal of this course is to understand
layering in computer networks, understand different protocol stacks (OSI and TCP/IP), understand
functions and protocols within a layer, understand how layers fit together and finally understand how the
Internet works. In addition, you will also experience with
(i) writing simple network applications and
(ii) learning exactly what is going on inside the Internet by looking at frames/packets/segments and
identifying each bit.

Tentative course schedule

Course Information:

Lecture time: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 - 5:15 pm in ECS South 2.201
Course web page: http://www.utdallas.edu/~ksarac/cn/index.htm
Textbook:
J. Kurose and K. Ross, "Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the
Internet", Addison-Wesley, 3rd edition.

References:
Online Socket Programming Tutorials in C: short version and long version and long version
2.
M. Donahoo and K. Calvert, "Pocket Guide to TCP/IP Sockets (C Version)", Morgan
Kaufmann, 1st edition.
M. Donahoo and K. Calvert, "TCP/IP Sockets in Java: Practical Guide for Programmers",
Morgan Kaufmann, 1st edition.
W. R. Stevens, "UNIX Network Programming, Volume 1: Networking APIs -- Sockets and
XTI", 2nd edition.
D. E. Comer, "Internetworking with TCP/IP Volume 1: Principles, Protocols and
Architecture", Prentice Hall, 4th edition.
C. Huitema, "Routing in the Internet", Prentice Hall, 2nd edition.
Prerequisites: CS/SE 4345, programming skills in C/C++ and/or in Java, and working knowledge

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of a UNIX-based operating system.

Instructor Information:

Dr. Kamil Sarac (ksarac@utdallas.edu)

Office: ES 4.207
Phone: 972 883 2337
Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays: 11:00am - 12:00 noon; 2:30pm - 3:30pm; and by appointment

Teaching Assistant:

Name: TBA
Office: TBA
Office hours: TBA

Student Evaluation:

Programming Project : 8%
Quizzes (2 of them) : 10% each
Homework assignment (3 of them): 4% each
Midterm : 30 %
Final (Second mid term) : 30%

Miscellaneous:

Class participation in terms of asking questions is highly encouraged. Please do not be afraid to
ask questions no matter how simple you might think the answer could be. This type of interaction
helps improve the effectiveness of the class and breaks the monotony.
The presentation slides will be available on the class web page. I will try to put them up before
each class meeting but no guarantees on that.
For the home works, you are welcome to discuss the problems or solution strategies with your
class mates but you should not be copying answers from each others. Any cheating detected will
be handled with the standard university procedures on the subject.
Home works should be returned before/on due date and on time. For late home works, you will
lose 10 points for each day until 3 days after the deadline. No home works will be accepted after 3
days after the deadline.
After the grades for your mid-term and homework assignments are announced, you will have one
week to appeal for your grades. So, please keep this in mind if you think that there is a
problem/issue with the grading of your work.
You should plan on taking the exams on the scheduled times. No late/early exams unless in case
of an emergency situation such as health emergency or similar un-avoid-able situations and you
need to provide convincing documentation for it. The exams will be closed books and closed
notes. No calculators (unless otherwise stated) and no other electronic devices such as cell phones,

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beepers, etc. should be used during the exam.

Quizzes will be 30 min long at the beginning of lectures.

Course Topics (from the textbook):

Introduction (Chapter 1)
Application Layer (Chapter 2)
Transport Layer (Chapter 3)
Network Layer and Routing (Chapter 4)
Link Layer and Local Area Networks (Chapter 5)
Selected sections from Chapter 6 – IF TIME PERMITS

http://www.utdallas.edu/~ksarac/cn/index.htm 8/31/2005