Welcome to
CSci4211: Introduction to
Computer Networks
Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pm Thursday
Location: Physics 131
Fall 2014 3 credit
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Who Are We
Instructor:
Zhi-Li Zhang
Professor
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
University of Minnesota
Office: 6-187 EE/CS Bldg (Keller Hall)
Phone 625-8568
Email: zhzhang@cs.umn.edu
URL http://www.cs.umn.edu/~zhzhang
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Who Are We
TA 1 (25%):
Jake Hemstad
Email: hemst013@umn.edu
TA2 (25%):
Varun Umesh
Email: umesh001@umn.edu
TA 3 (50%):
Guobao Sun
Office: Walter Library (DTC) B32
Email: gsun@cs.umn.edu
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What is Csci4211 about?
First (Introductory) Networking Course
 We’ll learn about
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Fundamental principles and concepts in computer
networks
How Internet works
Focus on network software architecture and mechanisms
hands-on experiences
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via programing projects, wireshark exercises, etc.
Who is it for?
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CSci, CE or EE undergraduate students
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Course Prerequisite
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Algorithms, Computer Architecture, OS
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Not necessary, but helpful
Basic knowledge of probability
Programming experience in Python/Java
More importantly
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Willing to learn and work hard
Love to ask questions and solve problems
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Course Materials
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Required Textbook:
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Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach
by Jim Kurose and Keith Ross, 6th edition
Addison Wesley
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Other Useful Textbooks:
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Website: http://www.aw.com/kurose-ross
Computer Networks by Andrew Tanenbaum, Prentice Hall,
and many others!
Class Notes and other assigned readings
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Lecture Notes
• Lecture notes will be posted on the class website
– Lecture notes provide you an “outline” of the key
concepts and materials we will cover in lectures
• May also contain some supplementary information no in
the textbooks
– will be posted before class, so please read them
before the class if possible!
• If you want hardcopy, you must print your own. This
includes class notes and assignment specifications.
– may be updated slightly after lectures
• Lecture notes are mostly based on the lecture notes by the
authors, which you can find on the textbook website
– and with many other useful materials!
Class Information
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Class Website :
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Announcement Page
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http://www.cselabs.umn.edu/classes/Fall-2014/csci4211
Check the web page periodically
Class Google Group Mailing List:
umn-csci4211-f14@googlegroups.com
-- will send you an invitation to your UMN email
address or post a link for you to sign up!
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Help Hot Line: csci4211-help@cs.umn.edu
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Course Requirements
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Do assigned readings
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Attend and participate in class activities
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Please ask and answer questions in (and out of) class!
Let’s try to make the class interactive and fun!
Workload
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Be prepared, read textbook/lecture notes before class
Two homework assignments (“mock” exams): 10% each
Four (small) “hands-on” programming projects: 8-9% each, 35%
Two “take-home” quizzes: 10% each
One final exam: 25%
Grade not based on curve
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Everybody can get a A if you work for it!
must pass one of the quizzes and the final exam to obtain a
passing grade
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“Hands-on” Experiences
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It makes no sense to learn about networking without
“getting your hands dirty”
Four “small” (individual) programming projects
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Two “hands-on,” interactive lectures (led by TAs)
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Emulate some key mechanisms/algorithms learned in lectures
DNS, TCP, routing and LAN switches
Capture and go over “real-network” traces using Wireshark
Run emulations or experiments (e.g., using GENI)
Quick Q&As a la Jeopardy, and other “fun” exercises
Also help with programming projects
Extra-credit GENI experiments/exercises
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GENI (Global Environment for Network Innovation) Testbed
Allow you to set up “toy” networks and run experiments, or deploy
your own algorithms and test them
Will set accounts for you if interested -- details will follow
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Grading criteria/guidelines
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[93 --100] A
[90 -- 93) A[87 -- 90) B+
[83 -- 87) B
[80 -- 83) B[75 -- 80) C+
[70 -- 75) C
[65 -- 70) C[60 -- 65) D+
[50 -- 60) D
[00 -- 50) F
Grades are to help you check how
much you have learned, where your
weaknesses lie.
No competition among members
of the class!
Everybody have a chance to get A if
you work for it
Depends on the situations/progress,
extra credit would be available
Policies and Guidelines
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Penalty on late homework/projects:
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Make-up exams: only if final conflicts
Incomplete: not granted, unless
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Please start working on your hw & programming assignments
early and hand them in on time!
Penalty: one day late 10% deduction, thereafter each extra
late day 15% deduction. No credit if more than three-days
late unless prior arrangements are made.
proof of emergency, “agreement for incomplete” form
Scholastic behavior:
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You are encouraged to study in groups, but do your work
independently!
Acknowledge reference/credit if receive help!
University’s code of conduct enforced!
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Course Overview
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Introduction: what is computer network/Internet?
Application Layer and Internet Applications
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Transport Layer
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Service models, routing algorithms, IP and routing protocols
Data Link Layer
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UDP, TCP, reliable transfer protocols, congestion control
Network Layer
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web, email, DNS, BSD socket programming interface
Media Access Ctrl, Local Area Networks (Ethernet), Bridge
Summary: Putting Everything Together
Tentative Schedule Webpage
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Important Dates (Tentative)
Task
Out Date
Due Date
Grade
Written HW
Assignment 1
18th Sep
10th Oct
10%
Project 1
18th Sep
3rd Oct
8%
Take-home Quiz I
22nd Oct
24th Oct
10%
Project 2
16th Oct
3rd Nov
9%
Written Hw
Assignment 2
31st Oct
21st Nov
10%
Project 3
6th Nov
21st Nov
9%
Take-home Quiz II
24th Nov
1st Dec
10%
Project 4
20th Nov
5th Dec
9%
Final Exam
1xth Dec (in class)
6:30pm- 8:30pm
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Ways to you reach me
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My Regular Office Hours:
16:00PM-17:00PM, Thursday
My On-demand Office Hours by appointment
Personal Email: zhzhang@cs.umn.edu
Help-Hot Line: csci4211-help@cs.umn.edu
Telephone 612-625-8568
Class mailing list (I will keep monitoring)
Catch me before and after class
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Ways you reach TAs
Your TAs are Jake, Varun and Guobao
Office Hours:
 Jake Hemstad: Tue 3pm-4pm
 Varun Umess: Wed 11am-12pm
 Guobao Sun: Mon 4:30pm-5:30pm; Fri 4pm-5pm
 On-demand Office Hours by appointment
 Help-Hot Line: csci4211-help@cs.umn.edu
 Class forum
 Tell me if you have any concern and complain
about TA performance
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Ways we reach you
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Lecture
Email & Class mailing list
Website (esp. announcement page)
Handouts include assignments/projects
In-class survey
Office hours, before & after lectures
Quizzes & Exam
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Questions?
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Class Registration and
Questionaire
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Information about you
Background Survey
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Tips for Doing Well
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Realize what is involved and prepare ahead
Stay current and get feedback
Ask and answer questions
Participate in the class
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Use different learning strategies
Know what to expect from exams
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Extra credit could be available for in-class participation
45% grade comes from exams.
Persist
In case of serious difficulties:
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Remember you can always withdraw
Attention: students with learning or other disabilities, please
notify us ahead of time; special arrangements will be made!
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