CPSC 5157G – Computer Networks
Online/Onsite Offering
Instructor
Dr. Jianhua Yang
Center for Commerce and Technology 440
(706) 507–8180
e–mail: yang_jianhua@columbusstate.edu
website: http://csc.ColumbusState.edu/yang
Online Office Hours (Summer 2012): TBA
All students, both in–class and on–line, are encouraged to send e–mail at any time.
On–line students should note the special requirement for e–mail class participation.
Course Prerequisites
A knowledge of Data Structures, such as CPSC 2108 or CPSC 6106.
Textbook:
Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (5th Edition) [Hardcover]
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James F. Kurose (Author), Keith W. Ross(Author)
Hardcover: 864 pages
Publisher: Addison Wesley; 5 edition (March 31, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0136079679
ISBN-13: 978-0136079675
Other Required Materials: The student will be required to download and use a number
of freeware computer tools, such as Ethereal (Wireshark).
Additional textbooks and References
 Andrew S. Tanenbaum , Computer Networks, Prentice Hall.
 W. Stallings. Data and Computer Communications. Prentice Hall.
 J. Walrand. Communication Networks: First Course. Aksen Associates.
 D. Comer. Internetworking with TCP/IP, Volume I, Prentice Hall.
 W. Stevens. TCP/IP Illustrated: The Protocols, Vol 1. Addison-Wesley.
 D. Comer. Computer Networks and Internets. Prentice Hall.
 L. Peterson and B. Davie. Computer Networks: A Systems Approach. Morgan
Kaufman.
Course Catalog Description:
Local area networks, wide area networks, and internets. Protocols and the ISO Open
Systems Interconnect reference model. Design, analysis, and performance evaluation.
Emphasis on data link, network, and transport protocols.
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CPSC 5157 – Computer Networks
Graduate Online Offering
Course Description and Objectives
This course is a broad introduction to networking concepts and emphasizes the following:
 Local area networks, wide area networks, and internets.
 Protocols and the OSI (Open Systems Interconnect) reference model.
 Design, analysis, and performance evaluation.
The main objective of this course is to answer the basic question "how do computer
networks and internets operate?" in the broadest sense. The course will provide a
comprehensive, self-contained tour through all of networking from the lowest levels of
data transmission and wiring to the highest levels of application software. At each level,
we will see how the facilities and services provided by lower levels are used and
extended in the next level. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will
have an understanding of:
1. The large–scale structure of the global Internet and its associated protocols;
2. The OSI Reference Model and the Internet Protocol Stack;
3. The Application Layer: Structure and sample applications;
4. The Transport Layer: Its function and services;
5. Reliable data transport and congestion control;
6. The uses of UDP and TCP; the trade–offs between them;
7. The Network Layer: Its function and services;
8. The structure of IP addresses: classful and classless addresses;
9. The DNS (Domain Name Service): “User friendly” names & IP addresses;
10. Routing on the Internet;
11. The Link Layer: Its function and services;
12. Error detection and correction techniques;
13. Collision detection and the Ethernet solution to that problem;
14. Collision avoidance and the Token Ring solution to that problem;
15. Link–layer switches: forwarding and filtering;
16. The basics of network security.
Course Methods
 The class will be an online course, taught over WebCT.
 Hands-on laboratory experiences will be part of the course.
 Students will be expected to complete hands-on exercises and a series of
programming assignments.
 Students will be expected to finish a computer network comprehensive project.
 Students will be expected to participate online discussion
Student Responsibilities
1. Visit WebCT regularly and participate in all online discussions. And watch the
videos hosted at Tegrity.
2. Complete all reading assignments and all homework assignments.
3. Finish all the hands-on lab exercises
4. Ask the instructor questions.
5. Send the instructor e–mail with both comments and questions.
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Graduate Online Offering
Instructor Responsibilities
1. Maintain online course materials.
2. Assign appropriate homework that illustrates the concepts of the course, and
grade and return the homework in a timely manner with adequate explanation.
3. Give tests over the material and grade and return the tests in a timely manner
4. Provide a website that supports the course.
5. Reply promptly (within one business day) to all student e–mail communications.
Methods for Evaluating Students
The evaluation methods will include homework, hands-on exercise, midterm, and a
comprehensive final project. In addition, individual WebCT visiting rate is also
considered as a factor of final evaluation.
Assignments
Hands-on Labs
10%
10%
Online Quiz:
10%
Programming Project
10%
Online Discussion
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
10%
20%
30%
The Exams: All exams (except final) will be given online. They are all open–book.
The time allocated will be the standard. If a final exam is given, a proctor is not needed
since it is OPEN-book.
The Mid–Term Exam will be a one–hour exam.
The Final Exam will be a two–hour exam if scheduled.
Assignment of Letter Grades
The method of assigning letter grades based on overall course averages is fairly standard.
The basic method for assigning grades is described as follows:
Average
90 – 100
80 – 89
70 – 79
60-69
Below 60
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Letter Grade
A
B
C
D
F
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Graduate Online Offering
Tentative Topic Schedule (for online and onsite students)
Week Date
1
06/12
06/14
2
06/19
06/21
3
06/26
06/28
4
07/03
07/05
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Topics to be covered
Introduction to the class
The Internet and network edge
The Network Core
Delay, Jitter, Loss, &
Throughput
Protocol Layers
History
Network Applications
The Client / Server Model
The Web and HTTP
File Transfer: FTP
Electronic Mail: SMTP
The Domain Name Service
Peer–To–Peer Applications
Introduction to TCP and UDP
Socket Programming with TCP
Socket Programming with
UDP
End–to–end vs. host–to–host
Transport layer vs. Network
Layer
Connectionless Transport:
UDP
Reliable Data Transfer
Connection–Oriented
Transport: TCP
Reliable Data Transfer
Flow and Congestion Control
Connection Management
The TCP “Handshakes”
Forwarding and Routing
Real circuits vs. virtual circuits
Routers and Switches
Format of an IP packet
Ch
Asgn
Lab
Quiz
A1
Lab1HTTP
Quiz 1
1
2
2
2
Quiz 2
2
2
3
A2
Lab2DNS
Quiz 3
3
3
Quiz 4
3
4
4
Lab3TCP
A3
Quiz 5
Midterm Exam
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5
07/10
IP version 4 address format
Classful and classless
addresses
CIDR (Classless Interdomain
Routing)
IP version 6
4
5
07/12
4
6
07/17
Routing algorithms
More on DNS
DHCP (Dynamic Host
Configuration)
NAT (Network Address
Translation)
Link Layer and Network Layer
Link layer services
Error Detection and Error
Correction
Managing a Shared Channel
The Ethernet and the Alohanet
Link Layer Addressing
Ethernet Addressing
CSMA/CD
Ethernet vs. Token Ring
Principles of Security
Message Integrity and EndPoint Authentication
Securing E-mail
SSL
IPSec and VPN
Securing WLAN
Firewall and IDS
Last Day of Class (Review for
Final)
07/19
7
07/24
07/26
5
Progra
ming
Project
A4
Lab4IP
Quiz 6
5
8
A5
Quiz 7
8
A8
Quiz 8
The Comprehensive Research Project
In addition to the requirements placed on the undergraduate students, graduate students
are expected to do a literature research project on a subject related to advanced topics in
computer network and its security. The students are expected to produce a paper of at
least three pages in length (single spaced) that conforms to expected standards for
grammar, logical organization, and citation of references.
Suggested topics:
Network traffic monitoring and analyzing
Packet sniffing and analyzing
The schedule for the paper:
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TBA
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All work submitted must be based on electronic formats. MS–Word, Adobe PDF, and
RTF formats are acceptable formats. All work may be submitted through WebCT.
Unless otherwise noted, each submission should be at least one and a half pages in length
and not exceed three pages. One inch margins should be used. The paper should be
single spaced, using a blank line to separate paragraphs.
Course Assistance
Student assistants in the Computer Center can help you with basic computer–related
problems (such as logging on to the network, saving your work, etc.), but they are not
trained to help you with your assignments. We have several tutors at the Department of
Computer Science who can help you with programming assignments. Their schedule is
posted at the department office. You can always contact me during the posted office
hours or by appointment. The best way to get in touch with me is by e–mail at
yang_jianhua@columbusstate.edu.
Dropping the Course
We hope that you will complete the course and profit from it. If it is necessary for you to
withdraw from the course during the semester, you must follow all official CSU
procedures for withdrawing. It is not sufficient to notify the instructor; you must use the
ISIS system and withdraw officially. For details on how to withdraw from a course, see
the web page
http://aa.columbusstate.edu/advising/w.htm#Withdrawal%20from%20a%20Course.
I would appreciate it if you were first to consult with me before starting the procedure for
withdrawing from the course. In some cases, we can agree on an arrangement that will
allow you to complete the course with minor adjustments.
Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, activities such as cheating and
plagiarism (http://aa.columbusstate.edu/advising/a.htm#Academic Dishonesty/Academic
Misconduct). It is a basis for disciplinary action. Any work turned in for individual credit
must be entirely the work of the student submitting the work. All work must be your own.
You may share ideas but submitting identical assignments (for example) will be
considered cheating. You may discuss the material in the course and help one another
with debugging; however, any work you hand in for a grade must be your own. A simple
way to avoid inadvertent plagiarism is to talk about the assignments, but don't read each
other's work or write solutions together unless otherwise directed. For your own
protection, keep scratch paper and old versions of assignments to establish ownership,
until after the assignment has been graded and returned to you. If you have any questions
about this, please see me immediately. For assignments, access to notes, the course
textbooks, books and other publications is allowed. All work that is not your own,
MUST be properly cited. This includes any material found on the Internet. Stealing or
giving or receiving any code, diagrams, drawings, text or designs from another person
(CSU or non-CSU, including the Internet) is not allowed. Having access to another
person's work on the computer system or giving access to your work to another person is
not allowed. It is your responsibility to keep your work confidential.
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No cheating in any form will be tolerated. Penalties for academic dishonesty may include
a zero grade on the assignment or exam/quiz, a failing grade for the course, suspension
from the Computer Science program, and dismissal from the program. All instances of
cheating will be documented in writing with a copy placed in the Department's files.
Students will be expected to discuss the academic misconduct with the faculty member
and the chairperson. For more details see the Faculty Handbook:
http://aa.columbusstate.edu/faculty/FacHandbook0203/sec100.htm#109.14 and the
Student Handbook: http://sa.columbusstate.edu/handbook/handbook2003.pdf
ADA Accommodation Notice
If you have a documented disability, as described by the Rehabilitation Act of1973 (P.L.
933-112 Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)and subsequent
amendments and would like to request academic and/or physical accommodations, please
contact the Office of Disability Services in the Schuster Student Success Center (room
221), 706-507-8755, as soon as possible. Course requirements will not be waived, but
reasonable accommodations may be provided as appropriate. It is then your
responsibility to contact and meet with the instructor. It is also your responsibility
to present the instructor with a letter from the Center for Academic Support.
Without this letter detailing the required accommodations, the instructor cannot
help you. The Center for Academic Support can assist you and the instructor in
formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and provide support in developing
appropriate accommodations for your disability. Course requirements will not be waived
but accommodations may be made to assist you to meet the requirements. Technical
support may also be available to meet your specific need. For more information on
services and support available, refer to
http://uc.columbusstate.edu/disability_services.htm.
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