Computer Science 125
Computer Networks
Syllabus -- Fall 2010

Professor: Mike Erlinger
Office: Olin 1258b
Phone: x-18912
E-mail: mike@cs.hmc.edu

Lecture Times: Monday & Wednesday, 11:00am
Lab Times: Thursdays, 8:00PM
Meeting Place: Beckman B105 (Lecture & Lab)

Graders:: Chris Sauro
Lab TAs:: Chris Sauro
Secretary: Joyce Greene, Olin 1258, 621-8225

Course Description

Computer Networks covers the principles of computer networking especially protocols and analysis techniques for computer networking. The course has a significant laboratory requirement. The course prerequisite is CS 105 Computer Systems.

Course Text

I did order texts through Huntley Bookstore, but as usual the numbers may not be correct. There are obviously many places to purchase books, e.g., bookpool.com, so do what is best for you.

Computer Networks, A System Approach, 4th Edition, by Larry Peterson & Bruce Davie, Morgan Kaufmann, ISBN 1-55860-832-X.

Other Related Texts

What Is This Course About?

There are many ways to approach the subject of computer networks. In early years, the course was centered on the analysis of the individual protocols in the TCP/IP protocol stack. Besides protocol particulars, the current text, Peterson and Davie, considers computer networking from a systems perspective, investigating some of the systems questions related to the general concept of networking (protocols are still a significant undertaking). Peterson and Davie are still strongly oriented towards TCP/IP, but their presentation has a more global view of the interaction of various protocols. The text focuses on networking protocols and paper analysis of actual networks. We will use the lab to move from paper analysis to practical analysis of networks. I will teach the course at 3 levels: My lectures WILL ASSUME that you have read related material from one of the above books or other material (e.g., RFCs) and thus that you come to class with questions and some knowledge. I hope to start each lecture section with some questions and concepts that you should be thinking about.

Requirements and Grades

I have no idea as to the best approach to encourage you to submit material on time, except to use the calendar and laboratory to control your activities.

Also, for a change I have a grader who will help in the lab, hwks, etc. But, I do plan on using the class to grade abstracts.. so many of you will get a turn. Thus, you will also be responsible for some critical evaluation of your classmates' work.

Make sure to read the late policy. There will be NO exam. Your grade will be determined on your performance on Labs and other assignments. The relative weighting scheme will be as follows:

Abstracts: and Hwks : 15%
Labs : 60%
Projects : 25%

Abstracts

Do them or lose the points. There will be NO course grade of 'A' without all abstracts being completed.

Laboratory

The laboratory aspect of this course continues under development. We are sharing labs with Prof Janet Davis at Grinnell. The various Web pages will be updated as the semester progresses. The labs focus on network investigation and code development. Labs will have a statement about grades such as: "Do parts 1 and 2 for a B; Do parts 1, 2, and 3 for an A". Just make sure in your writeups that you indicate what work you have done.

Projects

The projects aspect of this course continues under development. One thing that is certain is that each of you will give a lecture on one protocol. The various Web pages will be updated as the semester progresses.

Collaboration Policy

Collaboration is encouraged. This means that you may discuss approaches to solving problems with anyone in the class, including myself, graders, and other students. However, copying solutions from any source (person or book) is disallowed, e.g., googling for information is fine, googling for the answer is not. All students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Harvey Mudd Honor Code. If you have any questions about what is appropriate or inappropriate collaboration, please talk to Me.

Course Web Page

Obviously you should check the course Web page periodically. My plan is to keep it updatedly weekly, i.e., by Sunday night the next week should be complete and subsequent weeks partially completed. Things way out may move, but they do show you direction. NOTE: Everything is driven from course Calendar, so keep checking it.

List of Topics

Mike Erlinger

Last Modified Monday, 20-Sep-2010 07:29:07 PDT