CMPS 4750/6750: Computer Networks - Spring 2018

Instructor:	Zizhan Zheng (zzheng3@tulane.edu), Stanley Thomas 307B
Class Time & Place:	TR 2:00pm-3:15pm, Stanley Thomas 302
Office Hours:	Wed & Thu 12-1pm, and by appointment

Course Descrption (Syllabus)

This is a graduate level course on computer networking. This course covers the core concepts and analytic techniques in the design and analysis of computer networks and network protocols. We will explain both how computer networks work using the Internet as the paradigm and why they work from an optimization and control perspective. Topics to be covered include an overview of the Internet, application layer (HTTP/SMTP/DNS/P2P), transport layer (TCP/UDP), networking layer (IP), link/physical layer (wired and wireless), and selected topics on network optimization and analysis.

Course Materials

• Textbooks
  • James Kurose and Keith Ross [KR], Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th edition).
  • R. Srikant and Lei Ying [SY], Communication Networks: An Optimization, Control, and Stochastic Networks Perspective.
• References
• Jean Walrand and Shyam Parekh [WP], Communication Networks: A Concise Introduction (available for download from any campus associated IP address).
• Kevin R. Fall and W. Richard Stevens [FS], TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1: The Protocols (2nd Edition).

Homework and Labs  

There will be both written problem assignments and labs (programming assignments). Graduate level students will be given extra questions that require advanced algorithmic/analytic techniques. Specific instructions will be given in each assignment.

Exams

There will be a midterm and a final exam. Both will be closed-book and closed-notes, but you will be allowed to bring a cheat sheet to each exam (one letter page single-sided). The midterm will be non-comprehensive, but the final exam will be comprehensive.

Late Policy

Without prior arrangements, missing an exam, homework assignments, or project results in a grade of zero. Notification after the exam will result in a score of zero. A request for homework/lab extension or a make-up exam must be given to the instructor prior to the exam date (documentation may be required).

Attendance

Students are required to attend all classes unless they are ill or prevented from attending by exceptional circumstances. Students are responsible for notifying instructors about absences that result from serious illnesses, injuries, or critical personal problems.

Grading

• Homework - 20%
• Labs - 20%
• Midterm - 20%
• Final - 30%
• Class participation - 10%

The weighted average will determine your letter grade roughly as follows:
A  >= 90%; B  >= 80%; C  >= 70%; D  >= 60%; F  < 60%
+/- grades will be given for borderline cases. All grades will be posted on Canvas.

Schedule (tentative) & Handouts

Acknowledgment: many slides are adapted from the slides accompanied by the textbooks (especially [KR]).

Lecture	Date	Topic	Lecture Topic	Reading	Assignments
1	Jan. 16 (Tu)		Course Overview; What's the Internet; Access networks (PDF)	KR 1.1, 1.2
Class cancelled
2	Jan. 23 (Tu)	Overview	Circuit switching and packet switching; delay, loss, and throughput	KR 1.3-1.4, WP 1.1-1.2, WP 2.3
3	Jan. 25 (Th)		Delay, loss, and throughput; Interconnection of ISPs; Layered network architectures (PDF)	KR 1.4-1.5, WP 2.1-2.2, 2.4	Homework 1 (due on Feb. 6 in class)
4	Jan. 30 (Tu)	Statistical Multiplexing and Queues	A brief overview of discrete probability (PDF); statistical multiplexing	SY 3.1-3.2
5	Feb. 1 (Th)		the Chernoff bound; discrete-time Markov chains	SY 3.3
6	Feb. 6 (Tu)		discrete-time Markov chains; Geo/Geo/1 queue	SY 3.3-3.4
7	Feb. 8 (Th)		Little's law; Geo/Geo/1/B queue (PDF)	SY 3.4	Homework 2 (due on Feb. 22 in class)
Mardi Gras Break
8	Feb. 15 (Th)	Application Layer	Review of Homework 1; Overview of network apps; HTTP	KR 2.1-2.2
9	Feb. 20 (Tu)		HTTP; Email	KR 2.2-2.3
10	Feb. 22 (Th)		Socket programming, DNS	KR 2.7,2.4	Lab 1: (i) Web server lab; (ii) Wireshark lab for DNS (due on March 8 before class)
11	Feb. 27 (Tu)		Review of Homework 2; Midterm Review (PDF); P2P	KR 2.5, SY 8.2-8.3
12	Mar. 1 (Th)		P2P file sharing (PDF)	KR 2.5, SY 8.2-8.3	Homework 3 (due on March 15 in class)
Midterm:  Mar. 6 (Tu)  2pm-3:15pm
13	Mar. 8 (Th)	Transport Layer	Review of Midterm; Transport layer overview	KR 3.1-3.2
14	Mar. 13 (Tu)		UDP; Reliable data transfer	KR 3.3-3.4
15	Mar. 15 (Th)		Reliable data transfer	KR 3.4
16	Mar. 20 (Tu)		Reliable data transfer	KR 3.4
17	Mar. 22 (Th)		Reliable data transfer; TCP	KR 3.4-3.5	Homework 4.1 (due on Apr. 5 in class) Lab 2 (due on Apr. 12 before class)
Spring Break
18	Apr. 3 (Tu)	Transport Layer  (cont.)	TCP	KR 3.5-3.6
19	Apr. 5 (Th)		TCP congestion control	KR 3.6-3.7; WP 7.5
20	Apr. 10 (Tu)	Network Layer	TCP throughput and fairness (PDF); Network layer overview: addressing, forwarding	KR 3.7, 4.1-4.2	Homework 4.2 (due on Apr. 17 in class) Office hours in the week of Apr. 16: Mon & Tue 12-1pm
21	Apr. 12 (Th)		Forwarding; routing algorithms	KR 4.2, KR 5.2
22	Apr. 17 (Tu)		Routing algorithms	KR 5.2	Homework 5; Lab 3 (due on May 1 in class)
23	Apr. 19 (Th)		No class
24	Apr. 24 (Tu)		IPv4	KR 4.4
25	Apr. 26 (Th)	Link Layer	DHCP, NAT (PDF); Link layer overview, multiple access links, ALOHA	KR 4.4, KR 6.1, 6.3
26	May 1 (Tu)		ALOHA; ARP (PDF); Final Review (PDF) (last class)	KR 6.3, KR 6.4.1, 6.7; WP 3.7-3.8	Solution to Homework 5
Final Exam:  May 9 (Wed)  1pm-3pm

Academy Integrity

This course will follow Tulane's Code of Academic Conduct. Cheating will be reported to the Associate Dean of Newcomb-Tulane College. Discussion is encouraged. However, what you turn in must be your own. You may not read another classmate’s solutions or copy a solution from the web.

Title IX

Tulane University recognizes the inherent dignity of all individuals and promotes respect for all people. As such, Tulane is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination including sexual and gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence like sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or is experiencing these types of behaviors, know that you are not alone. Resources and support are available: you can learn more at titleix.tulane.edu. Any and all of your communications on these matters will be treated as either “Confidential” or “Private” as explained in the chart below. Please know that if you choose to confide in me I am mandated by the university to report to the Title IX Coordinator, as Tulane and I want to be sure you are connected with all the support the university can offer. You do not need to respond to outreach from the university if you do not want.