CSCI-P 538 Computer Networks
(Fall 2013)


[ Home | Policies | Schedule | Resources ]

Topics

Below is a list of topics I intend to cover:
  1. KR Ch. 1: Computer Networking Overview
  2. KR Ch. 2: Application Layer (Web, FTP, Email, DNS, P2P, Sockets)
  3. KR Ch. 3: Transport Layer (TCP, UDP)
  4. KR Ch. 4: Network Layer (IP, Routing)
  5. KR Ch. 5: Link Layer
  6. KR Ch. 8: Security in Computer Networks (in parallel with other chapters)
  7. Advanced P2P topics (time permitting)
  8. KR Ch. 6: Wireless and Mobile Networks (time permitting)
  9. KR Ch. 7: Multimedia (time permitting)

Class Schedule

This schedule will be updated progressively through the semester. Check often for assigned readings.

Date Topic Readings Project
Aug 27 Module 1: Basics

Introduction and Administrivia		 Course policies,
Plagiarism
Aug 29 Overview I: Internet Structure and Packet Switching KR Ch. 1.1–1.3
Sep 3 Overview II: Delay, Loss, Protocol Layering, Security Issues KR Ch. 1.4–1.7
Sep 5 Cryptographic Toolkit: Confidentiality, Integrity, PKI KR Ch. 8.1–8.3 Project 1 assigned: Parsing Packets
Sep 10 Module 2: Application Layer

Principles; End-to-End Arguments in System Design 		End-to-End paper,
KR Ch. 2.1
Sep 12 HTTP, HTTPS, and the Browser Lock Icon KR Ch. 2.2, 8.6; Supplemental readings Project 2 assigned: Socket Programming (netcat)
Sep 17 Other Browser+TLS attacks Supplemental Readings
Sep 19 Email, SMTP, Secure Email KR Ch. 2.4, 8.5
Sep 24 DNS, Attacks KR Ch. 2.5,
Sep 26 DNSSEC, Deployment Issues Case Study Paper Project 3 assigned: BitTorrent Client
Oct 1 Peer-to-Peer Systems KR Ch. 2.6
Oct 3 DHT Security Discussion KR Ch. 2.6
Oct 8 Module 3: Transport Layer

UDP		 KR Ch. 3.1–3.3
Oct 10 TCP: Reliable Data Transfer KR Ch. 3.4–3.5
Oct 15 TCP: Security Issues, Congestion Control KR Ch. 3.6–3.7
Oct 17 TCP: Congestion Control KR Ch. 3.6–3.7
Oct 22 Module 4: Network Layer

Functions and Services		 KR Ch. 4.1, 4.2
Oct 24 Forwarding KR Ch. 4.3, 4.4 Project 3 due
Oct 29 Guest lecture: Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems KR Ch. 8.9
Oct 31 Routing I KR Ch. 4.5–4.6 Project 4 assigned: Port Scanner
Nov 5 Routing II KR Ch. 4.5–4.6
Nov 7 BitTorrent Security Discussion (Andrew Kaizer) Improving BitTorrent Paper
Nov 12 Module 5: Link Layer

Multiple Access 		KR Ch. 5.1, 5.3
Nov 14 Link-Layer Switching KR Ch. 5.4
Nov 19 Module 6: Wireless Networks

Wireless Networks		 KR Ch. 6.1–6.3
Nov 21 Cellular Networks KR Ch. 6.4, 6.7, 6.8
Nov 26 Thanksgiving Break, no class
Nov 28 Thanksgiving Break, no class
Dec 3 Module 7: Requested Extra Topics

Guest Lecture: Software Defined Networking
Dec 5 CDMA CDMA Article Sections 1–5 Project 4 due
Dec 10 Module 8: Recap

Review Session 1
Dec 12 Review Session 2
Dec 17 (Tue) Closed-book, Comprehensive Final Exam
Covers Entire Syllabus (all readings and projects)
10:15am–12:15pm, Wells Library 033