CS 322: Introduction to Computer Networks

Course Information

Class Meetings

Instructor

Class web site

Prerequisites

CS 216

Text

Note: Assignments and readings in the course will be based on the ninth edition of the text. If you choose to get a previous edition, it is your responsibility to make sure you have the correct assignments and sections.

Topics

Course Goals

• Articulate the organization of the Internet.
• Describe the layered structure of a typical networked architecture.
• Implement a client-server socket-based application.
• Describe the operation of reliable delivery protocols.
• Implement a simple reliable protocol for an unreliable communication channel.
• Describe how packets are forwarded in an IP networks.
• Describe the hardware and software that allow computers to communicate.
• Describe common communication protocols, such as TCP, HTTP, FTP etc.
• Write client/server network applications.
• Explain how application layer messages reach their destination.

Curricular Goals

• Network programming.
• Error Detecting and Correcting.
• Protocol design and implementation.
• Algorithms: routing, reliable transfer, congestion control

Course Credit

The federal government defines a credit hour as the equivalent amount of work as 50 minutes in class and two hours out of class for one semester.

Therefore, this course should be the equivalent work of three hours and twenty minutes in class and 8 hours outside of class. Since the course meets two and a half hours per week, the schedule contains a "fourth hour" item each week which is some activity outside of the normal homework assignments that you must complete.

Attendance Policy

Grading Policy

Unless otherwise specified, all homework assignments are weighted equally. Some assignments may count as two or more assignments. Such changes will be noted on the assignment specifications.

Each student is required to attend at least two Computer Science Department Colloquia this semester. There will be at least five department sponsored event this semester. You must sign in at the event to receive credit.

There will be 2 tests during the semester as indicated on the schedule. Tests will be held in class and will be proctored. Make-up tests will only be given under special circumstances.

Grade Distribution

Grade Ranges

Honor Code and Honor Code Violations

Guidelines for following the honor code:

• Do not represent anyone else's work as your own.
• Do not search the Internet (or any other source) for solutions to the assignments unless told to do so.
• When an assignment requires that you search for an answer, provide references to your sources.
• Do not share your work with other students, unless you are working on a group project.
• You may ask a fellow student for help if you get stuck, and they may provide advice, but they may not provide a complete or partial solution.
• Tests and the final exam will taken in class and will be proctored.

Generative AI Tools

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can be powerful aids to completing a variety of work. You will undoubtedly use them in your careers. They will likely become the de-facto standard for building computer applications in the future.

In this course, we may employ these tools from time to time, both in class and work you do alone. However, you may not use them for any submitted work unless there are specific instructions to do so. Using these tools on assignments without permission is a violation of the Honor Code.

You should aim to be more than just a communication device between your professor and ChatGPT. You improve your problem solving ability by thinking (practice makes perfect).

Calendar

This calendar is subject to change throughout the semester.