CS522: Computer Communications, Fall 2009

Course Description

CS522 covers fundamental computer networking concepts and principles which guide you to apply the networking theory and design principles, verify their understandings, and build a solid foundation for creating innovations in today's Internet. It lays foundations of network architectures, protocol design principles, and TCP/IP programming skills, which are necessary to take more advanced courses in graduate study and/or technical training in the industry. It also covers basic networking knowledge, network configuration and programming experience, and in-depth understanding of the inner-workings of computer networks and their evolution. Communication systems, from simple to asynchronous point-to-point links, to those based on complex network architectures will be studied. Material will be oriented toward the computer scientist as a user, designer and evaluator of such systems.

Announcement

What is new?
• Nov 25: Enjoy Thanksgiving!
• Nov 18: There is no class in the week of Nov 30 - Dec 4 as the instructor will be attending IEEE GLOBECOM 2010.
• Nov 18: the last homework assignment, textbook exercise questions 7.29, 7.33, 7.34, 7.57, 7.59, 8.2, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.9, 8.12, 8.20, 8.25; due Dec 7, 2009 (Mon) class time.
• Oct 14: homework II assigned, Homework 2 and textbook exercises 5.4(a)&(b), 5.22, 5.52, 5.53; due Oct 26 class time.
• Sep 30: midterm is scheduled on Oct 7, Wed, class time; coverage is here in PDF.
• Sep 24: Apache has a "Commons-Math" project that has several classes that can be used for generating various distributions using Java. If you want to do projects using Java, refer to http://commons.apache.org/math/.
• Sep 14: Homework assignment 1 is available, ; Turn in the hardcopy in an envelope at class time on Sep 21, Monday. See Textbook exercises: 2.4, 2.6, 2.10, 2.19, 2.28, 2.39(b), 3.2, 3.60, 3.62, 3.63, and
  A-1: What is the even parity bit for a binary code 10001010?
  A-2:An 8-bit byte with binary value 10101111 is to be encoded using an even-parity hamming code. What is the binary value after encoding?
  A-3:A 12-bit hamming code whose hexadecimal value is 0xE4F arrives at a receiver. What was the original value in hexadecimal. Assume that not more than 1 bit is in error.
  A-4:Given bit error rate p = 10^-6, in a 10-bit block, what is the probability of single bit errors and double bit errors.
• Sep 10: two more interesting papers added to the reading options.
• Sep 2: Help Needed: Can someone give Michael a ride to uccs M&W afternoons for CS522/CS591? He lives near Powers and Stetson Hills. Due to his recent medical condition, he was not able to drive. Thanks. Contact him Michael.J.Menozzi@mdnt.com, or call 596-9308.
• Aug 31: the reading and project assignments are available; see Reading and Project Assignments below (look out the due times).

Required Backgrounds

• Prerequisite: Prerequisites are CS420/520 (Computer Architecture) and CS450/550 (Operating Systems)
• You should have background of C/C++/C# Programming and/or Java.
• If you want to take the class without the prerequisite, you have to get permission from the instructor. If approved, it is your responsibility to makeup for the prerequisite.

Textbook

• Required: Alberto Leon-Garcia and Indra Widjaja, "Communication Networks", 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill, 2004, ISBN 0-07-246352-X. The text may be complemented by some additional reading assignments.

Course Tentative Schedules

• Introduction to Computer Communications
• Layered Architectures and Socket API
• Digital Transmission Fundamentals
• Peer-to-Peer Protocols and Data Link Layer
• Medium Access Control Protocols and Local Area Networks
• Packet-Switching Networks
• TCP/IP
• Advanced Network Architectures and Applications
• Research project presentations

Reading and Project Assignments

• Assignment is available HERE. The reading assignment is due class time of Sep 30 (Wed). Project part 1 is due class time of Oct 19 (Monday). The project part 2 is due before the class time of Nov 30 (Monday).

Exam Schedules

• Midterm tentatively scheduled: 4:30pm -- 5:45pm, Wednesday, Oct 7, 2009; ENG 107; No Make-up exam.
• Final Exam: 4:30pm -- 7:00pm, Wed, Dec 16, 2009; ENG 107; No Make-up exam.
• All exams are close-book and close-notes. However, you are allowed to carry one double-side hand-writing help sheet of 8.5 by 11in.
• The final exam is comprehensive, with the focus on the materials covered after the midterm.
• The best way to prepare for exams is to re-do lecture examples and homework assignments, review the textbook according to the lecture notes, and of course attend all lectures.
• If you schedule another exam that overlaps with these exams, you need to make arrangements with the other instructor to take that exam at another time.
• In case of any change, it will be announced in the class and on the course Web site 1-2 weeks before the change.

Grading Scale

Borderline cases will be resolved by student participation in class providing intelligent questions, informative comments, and constructive criticisms.

Grading Percentage

All exams will be graded by the instrutor himself.

The attendance policy is as follows: There will be a few times of attendance check, randomly given in the semester. For each absence, the attendance percentage is reduced proportionally. Exceptions to this policy will be made only in extreme cases, due to circumstances beyond your control and which were unforeseen at the beginning of the semester. If you are aware of classes you will need to miss because of business trips, or athletic events, please discuss with the instructor before the event occurs. If you arrive too late or leave early, you may be marked absent for that class. .

Course Policy

• The last day to drop the class without special permission from your dean is Oct 31, 2008.
• If you have a disability for which you are requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Office within the first week of classes. The Disability Services Office is located in Main Hall #105. (Phone # is 262-3354)
• Students are required to attend all lectures. Missing lectures are extremely risky since the teaching pace is fast and the course is heavy! If you will miss a class due to a business travl, please inform the instructor as early so that the absence can be granted.
• Homework (project) assignments are important part of the course and are to be completed individually. Assignments should be due in class on the due date in hard-copy. No email submission.
• Late homework, readling assignment, and project submission: loses 30% of its value per day, except under extreme non-academic circumstances, such as illness. In such cases, you have to provide sufficient and convincing proof, i.e., documents from the doctors.
• For FAIRNESS, no make-up examinations, except under extreme non-academic circumstances, such as illness. In such cases, you have to provide sufficient and convincing proof, i.e., documents from the doctors.
• Adherence to the University's Code of Ethics will be strictly monitored and enforced. This will be applicable to assignments, projects and examinations.
• Academic Integrity violations, such as plagiarism, cheating on an exam etc., will result in a series of actions and penalties including the student failing the class.
• Any work submitted for a grade must include the following statement and be signed and dated. If this is missing or not signed and dated, the work will be returned ungraded.
• I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance on this work.
• Signed:
• Date: