CompE560 : Computer Networks [Spring 2021]

Instructor	Dr. Junfei Xie https://smile.sdsu.edu/
Prerequisite	CompE 271 (Computer Organization) and EE 410 (Signals and Systems)
When/Where	T: 12:30-13:45pm; In-person lecture in room HT-183 Th: Watch lecture videos
Office Hours	T&Th: 2pm – 3pm (zoom via https://SDSU.zoom.us/j/82118164328 or by appointment)
TA*	Soumya Konery Satheeshkumar (Email: skonerysathees1956@sdsu.edu) Office hours: Tuesdays 3:30pm - 4:30pm (zoom via https://SDSU.zoom.us/j/82310115881)
Contact Info.	Email: jxie4@sdsu.edu
Required Text:	Computer Networks by A. Tanenbaum, 5th (4th or 6th) Edition

* For any questions related to programming assignments, contact the TA. For other questions, contact the instructor. 

 

Purpose:

This course will explore the fundamentals of computer networks. We shall study various aspects of data transfer from point A to point B in today’s Internet. We shall begin the course with a general overview of data networks and a discussion of protocols, and the TCP/IP protocol suite.

 

We shall then briefly study the key aspects of transmission, interfacing, link control and multiplexing.  Important concepts of wide area networks (WAN) like circuit and packet switching, routing and congestion control will be studied. Finally, we shall look into the IP, TCP and Application layers of the protocol stack.

 

Overall, this course shall leave you with a broad overview of computer networks and a strong grasp over the fundamentals of computer data networks. We will briefly study certain key concepts of wireless networks and a few state-of-the-art wireless technologies as well. I shall walk you through the various layers of the TCP/IP model and familiarize you with the issues/concerns/importance of every layer. We shall take the bottom-up approach meaning that we shall begin at the lowest layer and work our way up the protocol stack.

 

Programming Projects:

This course will have a OPNET assignment, a DHCP assignment and a socket programming assignment for which you will require a “Jason/Volta” account. If you do not already have one, please submit the Jason/Volta account creation request on https://ost.sdsu.edu/open.php. The IT Team will support you. 

 

Exams:

I will conduct four exams (3 short exams and 1 cumulative exam) during the course of the semester. The exams will be conducted in-person whenever possible. There will be no make-up exams, so please plan accordingly. The grading will be relative to the performance of the entire class.

 

Quizzes & Assignments:

This course requires the students to complete one or more quizzes during or after completing each module. 

This course also has 1 OPNET programming project assignment, 1 DHCP project assignment and 1 C-language based programming project assignment. Instructions on how to conduct these projects will be provided. 

Additionally, students will be required to read journal articles on two different cutting-edge research topics related to networking and/or do independent research on these topics. One research topic will be picked by the instructor and another research topic will be selected by the students themselves. Students' understandings on the selected research topics will be assessed through quizzes or research reports. I call these "research activity" (RA).

Late submissions are not accepted, so do not wait until the last minute, do the assignments ahead of time and submit in advance. You will not be able to upload your assignments after the deadline. 

 

Grade Distribution and General Comments:

• 3 short exams: 10% + 10% +10% = 30%
• Cumulative Exam: 30%
• Programming Projects: 7% + 5% + 13% = 25%
• Research Activity (RA): 5% + 5% = 10%
• Quizzes: 5%

This course requires a LOT of reading and will require some research on your own for the programming projects.

 

Course Schedule & Pacing Guide:                       

January/February 

1/20	Th	Explore Syllabus
1/25	T	Complete M1.1 in M1: Intro [Ch1]
1/27	Th	Complete M1.2 in M1: Intro [Ch1]
2/1	T	Complete M2.1 in M2: PHY [Ch2]                   (last day to drop classes 2/1)
2/3	Th	Complete M2.2 in M2: PHY [Ch2]
2/8	T	Complete M2.3 in M2: PHY [Ch2]
2/10	Th	Complete M3.1 in M3: Data Link [Ch 3]
2/15	T	Start to learn M3.2 in M3: Data Link [Ch 3]   &  Take Exam 1: Intro & PHY during class time
2/17	Th	Complete M3.2 & M3.3 in M3: Data Link [Ch 3]
2/22	T	Complete M3.4 in M3: Data Link [Ch 3]   & Submit  Project Assignment 1 on OPNET
2/24	Th	Complete M4.1 & M4.2 in M4: MAC [Ch 4]

 

March

3/1	T	Complete M4.3 & 4.4 in M4: MAC [Ch 4]
3/3	Th	Complete M4.5 in M4: MAC [Ch 4]  &  Take RA1 Quiz
3/8	T	Complete M5.1 & M5.2 in M5: Network [Ch 5]
3/10	Th	Complete M5.3 in M5: Network [Ch 5]
3/15	T	Complete M5.4 in M5: Network [Ch 5] & Take Exam 2: Data Link & MAC during class time
3/17	Th	Complete M5.5 & M5.6 in M5: Network [Ch 5]
3/22	T	Complete M5.7 and start to learn M5.8 in M5: Network [Ch 5]
3/24	Th	Complete M5.8 in M5: Network [Ch 5]
3/29	T	Spring Recess (No Class)

 

April

3/31	Th	Cesar Chavez Day (No Class)
4/5	T	Complete M5.9 in M5: Network [Ch5] & Complete M6.1, M6.2 in M6: Transport [Ch 6]
4/7	Th	Complete M6.3 & M 6.4 in M6: Transport [Ch 6]   &  Submit Project Assignment 2 on DHCP
4/12	T	Complete M6.5 in M6: Transport [Ch 6]  &  Take Exam 3: Network during class time
4/14	Th	Complete M6.6 in M6: Transport [Ch 6]
4/19	T	Complete M7.1 in M7: Application [Ch 7]
4/21	Th	Complete M7.2 in M7: Application [Ch 7]  & Submit RA2 Report
4/26	T	Learn M7.3 in M7: Application [Ch 7]
4/28	Th	Complete M7.3 in M7: Application [Ch 7]

May

5/3	T	Complete M7.4 in M7: Application [Ch 7]  & Submit Project Assignment 3 on Socket Programming
5/5	Th	Take Cumulative Term End Exam (May 12, 10:30am - 11:45am)

 

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This course will use the Canvas Learning Management System instead of Blackboard. To access your course log in at canvas.sdsu.edu, and sign in using your SDSUid.

Note: You are responsible for adjusting your notification settings in such a way that you receive ALL announcements regarding this class. All Canvas email notifications will be delivered to your SDSU email address. You can add additional email addresses and sign up for text/mobile app notifications via the settings in your Canvas Profile, and then adjust your notifications in the Notifications Tab. Canvas notifications are system wide and cannot be adjusted by course. Click here to view a step-by-step guide to add additional notification and contact methods. 

If you have technical issues with Canvas, please contact the SDSU Canvas 24/7 support line at 619.483.0632.

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