CSCE 416: Introduction to Computer Networks
Fall 2020
Note: This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Please check it regularly.
| Date | Topics | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 20 | Introduction: Course overview & logistics; Basic concepts of network structure |
Course syllabus, lecture 1 slides and recording are available at the Blackboard. Programming assignment 1 is posted on Blackboard. |
| Aug. 25 | Introduction: Basic concepts: Network edge, Network core, Delay, Loss, and Throughput |
Lecture 2 slides and recording are posted at the Blackboard; Virtual machine tutorial video is posted; |
| Aug. 27 | Application layer: Architectures; Socket communication; | Lecture 3 slides and recording are posted at the Blackboard |
| Sep. 1 | Application layer: Web and HTTP; | Lecture 4 slides are posted |
| Sep. 3 | Application layer: HTTP; Cookies; Caches; | Programming assignment 1 is due now; Programming assignment 2 is posted; Sample quiz is posted today; |
| Sep. 8 | Application layer: DNS; Revisit application layer; | |
| Sep. 10 | Transport layer: Services; Multiplexing and De-multiplexing; | Quiz 1 is posted; |
| Sep. 15 | Transport layer: UDP; Checksum; | |
| Sep. 17 | Transport layer: Principles of reliable data transfer; TCP introduction; |
Programming assignment 2 is due now; Programming assignment 3 is posted; |
| Sep. 22 | Transport layer: TCP handshake; TCP flow control; TCP connection termination; | |
| Sep. 24 | Transport layer: TCP congestion control; | Quiz 2 is posted; |
| Sep. 29 | Transport layer: Revisit UDP and TCP; | |
| Oct. 1 | Network layer: Router architecture; input/output queuing and relationship; |
|
| Oct. 6 | Network layer: IP addressing; Subnets; DHCP; |
|
| Oct. 8 | Journey down the three layers of protocol stack; Mid-term thoughts; |
Quiz 3 is posted; |
| Oct. 13 | Link layer: Services; MAC and ARP; | |
| Oct. 15 | Exam: Mid-term | Online on Blackboard |
| Oct. 20 | Link layer: Error and redundancy check; Synthesis for a web request |
|
| Oct. 22 | Link layer: Overview of multiple access protocol; ALOHA; CSMA; Token ring; |
Programming assignment 3 is due now; Quiz 4 is posted; |
| Oct. 27 | Link layer: Ethernet and switches; |
|
| Oct. 29 | Transport layer: Revisit UDP and TCP; Principles of reliable data transfer; Revisit TCP congestion control; Application layer: Revisit application and transport layer; |
Bonus Quiz is posted; |
| Nov. 3 | Network layer: Network control plane; graph abstraction; |
Asynchronous Remote Class |
| Nov. 5 | Network layer: Network control plane; graph abstraction; Link routing; Distance vector routing; |
Quiz 5 is posted; |
| Nov. 10 | Network layer: Compare LS and DV; Scalable routing; OSPF; BGP; |
|
| Nov. 12 | Network layer: Revisit routing algorithm; | Quiz 6 is posted; |
| Nov. 17 | Wireless networks: Overview; Architecture; Channel characteristics; | |
| Nov. 19 | Physical layer: Overview; chracteristics; | Quiz 7 is posted; |
| Nov. 24 | Physical layer: | Face-to-Face Instruction Ends |
| Nov. 26 | Thanksgiving Day (No Classes) | Happy Thanksgiving! |
| Dec. 1 | Transport layer: Revisit transport layer protocols; Glimpses to the future of computer networks; |
Asynchronous Remote Class |
| Dec. 3 | Course overview; Final exam thoughts; | Asynchronous Remote Class |
| Dec. 4 – 8 | Exam: Final | Time: 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm; Place: Online on Blackboard |