CS 365: Computer Networking

Course Description:

This course provides an overview of computer networking concepts. Course topics include (but are not limited to): protocol layer stack, circuit switching vs. packet switching, connectionless vs. connection-oriented services, transmission media, routing, Ethernet, LAN topologies. Optionally, the course may include hands-on projects. For example, students may be asked to install and configure Linux network applications or write networking programs. Prerequisite: CS 151 and CS 208. 3:0:3.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Explain and apply basic computer networking concepts including (but not limited to):
   • Basic computer networking concepts including Circuit-switching and Packet-switching, Residential access networks (point-to-point, dialup modem, ISDN, ADSL, cable modem), Physical media (twisted pair, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable), Protocol layer stack, Client-Server paradigm, and Packet-switched network delay calculation
   • Application-layer applications including Telnet, FTP, DNS, HTTP, SMTP
   • Other state of art topics including Wireless and Mobile Networks, and Security in Computer Network.
2. Explain and apply these transport-layer concepts:
   • UDP protocol
   • TCP protocol
   • Reliable data transfer
   • Flow control
   • Congestion control
3. Explain and apply these network-layer concepts:
   • IP protocol
   • IPv4 addressing.
   • Routing
4. Explain and apply these link-layer and local area network concepts:
   • Network topologies - bus, star, ring
   • Error detection and correction
   • ARP
   • Ethernet
   • Token ring
   • Hubs, switches, and bridges

Teaching Directives:	Linkage to Learning Outcome #:
Homework Assignments:
Assign a sufficient amount of homework such that all of the above objectives are covered.	All
For each homework assignment, include problem-solving questions that require the student to apply the above objectives.	All
For each homework assignment, include short-essay questions that require the student to effective communicate the technical content of the above objectives.	All
For certain homework assignments, include critical-thinking questions that require the student to evaluate and analyze the network situation, and provide a suitable solution (hardware and/or software) for the network.	All
Exams:
Include one or more of: short essay, short answer, multiple choice, multiple answer, mathematical calculation, network design.	All
Given a problem description, apply an appropriate networking solution.	All

Textbooks

To view the approved textbook list, click here.