Topics

This course introduces the basics of networking, ranging from sending bits over wires to the Web and distributed computing. We focus on the internetworking ground between these two extremes, particularly focusing on the engineering of the Internet - goals, constraints, solutions, and experiences. The outcome of this course for you should be an appreciation of the fundamental challenges of networking, design strategies of proven value, and common implementation technologies. Topics will include: framing, error correction, packet switching, multi-access (Ethernet), addressing and forwarding (IP), distance vector and link state routing, queueing and scheduling, reliable transport, congestion control (TCP), quality of service, naming (DNS), software defined networks (SDN), and security.

 
Exams

• Midterm: TBD, CSE2 G01
• Final: Thursday Dec. 12th, 8:30-10:20 am, CSE2 G01

 
Grades

• Midterm: 15%
• Final: 25%
• Assignments: 10%
• Surprise Quizzes: 5% (low score dropped)
• 3 Projects: (15 + 15 + 15)%

  Policies

(Many of these policies are taken verbatim from previous instances of this course.)

• Late Policy: There is a 10% penalty for each late day (a day is 24 hours, including weekends), or portion thereof. Each group gets three free late days - three days of lateness with no penalty - to use at your discretion on projects.
• Absence Policy: Students are expected to keep the course lecture time free and available, and quizzes will take place regularly during the lecture period. No quiz rescheduling will be offered in most cases, although all students will be able to drop their lowest quiz grade. More accommodations can be made for the midterm with advance notice and a valid justification.
• Reasonableness: No set of rules can apply perfectly in every setting. Reasonable exceptions can be made.
• Cheating vs. Collaboration: Collaboration is a very good thing. On the other hand, cheating is considered a very serious offense, and is vigorously prosecuted. Vigorous prosecution requires that you be advised of the cheating policy of the course before the offending act. For this course, the policy is simple: don't cheat. You know it when you're doing it. We'll recognize it when you do it.

  That said, collaborating is, for many people, an effective way to learn. Learning isn't cheating. Misrepresenting that you've learned something, or done the work that implies you've learned something, almost certainly is.