COSC650 Computer Networks

1. COSC650Computer Networks Dr. Robert J. Hammell II rhammell@towson.edu

2. Computer Networks COSC650 – Fall 2014 Meeting Times:Monday, 3:30-7:30pm, Bldg 6008 Professor:Dr. Robert J. Hammell II Office:462YR E-Mail:rhammell@towson.edu Phone:410-704-6050 Office Hours: Mon: Before/after class at APG Tues: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm 6:15 pm – 7:00 pm Thur: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Other times by appointment

3. Course Description: This course examines the key principles of computer networking including various protocols, network architectures, and networking technologies. While the course perspective is focused largely on that of a network designer, the viewpoints of networked application developers and network operators/managers are also used to highlight the major network design considerations and challenges. Topics include: basic networking concepts, network architecture, performance metrics, encoding, framing, error detection, stop-and-wait and sliding window protocols, LAN technologies (Ethernet and wireless), datagrams and virtual circuits, routing, multicast routing, end-to-end protocols, congestion control, congestion avoidance, and various associated protocols.

4. Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: • Define computer network, computer network architecture, and internetworking. • Discuss network scalability to support different networked applications. • Analyze and compute network performance. • Explain encoding, framing, error detection, and how to provide reliable links in spite of transmission problems. • Describe Ethernet and wireless LAN technologies. • Discuss the functions of switches, bridges and routers. • Explain routing, multicast routing, and the scalability issues of Internet routing. • Explain TCP congestion control and congestion avoidance. • Describe the functionality of IP and TCP, as well as protocols such as UDP, ARP, DHCP, ICMP, RIP, OSPF, BGP, RED, and others. • Explain subnetting and classful and classless internet addressing schemes. • Capture and analyze packets from the Internet to determine their contents and overall purpose.

5. COSC Graduate Program Objectives • Students can apply advanced skills in theoretical and applied computing principles and practices to solve a variety of problems. • Students will demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in a choice of application areas in Computer Science, including databases, networks, software engineering, security, and E-commerce. • Students can work effectively in teams and communicate effectively. • Students can design, develop, analyze, and evaluate software, software systems and algorithmic approaches. • Students will be well prepared for research and development in Computer Science in industry or academia.

6. Textbook: Peterson and Davie, Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, 5th Edition, Morgan Kaufmann, 2012. (ISBN: 978-0-12-385059-1)

7. Prerequisite: COSC 501 or equivalent Grading:

8. Exams: The exams will include questions from the lectures, textbook, homework, and any outside reading. Note that, under most circumstances, makeup exams will not be given. Please ensure your attendance on the scheduled exam dates.

9. Term Project: Students will be required to work in teams on a course project. Note that this project comprises 25% of the course grade. Details will be provided when the project is assigned. At least four weeks will be given for completion of the project.

10. Presentation: Part of the project will require each group to study a specific assigned topic and write a short but thorough paper addressing the subject area. Each group will then provide a presentation designed to educate the rest of the class regarding the particular topic. All group members should participate in the presentation; further details and requirements of the presentation will be provided.

11. Homework: Several homework assignments will be given throughout the semester to reinforce the topics discussed in class. Most will be individual assignments; unless the assignment is specifically and clearly indicated to be a team assignment it must be completed by individual effort only. **Note: I reserve the right to add announced or unannounced in-class quizzes as needed to gauge and/or motivate class involvement and comprehension. These will be counted as additional homework assignments.

12. Assignments: Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Any assignments that are submitted late will have 10% deducted from the total possible grade for each day that the assignment is late. Assignments submitted after the start of the class period count as one-day late. The normal procedure is to turn in completed assignments as a hardcopy at the beginning of the class for which they are due (there may be cases when emailed assignments are preferred – these will be announced). Emailed assignments are permitted if you will miss the class for which they are due, or to submit late assignments.

13. Attendance: Attendance will be taken in every class session. Absences are considered “excused” if they are for an illness, an illness or death of a relative, or a religious observance. If documentation is provided for an “excused” absence, it will not count against you and you will be given an opportunity to make up any in-class graded exercises that were missed; unexcused absences will cause the loss of any in-class exercise/quiz points that were missed. It is the student’s responsibility to seek out the instructor and provide documentation regarding any absence – absences will be presumed to be unexcused unless the student establishes otherwise. Note that students are expected to arrive at class on time!

14. Academic Dishonesty: The Towson University policy on academic integrity is in Appendix F of the Undergraduate Catalog and at http://www.towson.edu/studentaffairs/policies/. Academic dishonesty specifically includes acts of plagiarism, fabrication and falsification, cheating, complicity, and multiple submissions. Especially note that students may not re-use research papers submitted in other classes, group projects submitted in other classes, or work performed by someone else. Academic dishonesty is disrespectful to your fellow students and your professor. If an incident of academic dishonesty is discovered, the student or students involved will, at a minimum, receive a zero (0) on the related assignment(s).All occurrences of academic dishonesty will also be reported to the appropriate university officials. There will be no exceptions.

15. Repeating a course: University policy requires that we inform you that students may not repeat a course more than once without prior permission of the Academic Standards Committee. Dropping this course: For information about dropping the course, including the process for doing so, potential financial liability, grade impacts, etc. please refer to the TLN Student Information Sheet. Posting of grades: Please note that it is university and departmental policy not to post grades in a public place during or after the semester. If you would like to receive your individual grade at the end of the semester, please make arrangements with me.

16. Cell phones, laptops, etc.:Please ensure that all cell phones, beepers, and any other devices that can potentially disrupt the class are turned off each day upon entering the classroom. Such devices must also be in pockets, purses, bookbags, etc. and not out on the desk during class. Laptops are to be turned off and closed during class lectures. Web site: A link to the COSC650 web site can be found at: http://triton.towson.edu/~rhammell/ Students should check the site frequently for updates on assignments, assignment due dates, the day-to-day schedule, readings, and other announcements.

17. Day-to-day schedule Web site