COMPSCI514/ECE558 Computer Networks, Fall 2019

General Info

  • Class time & location : TuTh 11:45AM - 1:00PM @ Gross Hall 107

  • Instructor: Xiaowei Yang. Office hours: TuTh 2-3pm @ LSRC D336

  • Teaching Assistant: Zhenyu Zhou. Office hours: Mon 3-5pm @ LSRC D305

  • Teaching Assistant: Jiyao Hu. Office hours: Wed 3-5pm @ LSRC D305

Course Synopsis

CompSci 514/ECE 558 is an entry-level graduate course. It counts as an elective qual for CS graduate students. The main goal of this class is to teach how to design and build computer networks. We will study the guiding principles of network architecture design as well as techniques to address the fundamental challenges of networking. The topics we will cover include congestion control, packet scheduling, routing, software defined networking, datacenter networks, network function virtualization, programmable switches, network measurement, remote direct memory access, residential networks, peer-to-peer networks, and content distribution networks.

Prerequisite

This course requires that you have taken some entry-level computer systems course. A course like CompSci 356 or CompSci 310 will be ideal, but any other equivalent course is fine. This requirement may be waived for students who already have background knowledge in networked systems. You should also be proficient in at least one programming language such as Python. This online textbook offers an excellent introduction to computer networks. You can also pick up the necessary background knowledge by reading this book or this one.

Collaboration Policy

Students are encouraged to talk to each other, to the course staff, or to anyone else about any of the assignments, but individual assignments must be done individually. Assistance is limited to discussion of the problem and sketching general approaches to a solution.

Cheating Policy

Don't know if you are cheating? Please consult the Cheating Policy. If you are caught cheating, you will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct and you will receive a failing grade in the class.

Late Policy

  1. The deadline for any assignment can be extended with a 10% penalty per day.

  2. No deadline can be extended by more than two days. Assignments will NOT be accepted 48 hours after the due time.

  3. If you are ill, please contact the instructor and get a medical note.

Grading Policy

  • Exams: 40%

  • Projects: 40%

  • Homework: 20%