CNT5008 Computer Communication Networks Architecture

Fall 2021

Class description: Computer networks, layers, protocols and interfaces, local area networks networking.
Course objectives:
  • The student will be able to develop an understanding of the key principles of computer networks and protocol design for the Internet and wireless networks.
  • The student will understand the tradeoffs and limitations of the different design approaches for network/Internet protocols.
  • The student will attain improved skills of solving and analyzing network design problems
Instructor: Dr. Lotzi Bölöni
Office: HEC - 319
Phone: (407) 823-2320 (on last resort)
E-mail: Ladislau.Boloni@ucf.edu (preferred means of communication)
Web Site: http://www.cs.ucf.edu/~lboloni/Teaching/CNT5008_Fall2021/index.html
The assignments and the other announcements will be posted on the course web site
Classroom: HEC 103
Class Hours: Tue, Th 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Office Hours: Tue, Th 6:00PM - 7:30PM
See webcourses announcement for Zoom link.
Pre-requisites: The class does not depend on the undergraduate computer networks class, however some understanding of computer architecture, such as provided by EEL 4768C is helpful.
Required texts: There is no required textbook.
Recommended readings:
  • Computer Networking - A Top Down Approach by Kurose and Ross (7th edition)
Grading:
  • Only full grades will be used based on the points obtained. A for 90 and above, B for 80-89, C for 70-79, F for lower than 70.
  • Points awarded: Midterm 1: 20 points, Midterm 2: 20 points, Homeworks/Projects: 30 points total, Final exam 30 points.
  • Some midterms, exams and homeworks will have bonus points, but no curve will be applied.
  • The exams will be administered through ProctorHub, and are open book, open notes.
  • Make up exams will be given only in justified cases.
Sample exams Sample Midterm 1
Sample Midterm 2
Sample Final Exam
Note: you should not expect that the new exams will be just variations with different data.
Integrity: The department, college, and University are committed to honesty and integrity in all academic matters. We do not tolerate academic misconduct by students in any form, including cheating, plagiarism and commercial use of academic materials. Please consult the Golden Rule Handbook for the procedures which will be applied.
Verification of engagement: As of Fall 2014, all faculty members are required to document students' academic activity at the beginning of each course. In order to document that you began this course, please complete the following academic activity by the end of the first week of classes, or as soon as possible after adding the course, but no later than August 27. Failure to do so will result in a delay in the disbursement of your financial aid.
To satisfy this requirement, you must finish the first quiz posted online. Log in to Webcourses, choose CNT 5008, and submit your answers online.
Course accessibility: The University of Central Florida is committed to providing access and inclusion for all persons with disabilities. Students should connect with Student Accessibility Services (Ferrell Commons 185, sas@ucf.edu, phone (407) 823-2371). Through Student Accessibility Services, a Course Accessibility Letter may be created and sent to professors, which informs faculty of potential access and accommodations that might be reasonable. If you are a deployed active duty military student and feel that you may need a special accommodation due to that unique status, please contact your instructor to discuss your circumstances.
Campus safety: Emergencies on campus are rare, but if one should arise in our class, everyone needs to work together. Students should be aware of the surroundings and familiar with some basic safety and security concepts.
  • In case of an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.
  • Every UCF classroom contains an emergency procedure guide posted on a wall near the door. Please make a note of the guide's physical location and consider reviewing the online version.
  • If there is a medical emergency during class, we may need to access a first aid kit or AED (Automated External Defibrillator). To learn where those items are located in this building, see the link (click on link from menu on left).
  • To stay informed about emergency situations, sign up to receive UCF text alerts by going to my.ucf.edu and logging in. Click on "Student Self Service" located on the left side of the screen in the tool bar, scroll down to the blue "Personal Information" heading on your Student Center screen, click on "UCF Alert," fill out the information, including your e-mail address, cell phone number, and cell phone provider, click "Apply" to save the changes, and then click "OK."

Syllabus

Date
Topic
Lecture Notes, Readings, Homeworks
Tue., Aug. 24
 Introduction
  • What is the internet?
  • Protocols
[slides] 01 - Introduction
Homework 1: Introduce yourself.
Thu., Aug. 26
 Introduction (cont'd)
  • Network edge
  • Network core
  • Delay, loss, throughput
Tue., Aug. 31
 Introduction (cont'd)
  • Protocol layers, service models
  • Security
  • History
Thu., Sep. 2
 Class cancelled due to football game.
Tue., Sep. 7 The application layer
  • Application layer protocol features
  • The world wide web: HTTP
  • Email: SMTP
 [slides] 02-ApplicationLayer
Thu., Sep. 9
 The application layer (cont'd)
  • The domain name system (DNS)
 Homework 2: Application layer protocols. Due September 27th
Tue., Sep. 14
 The transport layer
  • Multiplexing and demultiplexing
  • UDP
 [slides] 03-TransportLayer
Thu., Sep. 16
 The transport layer(cont'd)
  • Creating a reliable communication channel
Tue., Sep. 21
 The transport layer(cont'd)
  • Go-back N
  • Selective retransmission
Thu., Sep. 23
Tue., Sep. 28
 The transport layer(cont'd)
  • TCP segment structure
  • TCP reliable data transfer
  • TCP flow control
  • TCP connection management
  • TCP congestion control
Thu., Sep. 30
 Midterm 1 (intro+app+transport layer)
Tue., Oct. 5

Thu., Oct. 7
 The network layer - the data plane
[slides] 04-NetworkLayer-DataPlane
Tue., Oct. 12
 The network layer - the data plane (cont'd)
Thu., Oct. 14
 The network layer - the data plane (cont'd)
Tue., Oct. 19
 The network layer - the control plane
 [slides] 05-NetworkLayer-ControlPlane
Homework 3: Wireshark, network and link layer protocols. Due November 8-th.
Thu., Oct. 21
 The network layer - the control plane (cont'd)
Tue., Oct. 26
 The link layer
[slides] 06-LinkLayer
Thu., Oct. 28
 The link layer (cont'd)
  • Ethernet
  • Switching

Tue., Nov. 2
 Midterm 2 (network+link layer)
Thu., Nov. 4
 The link layer (cont'd)
Tue., Nov. 9
Thu., Nov. 11
 Veterans' Day - No classes
Tue., Nov. 16

Thu., Nov. 18
 The link layer (cont'd)
  • Switches
  • VLANs
  • MPLS
  • A day in the life of a web request
Tue., Nov. 23
 Wireless networks
  • Elements of wireless networks
  • Spectrum consideration
  • CDMA
 [slides] 07-WirelessNetworks
Thu., Nov. 26
 Thanksgiving break - no class

Tue., Nov. 30
 Wireless networks (cont'd)
  • 802.11 WiFi intro
  • CSMA/CA
Thu., Dec. 2
 Wireless networks (cont'd)
  • Addressing in 802.11 WiFi intro
  • Mobile IP
Dec. 7
 Final exam
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
1:00 PM - 3:50 PM