MCS 377: Networking

Overview

We will examine several key challenges of networking, such as application-level interoperability, transport-level congestion control, and network-level routing. For each of these challenges, we will examine the specific response embodied in the current Internet protocol suite and the systems implementing it. However, we will also keep an eye out for the broader possibilities for potential future protocols and systems.

Office hours

I welcome visitors to my office (OHS 304) on a drop-in basis as well as by appointment. You may send me electronic mail at .

World Wide Web

All course materials will be available through my World Wide Web page. The URL for this course is https://gustavus.edu/~sskulrat/Courses/2018S-377/.

Text and readings

The primary text for this course is Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet, 7th ed, by James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross, Pearson, 2017. Numerically specified readings in the syllabus refer to its chapters and sections.

Lab Projects

In the course of the semester, you will complete 4 projects. In each case, I will indicate what I expect of you. A project report that meets those expectations is due by class time on the date specified in the course schedule. For each project, there are two days shown in the schedule for us to work together in our usual classroom. However, you will often need to spend additional time on the project outside of class.

Homework assignment policy

You are to select your own homework questions and problems. Each of the first seven chapters in the textbook ends with review questions and problems. You may submit any of these, preferably by email, though hardcopy is also acceptable. If I indicate that your initial solution is inadequate, you can submit a revised version as many times as are necessary to succeed. For each question or problem you eventually succeed at, you will receive one percentage point toward your course grade up to a maximum of 18%. Other than that, the restrictions are as follows:

You will receive credit for at most three questions or problems in each chapter, though you may submit initial attempts on more than that.

The beginning of class on the review date before each test is the final deadline for all chapters covered before then.

You may not choose any question or problem that we have previously worked as a class.

I will return each homework submission to you as quickly as I can but normally with only an indication of whether it is acceptable or needs more work. The reason why I won’t write much about the work I turn back to you is because I would like to talk with you face-to-face. If a problem needs more work, you should treat that as an invitation to come talk with me about it. Once you’ve done the additional work, you may turn the problem in again. If you are using hardcopy, please attach the prior version.

Review questions should always be individual work, but you may work on any of the problems in a group of two or three students. One copy of the solution produced by the team should be turned in with all team members’ names on it. I will take this to be your assertion under the Gustavus Honor Code that all team members contributed fairly to the problem solution.

Presentations

At the end of the semester I’ll sit back and relax and let students teach the class instead. Each of you will do this together with a partner. Each pair of students will have 30 minutes to present one of the papers we read from a conference. The whole class will be expected to read the paper at least casually, but the students leading the class will be expected to have read it more carefully and done whatever it takes to really understand it, which may involve additional background reading, talking with me, etc.

I will provide a list of attributes that good presentations have. For each presentation, each student in the audience will be asked to select two of these attributes that were particular strong points and two that particularly need work. I will summarize this feedback for the presenters. I will also use the same list of attributes to structure my own evaluation of the presentation.

I’m going to ask you to express a preference ranking for the topics and will try to the extent possible to assign people to topics based on that. I suggest you read the abstracts of the papers to help determine your preferences.

Tests

There will be two intra-term exams as shown on the schedule and a final exam as scheduled by the registrar.

My default assumption is that students will take the final together. Therefore, I would ask you to please be respectful and quiet, even after completing your exam, so that your fellow students have a good test-taking environment. However, if you prefer to take the exam in a separate room, please contact me in advance and I will try to arrange it.

Tests will be closed-book and mostly closed-notes. You may, however, use a single 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper with hand-written notes for reference. (Both sides of the sheet are OK.)

Honor

Students are encouraged to discuss the course, including issues raised by the assignments. However, the solutions to assignments should be individual original work unless otherwise specified. If an assignment makes you realize you don’t understand the material, ask a fellow student a question designed to improve your understanding, not one designed to get the assignment done. To do otherwise is to cheat yourself out of understanding, as well as to be intolerably dishonorable.

Any substantive contribution to your solution by another person or taken from a publication or web site should be properly acknowledged in writing. Failure to do so is plagiarism and will necessitate disciplinary action.

The same standards regarding plagiarism apply to team projects as to the work of individuals, except that the author is now the entire team rather than an individual. Anything taken from a source outside the team should be be properly cited.

One additional issue that arises from the team authorship of project reports is that all team members must stand behind all reports bearing their names. All team members have quality assurance responsibility for the entire project. If there is irreconcilable disagreement within the team it is necessary to indicate as much in the report.

You are expected to be familiar with the college academic honesty honor code policy and to comply with that policy. If you have any questions about it, please ask.

Late lab assignments

All lab reports are due at the beginning of class on the day indicated. Late reports will be penalized by one “grade notch” (such as A to A- or A- to B+) for each weekday late or fraction thereof.

If you are too sick to complete an assignment on time, you will not be penalized. Simply write “late due to illness” at the top of the assignment, sign your name and hand it in. Other circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Grading

The course components will contribute to your final grade in the proportions indicated below:

24% Labs (4 @ 6% each)
18% Homework (based on the number done; see above)
7% Presentation
51% Exams (3 @ 17% each)

Style guidelines

All homework and lab reports should be readily readable, and should not presuppose that I already know what you are trying to say. Use full English sentences where appropriate (namely almost everywhere) and clear diagrams, programs, etc. Remember that your goal is to communicate clearly and that the appearance of these technical items plays a role in this communication process. Be sure your assignments are either submitted online or stapled together with your name on them.

Accessibility Resources

Gustavus Adolphus College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its programs. If you have a documented disability, or you think you may have a disability of any nature (e.g., mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical) and, as a result, need reasonable academic accommodation to participate in class, take tests or benefit from the College’s services, then you should speak with the Accessibility Resources staff, for a confidential discussion of your needs and appropriate plans. Course requirements cannot be waived, but reasonable accommodations may be provided based on disability documentation and course outcomes. Accommodations cannot be made retroactively; therefore, to maximize your academic success at Gustavus, please contact Accessibility Resources as early as possible. Accessibility Resources (https://gustavus.edu/care/accessibility/) is located in the Center for Academic Resources and Enhancement. Accessibility Resources Coordinator, Kelly Karstad, ( or x7138), can provide further information.

Help for Multilingual Students

Support for English learners and multilingual students is available through the Center for International and Cultural Education’s (https://gustavus.edu/cice/) Multilingual and Intercultural Program Coordinator (MIPC), Carly Overfelt (). The MIPC can meet individually with students for tutoring in writing, consulting about academic tasks, and helping students connect with the College’s support systems. When requested, the MIPC can consult with faculty regarding effective classroom strategies for English learners and multilingual students. If requested, the MIPC can provide students with a letter to a professor that explains and supports appropriate academic arrangements (e.g., additional time on tests, additional revisions for papers). Professors make decisions based on those recommendations at their own discretion. In addition, English learners and multilingual students can seek help from peer tutors in the Writing Center (https://gustavus.edu/writingcenter/).

Mental Wellbeing

The Gustavus community is committed to and cares about all students. Strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol or drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating, and/or lack of motivation may affect a student’s academic performance or reduce a student’s ability to participate in daily activities. If you or someone you know expresses such mental health concerns or experiences a stressful event that can create barriers to learning, Gustavus services are available to assist you. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential health services available on campus at https://gustavus.edu/counseling/ and https://gustavus.edu/deanofstudents/services/.

Title IX: Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Resources

Gustavus Adolphus College recognizes the dignity of all individuals and promotes respect for all people. As such, we are committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination including sexual and gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence like sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or is experiencing these types of behaviors, know that you are not alone. Resources and support are available; you can learn more online at https://gustavus.edu/titleix/.

Please know that if you choose to confide in me, I am mandated by the College to report to the Title IX Coordinator, because Gustavus and I want to be sure you are connected with all the support the College can offer. Although it is encouraged, you are not required to respond to outreach from the College if you do not want to. You may speak to someone confidentially by contacting the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART/CADA), Chaplains, Counseling Center, or Health Service staff; conversations with these individuals can be kept strictly confidential. SART/CADA can be reached 24 hours a day at 507-933-6868. You can also make a report yourself, including an anonymous report, through the form at https://gustavus.edu/titleix/.

Research Help

You can always get help with your research at the library. Reference librarians will help you find information on a topic, develop search strategies for papers and projects, search library catalogs and databases, and provide assistance at every step. Drop-ins and appointments are both welcome. Visit https://gustavus.edu/library/reference_question.php for hours, location, and more information.