ECE 544: Computer Networks II, Spring 2009

This course is intended to provide an in-depth and practical understanding of modern computer networks that constitute the Internet. The scope includes network architecture, component technologies (both hardware and protocols) and specific systems. Emphasis will be on network protocols and related software implementation.

Meeting Time: Fridays, 4:45-7:30PM, Hill 116

Course Instructors: Dr. Hang Liu () Office Hours: 3:30-4:30 Fri or by appt (send email to request), CoRE510. Teaching Assistant: Mr. K.C. Huang (). Selected classes will be taught by guest lecturers.

Text: Peterson & Davie, “Computer Networks: A Systems Approach”, Morgan Kaufman, 4th ed. This is a required textbook used for about 60-70% of the material covered.Additional reading materials will be distributed or downloaded, including IEEE specs (e.g. 802.3 and 802.11), Internet RFC’s (e.g. 793, 768 & 791), and papers on specific systems.

Course Information: Website: Comet2 mailing list , Register for the mailing list at:

Grading Policy:

Class participation & homework(10%)

Midterm exam(20%)

Final exam (30%)

Network architecture paper(10%)

Software projects and reports (3 projects)(30%)

Course Outline: (Some topics may not be covered in sequence or may be omitted; includes some guest lectures)

L1-----1/23Overview of Networking Fundamentals

  • Network services and requirements
  • Network architecture
  • Layering and protocols
  • OSI architecture
  • Internet architecture
  • Network API’s/sockets & software implementation issues
  • Performance
  • Network design

L2-----1/30Link Layer, Shared Media Protocols and LANs

  • Link layer services
  • Framing & PPP protocol
  • Error detection & correction
  • ARQ & sliding window
  • Medium access control protocols
  • ALOHA, slotted ALOHA
  • CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA
  • Token ring
  • TDMA, dynamic TDMA
  • FDMA, CDMA
  • IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
  • IEEE 802.5 Token Ring
  • IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs

L3-----2/6Packet Switching

  • Bridges andSwitched Ethernet
  • Learning bridge
  • Spanning tree
  • Multicast
  • ATM
  • Cell switching
  • Cell format, SAR
  • VPI/VCI, signaling

L4-----2/13Internet Protocol (IP) Basics

  • IP address
  • ARP
  • DHCP
  • ICMP
  • intra-domain routing (RIP, OSPF)

L5------2/20Internet Protocol (IP) Advanced

  • subnets
  • classless inter-domain routing (CIDR)
  • inter-domain routing (BGP)
  • IPv6

L6------2/27IP Multicast

  • DVMRP
  • PIM

L7------3/6 Review

Network Hardware and Software

3/13Mid-term exam

L8-----3/27Midterm Review

L8-----4/3 Protocol project presentation

L9------4/10Transport layer protocols

  • UDP
  • TCP
  • RTP

L10------4/17Congestion Control and QoS

MPLS Basic

L11------4/24Mobile IP

Network Security

L12------5/1 System Case Studies and Research Topics (guest lecture)

  • Content distribution network and P2P network

---- Final Exam: Monday, May 11, 8:00 PM-11:00 PM, Location: SEC 210

Course Projects:

  1. Network architecture paper due on 3/24 (instructions to be given separately)
  2. Routing protocol and prototyping project due on 4/27 (instructions to be given separately)