Princeton University
Computer Science Dept.

Computer Science 461
Distributed Computing and Networking

Larry Peterson

Spring 2000


Directory
General Information | Assignments | Lectures

Course Summary

This course studies computer networks and the services built on top of them. Topics include packet-switch and multi-access networks, routing and flow control, congestion control and quality-of-service, Internet protocols (IP, TCP, BGP), the client-server model and RPC, elements of distributed computing (naming, security, caching, synchronization) and the design of network services (multimedia, file and web servers). Prerequisite: 318.


Administrative Information

Lectures: TTh 9:00-10:20am, Room: CS 103

Professor: Larry Peterson - 308 CS Building - 258-6077 llp@cs.princeton.edu

Teaching Assistant:Tammo Spalink - 315 CS Building - 258-1795 tspalink@cs

Newsgroup: pu.cos.461


Textbooks

Required:
Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, Peterson and Davie (2nd edition). Morgan Kaufmann.

Recommended:
Distributed Systems: Concepts and Design, Coulouris, Dollimore, and Kindberg (2nd edition). Addison Wesley.

Policies

Lecture:
Attendance at lectures is expected but will not be recorded. Students are, however, fully responsible for all material presented in lectures. Class attendance is stronly recommended.

Due Dates:
Programs are due at 11:59 pm on the date specified. Assignments may be turned in up to one week late, at a penalty of 10% per day. Exceptions to these rules will be made only under exceptional circumstances, and then only with an appropriate written excuse.

Exams:
Exams are scheduled in advance. Unless prior arrangements are made, a grade of zero will be recorded for missed exams.

Newsgroup:
Please monitor the newsgroup regularly because we will use it to make announcements. You are expected to be aware of any material posted by the Professor or TA.

Grading:
The grade weighting for the semester will be:
Class Participation:  5%
Midterm:  15%
Final: 15%
Programing Assignments:  65%
These weights are subject to minor adjustments.