Princeton University
Computer Science Dept.

Computer Science 461
Computer Networks

Spring 2004
Directory
General Information | Assignments

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 systems (naming, security, caching) and the design of network services (multimedia, peer-to-peer networks, file and web servers, content distribution networks). Prerequisite: COS 217.

Administrative Information

Lectures: MW 1:30-2:50, Room: 108 Friend Center

Professor: Vivek Pai
Office: 322 CS Building
Phone: 258-2086
Office Hours: MW 3:00-4:00, or by appointment
Email: vivek@cs.princeton.edu


Teaching Assistant: KyoungSoo Park

Office: 316 CS Building
Phone: 258-5386
Office Hours: Tue 3:00-4:00 in room 301, Wed 4:30-5:30 in room 301
Email: kyoungso at cs.princeton.edu


Undergrad Coordinator: Tina McCoy

Office: 410 CS Building
Phone: 258-1746
Email: tmmccoy@cs.princeton.edu


Discussion Forum: pu.cs.461 newsgroup 

Textbook

Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, Peterson and Davie (3rd edition). Morgan Kaufmann.

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 strongly recommended.
Due Dates:
Programming projects are due at 11:59 pm on the date specified.  Students/groups are given a total of 5 late days for the semester, which may be used to submit assignments late without penalty. Otherwise, late penalties accrue at the rate of 20% 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:
Exams:  40%
Programing Projects:  60%
These weights are subject to minor adjustments.

   February
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
 1  2  3  4  5  6  7
 8  9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29
 
02 -  Lecture 1 - Introduction - jpg, ppt
Chapter 1
04 -  Lecture 2 - Introduction (cont) - jpg, ppt, followup
09 -  Lecture 3 - Point-to-Point Links - jpg, ppt, followup
Sections 2.1-2.5
11 -  Lecture 4 - Shared Media - jpg, ppt, followup
Sections 2.6-2.8
Project 1 Assigned
16 -  Lecture 5 - Switched Networks - jpg, ppt, followup
Sections 3.1 - 3.3
18 -  Lecture 6 - IP and the Internet - jpg, ppt, followup
Section 4.1
23 -  Lecture 7 - Scalable Routing - jpg, ppt
Sections 4.2-4.4
25 -  Lecture 8 - MPLS & finishing IP
Section 4.5
Project 2 Assigned
27 -
 Project 1 Due

 

     March
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
    1  2  3  4  5  6
 7  8  9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
 
01 -  Lecture 9 - Transport Protocols and TCP - jpg, ppt, followup
Sections 5.1 - 5.2
03 -  Lecture 10 - TCP (cont)
08 - Lecture 11 - Congestion Control - jpg, ppt
Sections 6.1-6.4
10 -  Midterm Exam - samples 99, 00, 01
13 -  Spring recess begins
21 -  Spring recess ends
22 -  Lecture 12 - finish TCP congestion control
Section 6.5
24 -  Lecture 13 - Quality of Service - jpg, ppt
Sections 7.2 & 9.3
Project 3 Assigned
26 -
 Project 2 Due
29 -  Lecture 14 - Multimedia - jpg, ppt
Sections 5.3 & 7.1
31 -
Lecture 15 - Remote Procedure Call - jpg, ppt
Sections 3.1.4 & 3.4

 

     April
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
-- -- -- --  1  2  3
 4  5  6  7  8  9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
 
05 -  Pai out sick
07 -  Lecture 16 - Switches and Routers - jpg, ppt
(covered first part)
12 -  Lecture 17 - DNS - jpg, ppt
Section 9.1
14 -  Lecture 18 - Replication - jpg, ppt
19 -  Lecture 19 - Overlays
Section 9.4.0, 9.4.1
21 -  Lecture 20 - Peer-to-Peer Networks - jpg, ppt
Section 9.4.2
Project 4 Assigned
23 -
 Project 3 Due
26 -  Lecture 21 - Content Distribution Networks - jpg, ppt
Section 9.4.3
28 - 

 

      May
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
-- -- -- -- -- --  1
 2  3  4  5  6  7  8
 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
 
03 -  Reading period begins
11 -  Reading period ends
Dean's date
Project 4 Due
Project 5 (extra credit) Due 
12 -  Final exams begin
?? -  ?? Final Exam, room ??