1. Computer Networks CNT5106C
Fall, 2018
Ye Xia
(Pronounced as “Yeh Siah”)

2. How is the course conducted?
The lecture slides are posted on the course web page.
Please follow the lecture schedule and read the chapters ahead.
Assignments are all posted on Canvas.
Critical dates are posted on the web page and Canvas.

3. Course Coverage Overview of communication networks
Focus on the Internet; but also think about other networks
Will teach networking knowledge
Pick up concepts, jargons and technologies
Special attention will be paid to engineering the network
Principles and design of the network
Protocols
Algorithms
Always consider: what are the issues and how they are solved?
Principles and design are eventually embodied in the protocols/algorithms, which will be our focus.

4. Coverage Basic: network protocol layers
Application
Transport
Networking
Data Link
Integrated, advanced, or specialized topics
Quality of service framework and mechanisms
Wireless networks
Peer-to-peer networks
network resource allocation
network security

5. Principles and Design
Most communication networks are giant infrastructure. A lot is at stake. Need
Careful and good design, and/or
Can be evolved
Objective: what is it used for
Limited or unlimited?
What is its architecture ?
Specify different components and what they do
How they are realized: implementation and technologies
What are the design principles: for coping with complexity
To ease designer, implementer, or user’s lives

6. Protocols and Algorithms
Algorithms: formal procedure to accomplishing some task.
Protocols: governs the information exchange and collective behavior of distributed entities
For certain tasks
These are important components in networks
Each piece can also be complex
Also need some design principles
Network algorithms are distributed, hence, the need of protocols.

7. Network Programming Learn network programming
through project
not a focus of the lectures; but important
You can do much more yourselves.

8. Why This Course? Obvious:
Learn about the internals of the Internet
Learn about communication networks in general
Learn network programming
Related to other core areas of CS: (distributed) operating systems
For some: continue with advanced network courses
Less obvious: Learn about distributed, complex systems
Typical issues, solutions, design and architecture
Coping with complexity and scale

9. Textbook Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 7th Edition
by James F. Kurose & Keith W. Ross
Important to have access to the 7th edition
Homework questions and labs are from the textbook

10. Course Web Page Course home page: http://www.cise.ufl.edu/~yx1
You will find
Lecture slides and supplemental materials
Reading assignments
Project information
Contact information
Syllabus
Critical dates

11. Canvas Use
Go to and log in with your gatorlink account
Distribute homework, solutions, and project
Post assignment grades
Post announcements, which will be ed to your gatorlink accounts.
Submissions of homework and project

12. Requirements Homework assignments (6) – 10%
One programming project (25%)
Exams: each two hours long
Midterm – 30% (Oct. 9, Tuesday, in class)
Final – 35% (Dec. 4 , Tuesday, 3-5 pm)
Final covers material after the midterm.

13. Attendance Please show up in classes.
There will likely be a bump-up in the letter grade for good attendance and other show of effort.
I will do sampling of who regularly attend the lectures.

14. Homework Distributed by Canvas and emailed to you
Submit homework on Canvas

15. Homework: Important Note
Each exam will have at least 10% (maybe 20%) of the points coming directly from the homework questions.
This is in addition to the homework’s 10% direct contribution to your course grade.
Check homework solutions carefully for correctness.

16. Project One programming project Details will be posted later
on network programming, spread out
There is a mid-semester checkpoint
Final due date: Nov. 28, 11:59 pm
Team project: 3 persons per team
Java programming; C/C++ are also alright
Demo to TA for grading
Details will be posted later

17. Late Policies
Late homework will be accepted until one week after the original due date or until the solutions are posted, whichever is sooner.
Late homework submissions will face additional 30-point reduction (out of 100).
No late project please.

18. Office Hours Instructor:
Thursdays: 1:55 pm – 3:55 pm, or by appointment
TA and grader: see the course web page
Babak Alipour
Office Hours: Tuesday 10-11am; Wednesday 2-3pm; E309

19. Academic Honesty No copying of anything!
There will be severe penalty for plagiarism an other dishonest behavior.

20. EDGE Student Policies:
Homework: EDGE students will have three extra days (both week- and weekend days). For submissions, please submit online via Canvas.
Exams: EDGE students will have three extra business days for the exams.
Projects: The project due dates are as on-campus students.
EDGE students can work on the project individually. We will take that into consideration for grading. A project demo to the TA is not required. But, please write detailed instructions about the testing procedure. If you think it is easier, you can schedule a Skype session with the TA for a demo.