CSCI E-132

Overview:

The aim of the course is to provide in-depth explorations of a number of topics necessary to designing and supporting modern data networks. It also covers some of the Internet governance and standardization issues. The course is not intended to be a substitute for a general course in communications protocols, network architecture or network management.

From the catalogue:

This course provides an in-depth exploration of a number of topics important in the design and operation of modern IP data networks—both corporate and Internet service provider. It is intended for people who are involved in the details of data network planning, design, or support. Topics include the architecture of the Internet, IPv3/IPv6, TCP, network management, Internet telephony, quality of service, network security, routing theory and practice, wireless networking, and MPLS. Prerequisite: a basic understanding of data networks or CSCI E-131b.

Readings:

All assigned readings will be available over the Internet. References may include material not on-line but only the on-line material is required for the course. Reading assignments will be posted on http://www.sobco.com/e.132/index.html and http://www2.sobco.com/e.132/index.html. (These two sites are on different servers - try www first but if that does not work try www2.

Lectures:

Lectures will be Fridays from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm U.S. Eastern time in Maxwell Dworkin G xxx and will be streamed live. The lectures will assume that the students will have read the assigned readings before the lecture. The recorded web version of the lectures should be posted by 5pm U.S. Eastern time the Monday following the lecture except where there is a Monday holiday in which case the web version should be posted by 5pm Tuesday.

Exams

The exams are open-book take-home. The exams will be posted at about 8pm U.S. Eastern time (after the lecture) and due (via email) at 4:30pm U.S. Eastern time a week later. The final exam is cumulative and covers the entire course. The exams include the material from the lecture on the day the exam is posted. Exams must be individual work, working together on the exams is not permitted.

Grading:

The mid term exam counts for 40% of the course grade and the final exam counts for 60%.

Extra Credit Projects:

Special extra credit projects are possible upon prior request. Any extra credit is added to the class grade. All projects must be original work by the individual student. They cannot be material used in another class or copied from the other sources (such as the web). We are required to report any evidence of plagiarism to the Extension School authorities.

Office Hours:

Fridays at 4:00. Schedule in advance via email (sob@harvard.edu).