Syllabus: CS 756, Performance Analysis of Computer Networks

Sections 001/002

Spring 2003

Wednesday 7:20pm -- 10:00pm, ST 126

Prof. Yih (Ian) Huang

ST2 Room 443
Office hours: Wed. 1:00pm -- 3:00pm
Email: huangyih@cs.gmu.edu

Current information about this course will be maintained at its course web page: http://cs.gmu.edu/~huangyih/756/

Prerequisite

CS656, ECE 542 or instructor's permission (includes background in computer architectures, statistics, ability to program in C/C++ and use Unix operating system)

Prerequisite requirements will be strictly enforced.

Software

For simulation studies of network performance, the following simulators are used: OPNET, ns2, and NetworkWorkbench.

Course Content and Format

This course will enable the student to understand the principal factors that influence the performance of packet switched networks supporting data and multimedia applications, predict the impact of these factors on performance by analytical and simulation techniques, and compare the predicted results with actual measured performance. Highlights of this semester include Internet congestion control, TCP performance, real-time streaming, and peer-to-peer networks.

The semester is divided into two parts. In the first half of the semester, the instructor gives lectures, concluded by a midterm exam. In the meantime, students select projects and submit proposals before the midterm exam. Projects must relate to performance study/analysis of packet-switching networks using (1) theoretical analysis, (2) simulation, and/or (3) actual measurement. Students work in teams of two; all members of a team must be familiar with and responsible for all parts of project. For simulation-oriented projects, two network simulators are supported: OPNET and ns2. Each team submits a project proposal by the midterm exam, delivers an one-hour presentation after the midterm, and submits the final report by the end of the semester. The second half of the semester is dedicated to project presentations. There will be no final examination.

GRADING POLICY

Grading is proficiency-based (no curve); cutoffs will be in the vicinity of (and no higher than) A, 95; A-,90; B+, 85; B, 80; B- 75; C, 60.

Textbook

Bertsekas and Gallager, Data Networks, 2nd Ed., Prentice-Hall, 1992

Important Dates

Internet-based Course Delivery

For the NET section (Section 002), the distance education software we will be using again this year is called Network EducationWare (NEW). It consists of a collection of open source tools, integrated using software developed at GMU. You can learn more at http://netlab.gmu.edu/NEW. At present the NEW client runs only on Windows computers (Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, and XP). It provides the instructor's voice and graphics in real time, and has an option for video if you have high-capacity Internet service such as cable modem or DSL. If you have a microphone that works with your computer's sound setup you can ask spoken questions during class, even with only a dialup connection.

Please note that we are moving to NEW version 3 this year. You will need to install the software even if you have the previous version installed.

Before you attend a class over the network, you will need to install the NEW client software and check that (1) it works on your computer and (2) your Internet connection is good enough to support real time class delivery. To be good enough, it does not have to be high capacity; 56k modem service is good enough. But it must not be overloaded at class time or the sound delivery will be unacceptable. Because the Internet carries more load in afternoon and early evening, you need to test at those hours. If the sound quality is poor, you have the option to use a dial-up connection to GMU (703-426-2468) with your GMU username and password (as used on OSF1). The software is available (including a recorded introduction that runs on the client and can be used to test your Internet connection). If you have trouble with the installation, look on the webpage http://netlab.gmu.edu/disted under "Help/FAQs". You also will find a button on that page to get the password you will need with the NEW system. The password will then be sent to your GMU email account.

Section 001 students are also encouraged to intall NEW and obtain passwords, giving you accesses to class recordings.

Importance Notice: NET section students must attend midterm and all project presentations on campus.

Other Notes

Course notices will be provided via email. Students are responsible to have an email account on osf1.gmu.edu and check the account regularly. Course materials (for example, copies of slides) will be available on the course web page 24 hours before class. Students are responsible for assigned readings and all material outlined in lecture slides.

Yih Huang (huangyih@cs.gmu.edu)