George Mason University

Department of Computer Science

CS455 Computer Networking Systems

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Meeting time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:15.

Meeting location: Innovation Hall 134

Instructor: Dr. Robert Simon
Office: ST-II, Room 423
Phone: (703) 993-1556
E-mail: simon AT cs.gmu.edu
Office Hours: Monday 1:45 to 2:45,
Monday 4:30 to 5:30

TA: TBD

Office Hours: TBD

Course Description:

CS455 presents data communications fundamentals and computer networking methods, using a layered reference model to organize the study. We will focus primarily on the data link, network, transport and application layers.

Prerequisites:

Grade of C or better in CS365 and either STAT 344 or MATH 351.

Grading Policy:

2 Midterm Exams 30%
Final Exam (cumulative) 35%
Projects and homework 30%
Class participation 5%

Course Syllabus with reading assignments

The syllabus will be made available shortly before the start of class

Required textbook:

Larry Peterson and Bruce Davie, Computer Networks, A Systems Approach, 3rd Edition, Morgan-Kaufmann

Project:

We will use the Network Workbench, a collection of modules developed in the GMU Center for the New Engineer that simulate a protocol stack and display the results. You will create modules for Data Link Control, Network and Transport layers and run them in the Workbench environment. You can obtain a PC version of the network workbench at http://netlab.gmu.edu/NW.

Examination Rules:

The GMU honor code applies. Further, makeup exams will only be offered at the discretion of the instructor. If you must miss a exam then you must provide a written, verifiable excuse.