Spring half-semester 2007

 

I&MSE 557 – Computing Networks and Communications

 

Objectives:

 

Understand the importance of and implementation of communication among computers in the workaday business environment and in the following contexts:

a)  what types of data need to be communicated?

b)  what infrastructure concepts are needed to support communication?

c)  how are networks designed and implemented?

d)  what are some example applications; how do the above contexts support them via data communication?

e)  what management issues arise in connection with security and operation of a computer network?

 

Required Text:

 

White, Curt M.  2006.  Data Communications and Computer Networks:  A Business User’s Approach, 4th edition.  Cambridge, Massachusetts:  Thomson Learning.

 

Suggested Supplemental Texts:

 

McCabe, James D.  1998.  Practical Computer Network Analysis and Design.  San Francisco, California:  Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Incorporated.

Peterson, Larry L., and Bruce S. Davie.  2003.  Computer Networks:  A Systems Approach, 3rd edition.  San Francisco, California:  Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Incorporated.

Stallings, William.  2003.  Data and Computer Communications, 7th edition.  Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:  Prentice-Hall, Incorporated.

Tanenbaum, Andrew S.  2003.  Computer Networks, 4th edition.  Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:  Prentice-Hall, Incorporated.

 

Outline:

 

1

Introduction to Computer Networks and Data Communications

Chapter 1

2

Fundamentals of Data and Signals

Chapter 2

3

The Media:  Connected and Wireless

Chapter 3

4

Making Connections

Chapter 4

5

Multiplexing – Sharing a Medium

Chapter 5

6

Errors:  Their Detection, Correction, and Prevention

Chapter 6

7

Local Area Networks (LANs)

Chapters 7, 8, and 9

8

Wide Area Networks (WANs)

Chapter 10

9

The Internet

Chapter 11

10

Telecommunication Systems

Chapter 12

11

Network Security

Chapter 13

12

Network Design and Management

Chapter 14

 

Administration:

 

Homework problems (assigned orally in class)

10%

Case study plan (24 May)

ungraded

Midterm examination (5 June)

30%

Written & oral report (21 June)

30%

Final examination (28 June)

30%

 

The class runs under the honor code governing all College of Engineering classes.  Also, see statement from Office of the Provost on academic ethics.

Examinations will contain “essay-type” questions (not true-false, multiple-choice, or fill-in-the blank).

The “term project” report will be done in teams of three; choice of team members will be yours.

The document due 24 May is a “one-pager” specifying your team roster and term-project topic and plan.