Computer Networks

Identifier
COMS 5880
Professor(s)

Last Updated: Spring 2025

  1. Credits and contact hours: 3 credits, 3 contact hours
  2. Text book, title, author, and year: Computer Networking: A top-down approach featuring the Internet, 7th or 8th edition, James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross, 2010.
  3. Other supplemental materials: Computer Networks, Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Nick Feamster and David J. Wetherall; TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1: The Protocols, W. Richard Stevens

Specific course information

  1. Brief description of the content of the course: This course mainly focuses on understanding how the Internet works: (1) How do Internet nodes communicate with each other? (2) What are the network protocols that make this complex interconnection of computer networks exchange data in a reliable way? Students can learn the fundamental concepts in the design and implementation of computer communication in both wired and wireless networks, their protocols, and applications.
  2. Prerequisites or co-requisites: Be of graduate standing
  3. Required, elective, or selected elective? Selected Elective

Specific goals for the course

  1. Specific outcomes of instruction:
  • Understand good network design techniques and networking theories, including protocol designs and layering concepts. (2)
  • Have experience working with popular networking system software.
  • Have an ability to apply knowledge in network protocol design and application development to address real-world needs. (6)
  • Have programming experience, working with popular networking software in various operating system platforms.
  • Have experience working on a team project to improve communication, project management, software development, and presentation skills. (3, 5)
  • Understand a few advanced topics in computer networking for continuing professional development.

Brief list of topics to be covered

  • Layered Networks Architecture in the Internet
  • Applications
  • Transport
  • Network
  • Data link lawyers and their protocols
  • Socket API
  • Software-defined networking
  • Network Security