CSC6290: Data Communications and Computer Networks (Fall 2008)

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Instructor: Dr. Hongwei Zhang                   hzhang AT cs.wayne.edu                   +1 313 577 0731 Class timings: MW 1:20pm-2:40pm in State Hall 313 Office hours: MW 4:30pm-5:30pm in 454 State Hall, or by appointment Class webpage: http://www.cs.wayne.edu/~hzhang/courses/6290b/6290b.html

Teaching Assistant: Yuan Gan (dz0667@wayne.edu) TA Office hours: by appointment

This course is designed for graduate students who are interested in the fundamental design and analytical techniques for computer networking. We will focus on three basic building blocks of networking: multiplexing, switching, and routing. We will systematically develop the viewpoint that computer networking is about efficient resource sharing, and we will examine the basic engineering and scientific questions in network system design, analysis, and implementation. Topics include network architecture, network analysis from deterministic models (e.g., as used in IntServ/RSVP) and stochastic models (e.g., the effective bandwidth approach), blocking systems (e.g., cellular and optical networks), congestion control algorithms (e.g., TCP), queueing in packet switches, switching architectures, packet processing (e.g., IP route lookup and packet classification), virtual path routing (e.g., as in MPLS), and routing for delay-constrained traffic (e.g., as in VoIP).

In short, the objectives of this course is to help students develop deep insight into computer networking and to help students appreciate the basic techniques for designing and analyzing networked systems.

Basic knowledge of computer networks (e.g., materials covered in CSC4992 or equivalent), elementary probability theory and statistics. Or consent of instructor.

[R0] Anurag Kumar, D. Manjunath, Joy Kuri, Communication Networking: An Analytical Approach, Morgan Kaufmann, 2004. ISBN: 0124287514.

[R1] Anurag Kumar, D. Manjunath, Joy Kuri, Wireless Networking, Morgan Kaufmann, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-12-374254-4.
[R2] Larry Peterson and Bruce Davie, Computer Networks: A Systems Approach (4th edition), Morgan Kaufmann, ISBN: 0123705487.
[R3] Jim Kurose and Keith Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet (4th edition), Addison-Wesley, ISBN: 0321497708.
[R4] Srinivsan Keshav and S. Keshav, An Engineering Approach to Computer Networking: ATM Networks, the Internet, and the Telephone Network (1st edition), Addison-Wesley, ISBN: 0201634422.
[R5] Mohamed G. Gouda, Elements of Network Protocol Design (1st edition), John Wiley & Sons, ISBN: 0471197440.
[R6] Robert G. Gallager, Discrete Stochastic Processes, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1996. ISBN: 0792395832.
[R7] Henry Stark, John W. Woods, Probability, Random Processes, and Estimation Theory for Engineers, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall, 1994. ISBN: 0137287917.
[R6] Sheldon M. Ross, Introduction to Probability Models, 9th edition, Academic Press, 2006. ISBN: 9780125980623.

Additional reading: Leonard Kleinrock's vision | Leonard Kleinrock's Keynote speech at INFOCOM'06 
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Homework #0 is due by Oct. 1, 2008. (solution)
Homework #1 is due by Oct. 8, 2008.   (solution)
Homework #2 is due by Oct. 20, 2008.   (solution)
Homework #3 is due by Nov. 17, 2008.    (solution)

Survey the design and analysis of selected protocols/systems in the following fields: 

• Wireless, embedded networking technologies and applications in
• vehicles: V2V, V2I, sensing and control, infotainment, etc.
• industrial control: feedback control, machine health monitoring, etc.

• Can focus on issues such as MAC, interference management and control, routing, and transport control.
  

• Sensor networks in
  
• Healthcare: http://www.agingtech.org/browse.aspx?CA=1
• Engineering: structural health monitoring, factory automation & industrial control, etc.
• Scientific study: environmental engineering, social sciences, etc.
• Homeland security and military, or
• Daily life: urban sensing (http://research.cens.ucla.edu/portal/page?_pageid=56,948798&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL), security monitoring, etc.

• Can focus on issues such as MAC, routing, transport control, data storage and querying, and localization.
  

• Mobile networks in
• traffic control: real-time road traffic condition detection and control, etc.
• auto safety: DSRC, etc.
• homeland security, or
• social networks

• Heterogeneous networks
• integrated wireless networks (sensor networks, WiFi, cellular) and the Internet etc.

• Networking technologies for emerging economies
• network properties: wireless, mobility, intermittent connectivity ...
  
• network services: telemedicine, mobile banking, e-retailing, stored data and voice messaging, remote education, local content and news, security, policing, etc.

• Other topics of your choice (with conscent of instructor)

Rules:

• Each student should first choose one of the above research fields, and then start surveying the literature to understand the state of the art in the field. You should first understand the major challenges of each field, and then focus your attention on one of the challenges to explore in depth.
• Report the history, development, and open issues of your chosen topic(s)/challenge(s). It will be great if you can form your own opinions of the research topic you have chosen.
• It is required that, in your project report, you present whether and how the basic challenges (such as media access control, routing, and congestion control) in your chosen research field remain the same as or differ from what we have discussed in class.
  

• Students are allowed to form groups in doing projects, but the number of students per group should be no more than 3.
  

Deliverables:

• Written project report. Project report should be in the form of a survey paper. (You can check the survey papers "A Survey on Sensor Networks" and "Network Optimization and Control" for examples.)
• In-class presentation. The slides for your presentation should be sent via email to the class at least one day before your presentation, so that everyone can go over your slides before coming to class.
  

Timeline:

• Select the topic and form your project group by 09/21/2008.
• Detailed project report outline & list of references are due on 10/31/2008.
  
• Present your project in class according to the schedule described here. 
• Presentations: 0   1   2   
  
• Submit your project report electronically by midnight 12/14/2008.
  

Evaluation criteria:

Your performance in project will be evaluated based on the following metrics:

• Breadth and depth of your understanding of the literature, as evidenced by your project report and presentation.
  
• Presentation quality (e.g., clarity, readability, and conciseness) of your project report and in-class talk.
  

Some data:

Lecture: Attendance is required. Advance notice and permission are required if students cannot attend certain lectures due to hard constraints.

Homework: Homework assignments will be designed to stimulate independent thinking among the students. They will be due at the beginning of class, usually a week after they are given.  Homework assignments will not be accepted after the due date. An exception to this rule is that you give in advance a strong and convincing reason.

Exam: Exams will be scheduled in advance. Unless prior arrangements are made, a grade of zero will be recorded for missed exams.

Grading: The tentative grade weighting for the semester will be:

• Letter grades will be assigned based on performance relative to other students. A tentative grading scale is as follows:

• A regrading request will cause the entire exam/homework/project to be regraded, and thereby the overall grade can increase or decrease.