Course Focus

This course is an introductory look at computer communication from an engineering perspective. We focus on the principles of computer communication, and the basic concepts in the architecture of computer networks. As an introductory course, it will cover a broad set of concepts and implementations, addressing both theory and practice, but the depth of treatment is limited by the background of the students (from the prerequisites), the breadth of the subject, and the length of the course.

We use the layered model of computer communications as the vehicle for addressing computer network architecture. It starts with the physical layer and goes up through the applications layer. At each level we want to understand the tasks to be accomplished at that level, the goals and trade-offs made in accomplishing those tasks, the algorithms used, and the factors that relate to performance. We also will discuss, again at a summary level, the architecture of the Internet and how the history of the voice and data networks has influenced this architecture.

Your understanding of the subject matter for this course will depend on careful reading and study of the material from the textbook, augmented by the lectures, and your work on the homework assignments and laboratory exercises.

Other courses in the networks track (CMPE 151, CMPE 152, CMPE 154, and CMPE 156) build on the basic concepts introduced in this course to provide a hands-on treatment of network administration, address in more detail the design and performance analysis of communication protocols, study in greater depth the physical layer of data communication, and offer a hands-on network programming experience, respectively.

Grading Scheme

• Midterm : 35%
• Assignments : 25%
• Final : 40%

Textbooks

Andrew S. Tannenbaum, Computer Networks, Fourth edition . Prentice-Hall 2002.

Other books that may be of interest to you are:

Academic Honesty and Integrity

In recent years, there has been an increased number of cheating incidents in many UC campuses, and unfortunately, UCSC is no exception. The School of Engineering has a zero tolerance policy for any incident of academic dishonesty. If cheating occurs, there may be consequences within the context of the course, and in addition, every case of academic dishonesty is referred to the students' college Provost, who then sets the disciplinary process in motion. Cheating in any part of the course may lead to failing the course and suspension or dismissal from the university.

What is cheating? In short, it is presenting someone else's work as your own. Examples would include copying another student's written or electronic homework assignment, or allowing your own work to be copied. Although you may discuss problems with fellow students, your collaboration must be at the level of ideas only. Legitimate collaboration ends when you "lend", "borrow", or "trade" written or electronic solutions to problems, or in any way share in the act of writing or electronically sharing your answers. If you do collaborate (legitimately) or receive help from anyone, you must credit them by placing their name(s) at the top of your paper.