IS 632: Networks (3 credits)

This course provides the fundamentals of network technologies, such as public-switched network, wide area networks, and local area networks, from the perspective of the current and future needs. The course also covers network architectures, networking standards, digital and analog signaling, the various transmission media, as well as equipment, applications, and services.

Pre-requisite: IS 605 and IS 606.

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Example Syllabus - IS 632: Networks

Each syllabus is an example of a course structure and assignments and is subject to change at any time by the course instructor or Program Director.

Course Number and Title

IS 632 - 3 Credit Hours - Networks

Rationale

This course is a comprehensive survey course in data communications. It is required knowledge for the masters degree in Information Systems. It contains additional topics and exercises at the graduate level that are not contained in the undergraduate course.

Learning Objectives

A basic introduction to the science of data communications is followed by an in-depth treatment of the TCP/IP stack. All basic concepts related to the following topics are covered with related to current networking practice:

• Data Transmission
  • Transmission Media
  • Local Asynchronous Communication (RS-232)
  • Long-Distance Communication (Carriers, Modulation, And Modems)
    
• Packet Transmission
  • Packets, Frames, And Error Detection
  • LAN Technologies And Network Topology
  • Hardware Addressing And Frame Type Identification
  • LAN Wiring, Physical Topology, And Interface Hardware
  • Extending LANs: Fiber Modems, Repeaters, Bridges, and
  • Switches Long-Distance Digital Connection Technologies
  • WAN Technologies And Routing
  • Connection-Oriented Networking And ATM
  • Network Characteristics: Ownership, Service Paradigm, And Performance
  • Protocols And Layering
    
• Internetworking
  • Internetworking: Concepts, Architecture, and Protocols 29
  • IP: Internet Protocol Addresses
  • Binding Protocol Addresses (ARP)
  • IP Datagrams And Datagram Forwarding
  • IP Encapsulation, Fragmentation, And Reassembly
  • The Future IP (IPv6)
  • An Error Reporting Mechanism (ICMP)
  • TCP: Reliable Transport Service
  • Internet Routing
    
• Network Applications
  • Client-Server Interaction
  • The Socket Interface
  • Naming With The Domain Name System
  • Electronic Mail Representation And Transfer
  • File Transfer And Remote File Access
  • World Wide Web Pages And Browsing
  • RPC and Middleware
  • Network Management (SNMP)
  • Network Security
  • Initialization (Configuration)

Text

Computer Networks and Internets (third edition), Dr. Douglas Comer, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-091449-5, 2001.

Assessments

This course is evaluated as follows:

1. Weekly problem sets. After reading the assigned book chapters, each student will do the web-based lecture. This lecture will give additional information on the book material and add additional material at the graduate level. In the course of working through the web-based lecture, students will be required to complete the on-line problem sets where the answers are logged. These problem sets will be graded for completeness and correctness, but the students are free to discuss all problems and change their answers before the due date. This method is designed to encourage and increase class participation. (40%)
   
   
2. Two timed tests. Each student will take a timed test over the material covered in the prior period (these tests only cover the immediate prior period- they are not comprehensive). These tests must be completed by the individual with no help. (40%)
   
   
3. Class participation in the web-based forum for each weekly project. A simple coding scheme will be used by the instructor to assess quality of contribution. (20%)