Fall 2023
CS242

A study of computer networks, with a focus on the Internet

A systems-oriented approach to data networks.
Including a theoretical discussion of common networking problems and an examination of modern networks and protocols.
All while focusing on the Internet.

Instructors


Christine Bassem

Office hours:
Tuesday 3pm-5pm in H401
Friday 2pm-3:30pm in H401
And by appointment if needed

Kat Swenson - Class tutor

Office hours:
TBD

Cynthia Wang - Class tutor

Office hours:
TBD


CS242 Fall 2023 Schedule


Follow this link for the Fall 2023 - Support calendar
Please note that this page will be updated frequently, and it will contain all course content and resources
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Sep
4
Labor Day
5
Introduction
(slides)
Reading: Chapter 1
Also check out the Textbook resources
6
7
8
The Internet: Delay and Layers
(slides)
Chapter 1
11
12
More on Internet Layers
(slides)
Chapter 2 - section 2.1
13
14
15
(I) Transport Layer:
What is UDP?
(slides)
Chapter 3 - sections 3.1 to 3.3
Assignment 1 due at 11:59pm
18
19
Socket programming demo
Programming Assignments at the end of Chapter 3
20
21
22
Reliable data transfer (1)
(slides)
Chapter 3 - section 3.4
25
26
Reliable data transfer (2)
(slides)
Chapter 3 - sections 3.4 and 3.5
27
28
29
Starting TCP
(slides)
Chapter 3 - section 3.5
Assignment 2 due at 11:59pm
Oct
2
3
TCP again :)
(slides)
4
5
6
Review lecture
9
Indigenous Peoples’ Day - No classes
10
Fall break - No classes
11
12
13
Congestion control
(slides)
Quiz 1 becomes available after 3pm
Duration is 60 minutes
16
17
Quiz 1 ends at 1pm
Application layer - HTTP
(slides)
18
19
20
Application layer - Email and start DNS
(slides)
23
24
27
Application layer - DNS and Streaming
(slides)
25
26
27
Application layer - P2P and project
(slides1 - project slides)
Assignment 3 due at 11:59pm
30
31
Network layer - What is a router and intro to IP
(Watch the videos sent on Piazza - slides )
1
2
3
IP addressing and the IP
( slides )
6
7
Routing :)
(slides)
8
9
10
Routing algorithms continued
(slides)
Quiz 2 becomes available after 3pm
Duration is 60 minutes
13
Quiz 2 ends at 11:59 PM
14
Tanner - No classes
15
16
17
BGP routing
(slides)
Project phase 2 due at 11:59pm
20
21
Finalize Network Layer
(slides)
Assignment 4 due at 11:59pm
22
Thanksgiving break
23
Thanksgiving break
24
Thanksgiving break
27
28
Multiple access links and protocols
(Watch videos sent on Piazza - slides)
29
30
Dec
1
LANs and link virtualization
(slides)
Project phase 3 due Sunday at 11:59pm
4
5
Data Center Networking
Assignment 5 due at 11:59pm
6
7
Quiz 3 starts at 6 am
8
Wireless Networks
11
12
Project presentations
Quiz 3 ends at 11:59 pm
13
14
Reading period starts

Administrative details of CS242

Course Overview

Prerequisites The prerequisite for CS242 is CS230 - Data structures.

Textbook The course textbook is Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet, written by James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross and published by Addison Wesley. Copies of the text are available in the College Bookstore. Every lecture, there will be required readings from the textbook and sometimes other sources. All readings will be based on the 8th edition of the book, but you might find older versions of the book for way cheaper. A small part of the readings can only be found in the 8th edition, but we can provide copies of these sections via the College Library, if you choose to buy a previous edition.

Course Group Make sure that you are added to the Course's Piazza group. This group has several purposes, one of which is class announcements.
I encourage you to use it for class discussions, and questions. If you know the answer to a classmate's question, feel free to post a reply yourself. Please do not post any code in your messages on the group!


Course Expectations and Syllabus

All important course information and policies can be found in the CS 242 course syllabus.

Special Accommodations

If you have a disability or condition, either long-term or temporary, and need reasonable academic adjustments in this course, please contact Accessibility and Disability Resources (ADR) to get a letter outlining your accommodation needs, and submit that letter to me. You should request accommodations as early as possible in the semester, or before the semester begins, since some situations can require significant time for review and accommodation design. If you need immediate accommodations, please arrange to meet with me as soon as possible. If you are unsure but suspect you may have an undocumented need for accommodations, you are encouraged to contact (ADR). They can provide assistance including screening and referral for assessments.

Disability Services can be reached at accessibility@wellesley.edu, at 781-283-2434, by scheduling an appointment online at their website, https://www.wellesley.edu/adr or by visiting their offices on the 3rd floor of Clapp Library, rooms 316 and 315.


Nondiscrimination and Harassment

Wellesley College considers diversity essential to educational excellence, and we are committed to being a community in which each member thrives. The College does not allow discrimination or harassment based on race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or any other protected status under applicable local, state or federal law. If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or harassment, support is available to you: