Front Door

Welcome to the Spring 2000 session of Grinnell College's CSC 364, Computer Networks, which is described relatively well in the official blurb. My take on this course is that we'll study the theory of computer networks and common implementations. At the same time, we'll do some network programming (in C). Because this is a ``systems'' course, you'll significant amount of programming for the course. It is also a project course, although I am still working out the details of the project.

This is the first time that CSC364 has been taught at Grinnell, so some things are not worked out as well as I might hope, and many things are likely to change.

In an attempt to provide up-to-date information, and to spare a few trees, I am making this as much of a ``paperless'' course as I can. You may also want to read the basic instructions for using this course web.

Basics

Meets: MWF 2:15-3:05 p.m.

Instructor: Samuel A. Rebelsky, Science 2427. Office hours: Tu 2:15-4:15, W 3:15-4:15 (also feel free to stop by when my door is open)

Grading: Quizzes and labs: 10%; Assignments: 30%; Project: 30%; Exams: 30%.

This course has a midterm and a final. Both will be in-class exams.

Project: CSC364 has a project component. You should plan to work on the project in groups of size 4. I'm still working on the specifications, but it is likely that I will have you develop a simple architecture for transportable agents.

Extra Credit: I will occasionally give you quizzes to ensure that you're keeping up with the reading. Throughout the term, I may suggest other forms of extra credit.

Books and Other Readings

Peterson, Larry L. and Davie, Bruce S. (2000). Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, Second Edition. San Francisco, CA: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.

The primary text for the course and the best general book on computer networks I could find.

Stevens, W. Richard (1998). Unix Network Programming, Volume 1: Networking APIs: Sockets and XTI, Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall PTR.

Your primary reference for doing network programming with sockets and TCP/IP. I expect this will stay as a reference on your shelves for years to come.

Kernighan, Brian W. and Ritchie, Dennis M. (1988). The C Programming Language, Second Edition: ANSI C. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall PTR.

An optional text. Since most of the programming in the course will be in C, you should benefit from having a reference. This is the standard reference on C. It's concise, clear, and written for real programmers.

Rebelsky, Samuel (2000). The CSC364 2000S Course Web.

The hypertext that you are currently reading. All of these materials are optional, but you may find them useful.