CSE-3103/CSE-5232 Syllabus
Network Programming

Florida Tech, Spring 2000 - Jan. 10 to Apr. 28

http://www.cs.fit.edu/~mmahoney/cse3103/

Tues. and Thurs., 8:00-9:15 PM, room EC137. Final exam: Tues. May 2, 8:30-10:30 PM.

Course description

CSE 3103 - Computer Communication Networks
CSE 5232 - Network Programming

Web server development - Web servers, browsers, HTTP protocol, CGI, cookies, introduction to HTML, Perl, JavaScript, Java applets.
Network services - telnet, FTP, email protocols (SMTP, POP), DNS, NFS, NIS, diagnotic tools (arp, ping, netstat, nslookup, etc.)
Network programming: C++ (UNIX sockets and Windows/Winsock), Java (network model, threads, exceptions), servers and clients.
Networks: OSI model, TCP/UDP, IP, Ethernet, telephone system.
Communication theory, encryption, data compression.

Prerequisites: C++ and Java programming, familiar with UNIX/Linux.

Instructor

Matt Mahoney, mmahoney@cs.fit.edu or if that doesn't work, then matmahoney@yahoo.com Office hours are immediately after class, or try sending an instant message to matmahoney using Yahoo! Messenger.

How is my teaching? Review this class anonymously at TeacherReviews.com.

Reading

Java Network Programming, 2'nd ed., by Hugues, Shoffner, and Hamner, read chapters 1-21 and Appendix A.
Introduction to Web Server Development
Java Programming examples Quick Reference
Charlotte, a web server for Windows © 2000, Stuart Patterson, ACM Crossroads, May 2000.
TCP/IP
Data Link Layer

If you do not know C++ or Java, I recommend

Essential C++ by Stan Lippmann
Java from the Beginning by Jan Skansholm

Homework

Set up a web page, due Feb. 3.
Homework, part 1, due Mar. 14.
Homework, part 2, due Mar 23, 28, Apr, 6, 20.
Term Project, see below.

Grading

Grading will be based 50% on homework and 50% on tests.

Homework: Homework handed in late is penalized 20% per day, including non class days, weekends, and holidays. Homework should be posted to your web page. Not all homework will be graded or collected, but you are still responsible for knowing the material.

Programming assignments may be written in your choice of language (C, C++, Java, Perl, etc). Grading will emphasize good style, readability, and documentation, especially the analysis or user's guide, which describes what the program does from a novice user's point of view.

Tests: All exams including the final exam will count equally toward your grade after dropping the lowest grade. There will be no make-up exams for any reason. All tests are open book and open notes. Test dates (tentative):

Exam 1, Tues. Feb. 15
Exam 2, Thurs. Mar. 16
Exam 3, Tues. Apr. 18
Final, Tues. May 2, 8:30-10:30 PM

Term Project

All students will be expected to write a program that acts as either a server or a client, and communicates using an established protocol (HTTP, SMTP, DNS, telnet, FTP, etc.). Examples include, but are not limited to:

A text-based web client (like lynx).
A web server.
A telnet client.
A USENET news reader.
A program to send and receive email.
A DNS resovler (like dig or nslookup).
A network diagnostic tool (like ping).

Post to your web page:

A topic and brief description of your program by Feb. 3. (You may change it later if needed).
A user's guide (analysis) and preliminary design in HTML by Feb. 24. (Keep this updated as needed).
A progress report and preliminary version of your program that users can download and run by Mar. 23.
A final version by Apr. 20.

Graduate students (CSE 5232) only: write a paper (about 5000 words) in HTML and post to your web page. Identify some problem related to networks or the Internet, and investigate what methods are currently used to solve the problem. Your program should be related to your chosen topic. Perhaps you can propose a better solution. Present your paper to the class in a 15-30 minute presentation during the last two weeks of classes (Apr. 18-27). For example:

Network security, encryption. Topics include public key encryption, secure email, digital cash, or virus detection.
Searching the Web, search engines. Topics include spiders, ranking web pages, meta-engines, or distributed models.
Performance, high speed internet connections. Topics include cable modems, DSL, or wireless Internet.

You may wish to post prelimary drafts of your paper as soon as possible so I can review them and make recommendatations before the paper is due. Email me when you have updated your draft.