Course Description

In this course we will study how data is typically transmitted across computer networks and how multiple networks can be connected to form an interconnected network or "internet". Our main focus will be the network protocols that enable heterogeneous machines to communicate with one another, and we will study the widely-used TCP/IP internet protocols in depth. We will also study the basics of network security including firewalls, network-based threats, and intrusion detection systems.

Objectives of the Course

Upon successful completion of this course a student will:

• Be able to give a detailed description of internetworking including its motivation, history, current status, and possible future directions
• Understand the major internetworking protocols including: ARP, RARP, IP, ICMP, UDP, and TCP
• Be familiar with some common network security threats and techniques used to combat them
• Apply knowledge gained through reading and discussion in the class projects

Instructor Information

Contact Information:

Brett Tjaden
216 ISAT/CS Building
Department of Computer Science
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Email: tjadenbc@jmu.edu
Phone: 540-568-2771

Webpage: https://users.cs.jmu.edu/tjadenbc/web/

 

Office Hours:

 

I will strive to provide a prompt reply (within 24 hours on weekdays) to your questions and comments. I typically will not be available on weekends or days when the University is closed. I expect the bulk of our interaction to occur on the class discussion groups, but feel free to call me or send private e-mail if you have an issue of a personal or private nature.

Textbooks

• Douglas E. Comer, Internetworking with TCP/IP (Volume 1), Fifth Edition, Prentice Hall, 2006
• Brett C. Tjaden, Foundations of Secure Computer Systems, Franklin Beedle and Associates, 2003

Grading

Overview:

Projects	60%
Class Participation	10%
Final Examination	30%

Projects: Four projects will be assigned throughout the semester. Each project will account for fifteen percent of your final grade. The due dates for these assignments are noted on the Assignments page. Each project will be due by 11:59 pm on Sunday evening, and late assignments will be penalized ten points per day late.

Class Participation: Ten percent of your final grade will be based on your participation in class discussions online. During each week that is devoted to class discussion you can earn up to 3 points.

Satisfactory participation requires that you read all assigned readings and the discussions in all of the current discussion forums and make thoughtful postings. Quality, not quantity is what I am looking for, and unnecessarily long or numerous posts will not get you full credit for class participation. Please keep the following criteria in mind when you post so that we can have a useful discussion. Quality posts are ones that satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

• Are germane to the subject being discussed
• Stimulate interest or further discussion
• Poses an interesting question about the material or answer someone else's question
• Augments class material by relating personal experience

You will earn 1 point for satisfactory participation in class discussion on Monday-Thursday of each discussion week, and 1 points for satisfactory participation in class discussion on Friday-Sunday of each discussion week. You will earn an additional 1 point if your participation in weekly discussion is outstanding.

Final Examination: A comprehensive final examination will be given at the end of the semester. A sample exam and review sheet will be made available several weeks prior to the exam to allow you to prepare. The final examination will be a two-hour, open book, take-home test. It will be posted on Blackboard on Saturday, December 5th. You may take the exam in any continuous two-hour period on Saturday (12/5), Sunday (12/6), Monday (12/7), Tuesday (12/8), or Wednesday (12/9). Once your two hours are up you must submit your exam on Blackboard. The final examination will account for thirty percent of your final grade.

Final Grades: Letter grades will be assigned based on your final average in the class as follows:

Average

Grade

93-100	A
90-92	A-
87-89	B+
83-86	B
80-82	B-
70-79	C
0-69	F

Academic Honesty

I demand academic honesty from everyone who takes my classes. This means that you are not permitted to give or receive unauthorized aid on any graded work. For closed-book examinations you are not allowed the aid of any books, notes, or other information sources, nor are you permitted aid from any person except myself. For graded projects you may consult your textbook and your own notes from class, but you are not allowed the aid of any books, websites, or other information sources not expressly authorized by me. You are also not permitted the aid of any person but myself on project assignments. You are permitted to form study groups if you wish to prepare for the final exam, and reasonable discussion of the projects and final exam in the online classroom is permitted. If in doubt about whether your actions could be viewed as academically dishonest please consult with me in advance and I will advise you appropriately. If I believe you have been academically dishonest you will fail the course.

On-line Learning Environment

An explanation of how to

• find class announcements,
• conduct on-line discussions,
• submit course deliverables, and
• setup and use private study groups,

can be found at Communication Among Participants In An On-line Classroom.

Chat sessions may be held at various times during the course. A Virtual Classroom Chat Protocol is provided to organize the session.