The course will present data communications fundamentals and computer networking methods, using the ISO 7-layer reference model to organize the study. Attention will be focused on the protocols of the physical, data link control, network, and transport layers, for local and wide area networks. Emphasis will be given to the Internet Protocol Suite. Students will program simplified versions of the protocols as part of the course project. Students will create modules for Internet stack layers and run them in the NW environment.
Additional projects are available for extra credit.
The project is documented in one of the required texts. All students are expected to abide by the Honor Code as stated in the GMU catalog and elaborated for Computer Science. Course notices and assignments will be provided via email. Students are responsible to have an email account and provide an address to the instructor. Students are responsible for assigned readings and all material outlined in lecture slides.