Course Description 15-441 is an introductory course to computer networks. The emphasis will be on the basic performance and engineering tradeoffs in the design and implementation of computer networks. To make the issues more concrete, the class includes several multi-week projects requiring significant design and implementation. The goal is for students to learn not only what computer networks are and how they work today, but also why they are designed the way they are and how they are likely to evolve in the future. We will draw examples primarily from the Internet.
Evaluation is based on homework assignments, the projects, and a mid-term and final exam.
Because this course has a big project component, you must be proficient in C programming on UNIX systems. It is highly desirable that you have taken 15-213 since many of the programming skills you will need are taught in that course. It is available in the CMU Bookstore. Almost all the material that we will cover is in the textbook, although we will cover it in a different order. You can get the best price on them by ordering from an on-line bookstore.