CS 211 - Computer Networks and Internetworks

Credit Hours: 4

A study of how computer networks and the internet operate, from the lowest level of data transmission and wiring to the highest level of application software communication over the network infrastructure. Topics will include the exploration of networks and their management in the web environment, the OSI model, data and packet transmission, topologies, hardware, client-server systems, internetworks, simulation and management tools, e-commerce, and security.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

setup a network card for use under Linux;
setup a network printer under Windows server 2000, UNIX;
explain the difference between baud rate and bits per second;
design, write, debug, and execute a program to contact a web server and extract and print the returned page;
describe how an IP router uses a routing table to forward datagrams;
describe how a datagram crosses the Internet;
describe the operation of error detection codes and cyclic redundancy codes;
explain the difference between a hub and a layer 2 switch;
describe how TCP identifies a connection;
explain how a web server can handle multiple connections to port 80;
explain the difference between a bridge and an IP router;
trace and compute the length of the path of a single bit as it travels across a base T network;
explain why TCP is classified as end-to-end;
explain the difference between CSMA/CD in Ethernet and a token passing scheme used in Token Ring;
design, write, and debug socket programs for network communication between workstations and servers;
capture and decode packet contents;
explain the operation of public key and double key encryption schemes;
understand the use of overflow attacks and their prevention;
describe Unix and Windows network attacks and the means to defend against the attacks
use the Linux operating environment effectively; and
use a computer to develop programs.

Prerequisites: CS 121 or permission of the instructor.
F (N)