521262S Computer Networks II (fall 2009)

IMPORTANT

  • This page provides only basic information of the course, and it will NOT be updated constantly during the course. The Optima learning environment is the "official" storage for course related information. If you do not have an Optima account, apply for an account immediately.
  • Remember to sign up to the course workspace in Optima, which is now open.
  • The opening lecture will be held on Tue 17.11.2009 at 8:15 in TS101. Be there!

    • OBJECTIVES
    The course provides a comprehensive overview of computer networking and the Internet.

    CONTENTS
    Introduction to the Internet, data communication basics, data link layer, wired LANs, wireless networks, ISP networks, network layer, transport layer, networking applications, network security, network management, multimedia and quality of service, mobility management.

    IMPLEMENTATION
    Contents:

  • Lectures (self-study, voluntary)
  • Laboratory exercises (voluntary)
  • Problem solving sessions (voluntary)
  • Course work (mandatory)
  • The course is passed with a final exam or with a set of intermediate exams, together with an approved course work.
  • The implementation is fully English.

    • Course comprises of 5 parts:

  • Part 1: Introduction of computer networks and the Internet, data communication basics
  • Part 2: Data link layer basics, wired and wireless LANs, ISP networks
  • Part 3: Network layer
  • Part 4: Transport layer
  • Part 5: Application layer, security, management, multimedia, mobility

    • LITERATURE

  • Halsall: Computer Networking and the Internet (fifth edition), Addison-Wesley, 2005.
  • Assorted international standards.

    • PRELIMINARY KNOWLEDGE
    Recommended courses include Computer Networks I, Operating Systems, Basics of Digital Communications, Telecommunications Software and Communication Networks I.

    VOLUME
    6.0 op (3.5 ov)

    LECTURES
    Old lectures are available as self-study material in Optima:

  • In English: 521262S Computer Networks II fall 2007 lectures in Winmedia format.
  • In Finnish: 521261A Computer Networks I spring 2008 lectures (somewhat updated and compressed version of CN II fall 2007) in Flash format.

    • LABORATORY EXERCISES

  • 4 voluntary labs are taken during the course.
  • Labs are done in predefined fixed groups (see group dynamics below).
  • Registration to labs takes place in Optima.
  • Each successfully completed laboratory exercise contributes max 1 point towards your point total (see grading below).

    • PROBLEM SOLVING SESSIONS

  • Weekly voluntary problem solving sessions take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:15-10:00 in TS101.
  • First problem solving session takes place on Thu 19.11.2008.
  • Problems can be solved in predefined fixed groups (see group dynamics below).
  • Each problem set contains 2 questions which are solved in detail by a TA at the problem solving session. Further, each set contains additional 2-4 questions for which TA's provide assistance but no detailed solutions. At least one question in the intermediate exam will be selected from these additional questions.
    • .

    COURSE WORK

  • Course work is mandatory: each student has to submit an approved course work to pass the course.
  • Course work is graded on scale 0 (approved) - 4 points (see grading below).
  • Course work is done in predefined fixed groups (see group dynamics later).
  • Early bird deadline for submitting the course work is Mon 8.3.2010 (gives 1 bonus point towards grading).
  • Final deadline (firm, no exceptions) for submitting the course work is Mon 17.5.2010.
  • If students are found guilty of plagiarism, i.e. two or more groups submit duplicate course works, all students involved will automatically fail the course, i.e. they lose all their performances in this round.

    • RESOURCES
    Optima

  • Contains lecture notes, message board, exams, exam results, archive, etc.
  • Account application
  • Make sure that your contact information in Optima is correct.

    • TEACHING PERSONNEL

  • Lecturer: Professor Timo Ojala (send mail) (homepage).
  • Head teaching assistant: Toni Hakanen (send mail).

    • Note: If you send email to teaching personnel, please use the following format for the Subject line: [CN II] "title of your matter". When contacting teaching assistants, please use the address cn2@ee.oulu.fi.

    PASSING THE COURSE
    To pass the course you:
    1) Have to score at last 10/30 points in the final exam or in the intermediate exams taken during the course. These two alternatives are not mutually exclusive, i.e. you can go for both approaches.
    2) Have to submit an approved course work, which contributes 0-4 points towards your point total.
    3) May participate in 4 voluntary laboratory exercises. Each successfully completed laboratory exercise contributes max 1 point towards your point total.
    4) May get max 2.0 points from group size (see group dynamics).
    5) Have to accumulate at least 13 points in total. In other words, if you accumulate say 10 points from the intermediate exams or the final exam, you need to score at least 3 points from the voluntary labs and/or course work to pass the course.
    Points from exams (10+), labs and course work carry over to future years, if you do not pass the course this time.

    GRADING
    Point total =
    points from final exam or intermediate exams (10-30) +
    points from course work (0-4) +
    points from laboratory exercises (0-4) +
    points from group size (0-2).

    Final course grade is based on point total as follows:
    13.0 -> 1 (32.5% of maximum 40 points)
    17.0 -> 2
    21.0 -> 3
    25.0 -> 4
    29.0 -> 5 (72.5% of maximum 40 points)

    GROUP DYNAMICS
    The course employs group dynamics to stimulate the more efficient learning methodologies with higher retention rates than traditional lectures. Students are expected to form groups of 3-4 students, which study together. The group does problem solving sessions, labs and course work together. Forming of groups is motivated by awarding bonus points based on group's participation in intermediate exams: a 4-student group can accumulate max 2 bonus points, while a 3-student group can accumulate max 1 bonus point. These bonus points do not contribute towards the minimum amount of 10 exam points required for passing the course. The bonus points do contribute towards the minimum of 13 total points required for passing the course. See Optima for further details.

    SCHEDULE
    Detailed schedule is available in Optima.