IS 351

Advanced Internet Technology & Wireless Networking

Meeting Information:

Instructor:

Course Overview

This is an advanced level course covering TCP/IP Internet communication protocol design, emerging wireless data networking and multimedia client-server applications. The Internet has become your business e-infrastructure. The success of the Internet and web-based services is bringing new ways of doing business in a global world and is constantly pushing the frontier with several exciting next generation networking technologies and applications. These calls for increased demand on business managers to better understand the networks they manage and Information System professionals to design, implement and operate these advanced networks to provide efficient and reliable services to their users.

This course is organized into three sections. The first section deals with the core of the course: Internet and TCP/IP protocols. We would begin with a review of the history of the Internet followed by brief discussion of underlying network technologies including LANs and WANs. The design of IP protocol and its function in addressing, routing, error control and basic datagram delivery will be covered. We will also look into why and how IP will change in the near future to IPV6 protocol. Routing forms a fundamental part of the global Internet and we would discuss backbone routing using core gateways, autonomous system routing using EGP, BGP, intranet routing using RIP. Protocol layering will be discussed along with the reliable byte-transfer protocol known as TCP. We will cover end-to-end process communication using the idea of protocol ports and UDP. Application process design using the popular client-server paradigm would be discussed along with socket APIs, DNS servers. A few popular applications like ftp, email, and worldwide web would be discussed as running examples.

The second section would include an introduction to broadband networking and multimedia communications. The challenging issues of integrating IP over ATM (RFC 1577) would be discussed. We will look at Voice over IP and video applications and their use of new protocols like SIP, RTP and RTCP. We would then briefly discuss new quality-of-service architectures including Integrated Services, Differentiated Services and MPLS.

The third section is devoted to wireless data networking and emerging applications. In particular we will cover WiFi and WiMax networks. We will also discuss internet security and firewall design. This portion of the course will explore new emerging research topics like cyber-infrastructure, sensor networks, adhoc wireless networks and Grid computing.

Course Objective:

At the completion of this course, the student should

1. Learn and understand the design, operation and management of TCP/IP based intranet and internets.
2. Apply principles of broadband technology towards multimedia networks.
3. Be capable of configuring TCP/IP hosts and routers with direct hands-on knowledge.
4. Develop business applications that use socket programming to run over the Internet.
5. Students should be able to grasp recent research topics in this area and present that material to any audience.
6. With the acquired knowledge and a little bit of real world experience, you should be able to successfully participate in design, deployment and management of various types of IP networks and applications.

Course Requirements:

1. Regular attendance and active participation in class.
2. Preparation of reading and questions assigned to class.
3. Prepare and present the applications/research papers.
4. Complete and demonstrate the socket programming project (may be done in groups).
5. Take mid-term and other exams.
6. Complete hands-on laboratory exercises and the research paper.

Grading:

Text and Readings:

• Internetworking with TCP/IP, Vol. 1, Principles, Protocols and Architecture by Douglas E. Comer. Fourth Edition, Prentice Hall, 2000, ISBN 0-13-018380-6. [Note that a recent 5^th edition is also out which can be used.]
• Guide to TCP/IP, by Laura A. Chappell and Ed Tittel. Third Edition, Thompson Course Technology, 2007, ISBN-13 978-1-4188-3755-6
• Check the course reading links section of this web site to find access to all research papers and articles.

Schedule (may be modified as required):

[Chaps refer to Comer’s Text. LT under Hands-on chapters refer to Chappell & Tittel TCP/IP book]

Lab:

We will have a portable TCP/IP lab set up in the classroom. You can bring along your laptop with wireless card and plug in. But you can also do all the hands-on exercises in your leisure time for which you will need a Windows 2000 or XP machine connected to the Internet.

Class Participation:

The course is only effective when participants have prepared readings on topics being discussed in class and are ready to contribute to the class discussion. Students are expected to provide their experiences either at work, prior job and somewhere else that relates to Internet technology.

Both the quantity of comments (i.e. how many times a student speaks) and, more importantly, the quality of the comments will be taken into account. The quality of your comments will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Does the comment represent a solid analysis of facts or just a reiteration of what was said?
• Does the comment address the question currently on the floor, or is it way off the mark?
• Does the comment demonstrate an ability to listen to and build from what others have said?
• Is the point made concisely, or is it buried in a long, rambling, diatribe?
• Does the comment move the discussion to an important area or does it just rephrase what has already been said?

Group Projects:

The class will either organize itself into groups, or the instructor will form groups based on the total number of students enrolled. The same grade will be accorded to each group members. A lower grade can be assigned to a group member if the majority of group indicates (which must be done before submitting the work for grading) that this member has been “free-riding” and not contributing to the group’s work. Such input must be submitted as a peer review along with the submission of the work. Any such input after the work is submitted will NOT be entertained.

Presentation:

There will be 1 student presentation and their topics will be assigned in advance by the instructor. The purpose of these presentations are:

• for you to document your reading of articles relevant to the course syllabus.
• To demonstrate your comprehension of recent advances in TCP/IP and how they affect today’s organizations
• To test your ability to present somewhat complex materials to general audiences.

The format of the presentation will be a maximum of 15 PowerPoint slides.  Your presentation will, usually, describe the major issues for the chosen topic or book chapter. Following a brief introduction, highlight and discuss the important facts and issues presented in the article. If necessary, even quote from it to further emphasize important issues. When alternatives are discussed, make sure to bring your own ideas. In addition to presenting the facts and your thoughts, try to encourage and lead a class discussion on debated issues. Try to surprise your classmates with additional information that will contribute to their knowledge and increase their familiarity with the relevant issues. When wrapping up the presentation, make sure you highlight again the major issues and problems, as well as the proposed solutions and recommendations. Each group will have 25 minutes to present including Q/A.

Research Paper:

Students will be required to research on a particular topic that you choose and write a detailed research article. You will work closely with the instructor to choose your research topic. Each student will discuss their findings in class through a presentation.

Policy on Class Attendance and Participation:

Students are expected to attend all classes (and to arrive on time!), except when precluded by emergencies, religious holidays or other extenuating circumstances. If you will be absent from class for any reason, please notify the instructor in advance whenever possible. If you have an unusual situation that will affect your class attendance, please discuss this with me. All students are expected to be prepared to discuss the final project presentation and critique the presentations of others. In assigning grades, both your class attendance and your contribution during class discussions will be taken into consideration. I will be keeping tabs on how active you are in case discussions and other discussions throughout the semester.

Socket Programming Project:

The class requires you to develop a business application that uses TCP/IP socket programming. Details will be taught in class. You may do this project alone or with a partner. Regarding language, C, C++ or Java is preferred and will be fully supported by the instructor. However, you may wish to code it in any other language of your choice (such as Visual Basic, or .NET) but you will be RESPONSIBLE for all necessary support and environment issues including development toolkits, compilers and IDEs.