Course Syllabus

Course Name: Computer Network Design  (CSE 550 - 01)
Semester:         Second Semester (082)
Course URL:   http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/salah/082/cse550/

Instructor: Dr. Khaled Salah

        Phone : 4493      

        Email: salah@kfupm.edu.sa      

        Office : 22-319

        Office hours:

                     Shortly after class and also,

Day	Start Time	End Time
SMW	0900	1000

NOTE: When sending an email  please indicate CSE550 in the "Subject" field of your email, e.g. CSE550: Question about Project 1.

PREREQUISITES

• ICS 570 or COE 540 – Advanced Computer Networks
 
• Network Management
• Queueing Theory

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Types of computer networks: LANs, VLANs, and WANs. Routing algorithms and routing protocols. The network development life cycle. Network analysis and design methodology. Network design issues: Manageability; Node placement and sizing; Link topology and sizing; Routing; Reliability. Data in support of network design. Structured enterprise network design. Hierarchical tree network design: Terminal assignment; Concentrator location. Mesh topology optimization. Traffic flow analysis. Analysis of loss and delay in networks. Network reliability issues.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The aim is to teach students how to evaluate a network situation, and to help students to identify the most important network aspects that need to be monitored and analysed. Modelling and simulation techniques to describe the current network situation are covered.

COURSE OUTCOMES

At the end of this course you should be able to:

• Describe and develop a network model using analysis and simulation
• Design a new network model to meet requirements for new and existing networks.
• Use quantitative and qualitative techniques to design or upgrade a network
• Making decisions on the proper network technologies, routing protocols, network topologies, node placement, etc.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose network problems
• Identify network issues, risks, bottlenecks, etc
• Proficient in using simulation tools as OPNET, management and measurement tools, etc
• Learn how to be a good team player by working on a semester-long project
• Write a technical report, technical essay describing a subject briefly or elaborately as required.
• Communicate design content, risk assessment, security issues and budgetary considerations to upper-management

TEXT BOOK

• J. McCabe, "Practical Computer Network -- Analysis and Design," Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Inc. 1998

• T. Mann-Rubinson and  K. Terplan, "Network Design:  Management and Technical Perspectives," CRC Publisher, 1988.

• R. Breyer and S. Riley, "Switched, Fast, and Gigabit Ethernet," Macmillan Technical Publishing, 3rd Ed, 1999

• P. Oppenheimer, "Top-Down Network Design," Cisco Press, 2001

• T. Quinn-Andry and K. Haller, "Designing Campus Networks," Cisco Press, 1998

• Extensive  handouts or links regarding various topics will be provided on the course website

COURSE CONTENTS

• Introduction to Network Design
• The Science of Network Design:
  • Network Analysis (Delay, Throughput, Probability Loss, etc.)
  • Network Simulation and Opnet
  • Traffic Measurement Tools
• The Art of Network Design:
  • Making Technology Choices
  • Ethernet vs. ATM
  • Ethernet Switching, VLAN and Layer 3 Switching
  • Cabling, Network Components
  • Deployment and  Migration
  • Node Placement
  • Reliability, Redundancy, & Routing
  • Case Studies of LAN Network Design (CCSE, KFUPM)
• WAN Network Design
  • Centralized and Distributed Network Design
  • Star topology networks
  • Tree topology networks
  • Backbone Networks
  • Mesh networks

 

GRADING 

Homework Assignments	45 %
Project or Research Paper	30 %
Final Exam	25 %

No make-up examinations will be given!!

COURSE WEBSITE

Students are required to periodically check the course website and download course materials as needed. 

USING EMAIL 

Please use email whenever possible, avoiding using phone calls and hand written notes.

ATTENDANCE

• Any student in position of an excuse for officially authorized absence must present this excuse to the instructor no later than one-week following his resumption of class attendance. 

• No warnings will be given prior to assigning a DN grade.

• For this course the maximum permitted absences are 7 lectures.  

COURTESY 
I will expect students to be courteous toward the instructor and their classmates throughout the duration of this course. Talking while someone else is speaking will not be tolerated. Furthermore, all cell phones must be turned off during class.  In addition, students are expected to be in class on time. Late arrivals will disrupt the class session. 

Best of luck!!