Course Outline

Course Name:
ICS 570: Advanced Compuer Networking

Instructor:
Dr. Farag Azzedin
Building 22, Room 107
Phone: 860-3431
fazzedin@ccse.kfupm.edu.sa

Office hours: Sat/Mon/Wed 12:00 pm - 13:00 pm

Course Web site: http://www.ccse.kfupm.edu.sa/~fazzedin/COURSES/ANC2005

Consultation: In the instructor's office during listed office hours or by an appointment. Emails are also welcome.

Course Description:

This is a graduate-level course that examines modern computer networking and data communications. We will study the fundamental principles, elements, and protocols of computer networks. We will investigate how the different protocols work, why they work that way, and their performance trade-offs. Using this knowledge, we will try to examine the way applications are deployed on the Internet and their performance trade-offs. In particular, we will examine the advancements that are made in the fundamental areas of network computing. Several case studies will be conducted by examining example systems to understand the state-of-the-art. Particular focus of the course will be on Grid computing systems as well as Peer-to-Peer systems. A major component of the course will be two projects. Please see the Projects Information page.

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

Course Syllabus: The course syllabus is outline in this word document.

Grading:

Attendance, class participation and assignments	10%
Midterm exam	20%
Research paper	20%
Term project	20%
Final examination	30%

• Class participation: Students are expected to read some paper/chapter of relevant material before class. The reading material will be assigned beforehand. I expect students to pose relevant questions regarding the material presented in class. I expect the class to engage in a discussion based on these questions. It is very important that you attend all the classes. If there is a need to be absent, PLease contact the course instructor beforehand.
• Midterm exam: There will be a midterm exam. The questions will be from the material explained and discussed in the class. The midterm is scheduled on Apr. 3 in class.
• Research paper: In the research paper you are expected to cover the following aspects with regard to the material covered in the paper: the major problem, the innovative method, significance in practical settings, possible improvements, possible ways of alternative performance evaluation. The research paper grading policy will be posted soon. Please check the Projects Information page.
• Term project: You will be required to design and implement a substantial portion of a real network computing system. The objective is to get you intimately familiar with some of the emerging network computing technologies. The final project will be due in stages. There will be an initial project proposal with timelines, a mid-term progress report, and the final project (source code, documentation, report, and demonstration).
• Final exam: There will be a final exam. This will be held towards the end of the semester. The questions will be from the material discussed in the class. The specific scope of the exam will be defined well before the exam.

Book for part of the course:
Grid Resource Management (mirrored PDF)

References:
Grid Computing: Making the Global Infrastructure a Reality, Fran Berman, Geoffrey Fox, and Anthony Hey, John Wiley, 2004.

Academic Dishonesty: Students are expected to abide by all the University regulations on academic dishonesty. Discussing and brainstroming with other students are encouraged. But, what you write or code should be your own. In other words, DO NOT share code with other students. Receiving and providing code are equally WRONG! By doing this, you are defeating the purpose of the learning experience that is supposed to be provided by this course. When in doubt, consult either the University guidelines or ask the instructor.