CY350 Computer Networks

This course provides an introduction to computer networks from both a theoretical and software design perspective. The goal is to provide the basic concepts necessary to understand the design and operation of computer networks and gain experience writing programs that use the network. Each level of the TCP/IP protocol stack is examined in detail with a heavy emphasis on socket programming, theoretical foundations, and cybersecurity implications.

Course Content, Lesson Plans, Labs

Course Syllabus

Welcome to CY350 - Computer Networks!

Jan 5, 2026

Introduction

Computer Networking and the Internet

Jan 6, 2026

In-Class Lab 1 (10 points)

Environment Setup with WSL and VSCode

Jan 6, 2026

Protocols, Layers, and Abstraction

How networking is structured

Jan 8, 2026

Network Evolution and Measuring Performance

Delay, loss, and throughput

Jan 12, 2026

In-Class Lab 2 (10 points)

Analyzing Client-Server Communication with netcat and tcpdump

Jan 14, 2026

Application Layer

How data is transmitted over the Internet

Jan 14, 2026

HTTP and the Web

Protocols and mechanisms

Jan 20, 2026

SMTP and DNS

Email and Directory of the Internet

Jan 27, 2026

In-Class Lab 3 (10 points)

Basic Client-Server Communication with HTTP and netcat

Feb 4, 2026

Socket Programming

Creating Network Applications

Feb 4, 2026

Transport Layer

Data transfer between hosts

Feb 9, 2026

Reliable Data Transfer

Getting messages across unreliable media

Feb 11, 2026

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

Understanding the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and its role in reliable data transfer

Feb 17, 2026

Flow and Congestion Control

Understanding how to manage data flow and prevent congestion in networks

Feb 19, 2026

In-Class Lab 4 (10 points)

Stop-and-Wait Reliable Transfer over UDP

Feb 23, 2026

Project 1 - Web Server and Reliable Data Transfer

Implement a basic Web Server and Go-Back-N protocols over UDP

Mar 4, 2026

Internet Protocol v4 (IPv4)

IPv4 packet structure, addressing, and subnetting

Mar 9, 2026

NAT and IPv6

Network Address Translation (NAT) and the transition to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)

Mar 11, 2026
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Lesson Slides

Course Resources

All the resources listed below are considered common knowledge and do not need to be cited.

Where to get the textbook

Textbook Assistance Websites

Guides and Documentation

Course Schedule

Lesson Day1 Day2 Assigned Due Date
1- Introduction to Networking 07 Jan 06 Jan Usage Agreement 11 Jan
2- Protocols, Layers, and Abstraction 09 Jan 08 Jan Problem Set 1 18 Jan
3- Assessing Terrain Conditions: Network Metrics 12 Jan 13 Jan Problem Set 2 25 Jan
4- Application Layer 14 Jan 15 Jan
5- HTTP and the Web 20 Jan 21 Jan
6- DNS and Email 30 Jan 27 Jan Problem Set 3 08 Feb
7- Socket Programming Lab 04 Feb 05 Feb Problem Set 4 15 Feb
8- Transport Layer 09 Feb 10 Feb⚡ Problem Set 5 22 Feb
9- Reliable Data Transfer 11 Feb 12 Feb
10- Transmission Control Protocol 18 Feb 17 Feb Problem Set 6 01 Mar
11- Flow and Congestion Control 20 Feb 19 Feb
12- UDP and QUIC —☃— 24 Feb
WPR1 Review 25 Feb 26 Feb
WPR1 02 Mar 03 Mar
13- Network Layer 04 Mar 05 Mar Project 1 24 Mar
14- Internet Protocol v4 09 Mar 10 Mar Problem Set 7 20 Mar
15- Internet Protocol v6 11 Mar 12 Mar
16- Routing Protocols- Link State, Distance Vector 16 Mar 17 Mar Problem Set 8 29 Mar
17- Control Plane 18 Mar 19 Mar Project 2 12 Apr
18- Link Layer 23 Mar 24 Mar Problem Set 9 06 Apr
19- Multiple Access Protocols & Switched LANs 25 Mar 26 Mar
20- Wireless Networks 07 Apr 08 Apr
21- Bluetooth & Cellular Networks 09 Apr 10 Apr
22- Network Security Basics 13 Apr 14 Apr Project 3 10 May
23- Transport Layer Security 15 Apr 16 Apr
24- VPNs and Wireless Network Security 20 Apr 21 Apr Problem Set 10 03 May
WPR2 27 Apr 28 Apr
25- Network Security Appliances 29 Apr 30 Apr
26- TBD 04 May 05 May
27- TBD 06 May 07 May