Computer networks
Topic outline
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If you take this course, you will learn all about network architectures and the principles on which they rely. By the end of the semester, you will know how TCP/IP works, what Internet routers look like inside, why your Internet connection is sometimes very slow, and what are the main threats to Internet security. You will also be able to design and code very simple network applications and protocols and perform simple network troubleshooting.
Course website: https://compnet.epfl.ch -
Topics:- End-systems, packets switches, and links (Ch. 1.2)
- Internet Service Providers (Ch. 1.3.3)
- Layers and network interfaces (Ch. 1.5)
- Lab: Basic networking tools
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Topics:
- How do we evaluate a network? (Ch. 1.4)
- How do we share it? (Ch. 1.3.1, Ch. 1.3.2)
- Homework: Estimating network performance
- Lab: Measuring network performance
- How do we evaluate a network? (Ch. 1.4)
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Topics:- Client-server vs peer-to-peer (P2P) architectures (Ch. 2.1.1)
- The web (Ch. 2.2)
- Lab: Peeking under the web
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Topics:
- Domain Name Service (DNS) (Ch. 2.4)
- P2P file sharing + Distributed Hash Tables (DHTs) (Ch. 2.5)
- Homework: The web-DNS interplay
- Lab: The Domain Name System
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Topics:
Socket programming (Ch. 2.7)
Transport layer:- Transport services (Ch. 3.1)
- Multiplexing & demultiplexing (Ch. 3.2)
- Principles of reliable delivery (Ch. 3.4)
- Transport services (Ch. 3.1)
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Interaction:
- Office hours: Tue, Nov. 3, 12h00-14h00 [on discord]
- Midterm review session: Wed, Nov. 4, 15h15-17h00 [on discord]
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- This is an open-notes exam.
- It consists of 3 problems. The total number of points is 50.
- Each problem is structured as a Moodle quiz. Don't forget to submit each attempt once you complete it. You can submit as many attempts as you want, but only the last one will count.
- In Problem 1, the questions are either multiple choice or take as an answer a short piece of text.
- In Problems 2 and 3, each question takes as an answer a piece of text. You can enter your text directly (quicker and easier) or upload a file.
- Write your answers in English or in French.
- Please work on your own. Good luck!
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- This is an open-notes exam.
- It consists of 3 problems. The total number of points is 50. The total number of pages is 13.
- Download the exam from the first link below.
- Write your answers as clearly as possible, in English or in French.
- Upload your completed exam as a single file using the second link below. Make sure that your answers are clearly visible on the uploaded file.
- Please work on your own. Good luck!
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Topics:
- TCP connection setup & teardown (Ch. 3.5.1, Ch. 3.5.6)
- Reliable data delivery (Ch. 3.5.3, Ch. 3.5.4)
- Flow control (Ch. 3.5.5)
- Congestion control (Ch. 3.7 up to and not including "TCP Congestion Control: Retrospective")
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This quiz covers the material discussed in Lectures 7 and 8 (the network layer).
It will be open on Wednesday, November 25, from 6h00 to 23h59.
You have 1 attempt, and you can work on it for 15 minutes. Once you click on "Submit all and finish", you cannot change your answers any more. You will see the correct answers (and your grade) as soon as the quiz closes.
Please do the quiz on your own and do not share any information about it with your friends who have not done it yet. This way you will help us assess and improve our teaching.
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Topics:
- Forwarding vs. routing (Ch. 4.1.1)
- Virtual circuits vs. datagram networks (Ch. 4.1.2)
- IP forwarding (Ch. 4.2.1, Ch. 4.3.2, Ch. 4.3.3, Ch. 4.3.4)
- Forwarding vs. routing (Ch. 4.1.1)
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Topics:
- Routing (Ch. 5.1, Ch. 5.2)
- Routing (Ch. 5.1, Ch. 5.2)
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Topics:
- Building blocks (Ch. 8.1, Ch. 8.3.1)
- Providing security properties (Ch. 8.3.2, Ch. 8.3.3, Ch. 8.4)
- Securing Internet protocols (Ch. 8.5.1, Ch. 8.6, Ch. 8.7.1)
- Operational security (Ch. 8.9.1, only the "Traditional packet filters")
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Topics:
- Definition
- Link-layer services
- Addressing
- Forwarding
- Learning
- Address resolution
- Putting it all together
- Definition
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This quiz covers the material discussed in Lectures 9 and 10 (security and link layer).
It will be open on Wednesday, December 16, from 6h00 to 23h59.
You have 1 attempt, and you can work on it for 15 minutes. Once you click on "Submit all and finish", you cannot change your answers any more. You will see the correct answers (and your grade) as soon as the quiz closes.
New feature: If you start the quiz but do not submit your attempt by the deadline, it will be submitted automatically.
Please do the quiz on your own and do not share any information about it with your friends who have not done it yet. This way you will help us assess and improve our teaching.
