CS 740: Advanced Computer Networks
Spring 2008
[ Overview | Reading List | Lectures | Reading Schedule ]
Overview

This course will provide a broad overview of Computer Networking research. In general, we will look at three aspects of the research in various networking topics:

  1. The Classical Past: We will survey a handful of "classical" research ideas and approaches. Some of these have stood the test of time. Others are widely revered even today, yet they are seldom used. We will try to understand why this is the case for each approach/idea.
  2. The Cutting-Edge Present: We will explore the state of the art in select networking technologies, protocols and algorithms. We will investigate the driving forces behind these, and their sustainability in the future.
  3. The Fictional Future: We will overview some emerging ideas on how to reshape the Internet to gear up for the unforeseen future. We will investigate if, and why, such ideas may be necessary, and how they might materialize.

The goal of this course is not only to keep students abreast with current networking research, but also to encourage them to think "clean-slate": Given the benefit of hind-sight, if we were to redesign the Internet from scratch, how would we do it? The course syllabus can be found here.

Other Course Details

Course prerequisites: The pre-requisite for this course is CS 640, the undergraduate-level course in Computer Networks, or an equivalent under-graduate course. Students who do not meet these pre-requisites must obtain special permission from the instructor.

Text books and Readings: There is no required text for this course. The entire paper reading list is available here.

Grading: The course project carries 45% of the grade. The paper summaries are worth 10%. The course will have two in-class exams, carrying 40% of the grade. Class participation will count for 5%.

General Information

Class Time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30-10.45AM (No more than twice a week on average)
Location: Comp Sci and Stat 1263

Instructor: Aditya Akella
Email: akella@cs.wisc.edu
Office: CS 7379
Office Hours: 11am-Noon after class, on each class day.

Teaching Assistant: Jianming Wu
Email: jianming@cs.wisc.edu
Office: CS 5393
Office Hours: 4-5pm Tuesdays and Thursdays (or by appointment)

Page last modified: 01-14-2008