Overview.

Our first course (now called CS 640) in computer networks began as an experimental topics course in Fall 1983. The goal of CS 640 is to provide students with a solid technical introduction to topics in computer networks. Throughout the course, concepts/ideas are illustrated by reference to real protocols. Students read a number of standards documents (actually portions of these) and technical papers to supplement the text. In addition, there is a major systems design/implementation project. These three elements, concepts/ideas, real protocols and project, are all essential to the success of the course.