TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Course Outline (W2023)

COE865: Advanced Computer Networks

Instructor(s)Dr. Muhammad Jaseemuddin [Coordinator]
Office: EPH406A
Phone: (416) 979-5000 x 556073
Email: jaseem@torontomu.ca
Office Hours: Wed 12-1pm and online upon request
Calendar DescriptionThis is an advanced level undergraduate course in computer networking. The course is designed to include materials relevant to the industry, for example IP routing and traffic engineering. The course deals with the principles, architectures, algorithms, and protocols related to the Internet, with emphasis on routing, transport protocol design, flow control and congestion control, quality of service, traffic engineering and MPLS. It also introduces network virtualization and software-defined networking (SDN). (Formerly ELE 865.)
PrerequisitesCOE 768
Antirequisites

None

Corerequisites

None

Compulsory Text(s):
  1. Computer Networks 5/e, A. Tanenbaum and D. Wetherall, 5nd edition, Prentice Hall, 2010.
Reference Text(s):
  1. TCP/IP Illustrated Volume 1, W. Richard Stevens, Addison-Wesley, 2007.
  2. Communication Networks – Fundamental Concepts and Key Architectures 2/e, A.Leon-Garcia and I. Widjaja, McGraw Hill, 2004.
Learning Objectives (Indicators)  

At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:

  1. Show the use of judgment in solving problems with uncertainty and imprecise information through designing networks for particular routing schemes and demonstrating in the lab. (2a)
  2. Analyze, design and solve routing, transport, quality of service and traffic engineering problems. Understand, and effectively use, engineering principles and theories to generate solutions with multiple objectives and often-conflicting goals between customers and service providers. Objectively determine relative value of feasible alternatives and trade-offs. (4b)
  3. Objectively determine relative value of feasible alternatives or proposed solutions.Analyze, design and solve routing, transport, quality of service and traffic engineering problems. Understand, and effectively use, engineering principles and theories to generate solutions with multiple objectives and often-conflicting goals between customers and service providers. Objectively determine relative value of feasible alternatives and trade-offs. (4c)
  4. Demonstrate the main design features of the project and answer critical and project specific questions during project demo. Write a formal technical report explaining the design and test cases, where the report is assessed based on technical writing, general organization, clarity and concise presentation of information. (7a)
  5. Knowing safety, privacy and security concerns of customers and addressing them in making decisions for network design and ISP services. (10a)

NOTE:Numbers in parentheses refer to the graduate attributes required by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).

Course Organization

3.0 hours of lecture per week for 13 weeks
1.0 hours of lab per week for 12 weeks
0.0 hours of tutorial per week for 12 weeks

Teaching AssistantsAbhishek Gupta (abhishek1.gupta@torontomu.ca)
Course Evaluation
Theory
Midterm Exam 25 %
Quizzes 10 %
Final Exam 30 %
Laboratory
Lab Reports and demo 20 %
Project 15 %
TOTAL:100 %

Note: In order for a student to pass a course, a minimum overall course mark of 50% must be obtained. In addition, for courses that have both "Theory and Laboratory" components, the student must pass the Laboratory and Theory portions separately by achieving a minimum of 50% in the combined Laboratory components and 50% in the combined Theory components. Please refer to the "Course Evaluation" section above for details on the Theory and Laboratory components (if applicable).


ExaminationsMidterm exam in Week 7 (March 3), two hours, closed book (covers Weeks 1-6).
 Final exam, during exam period, three hours, closed book.
Other Evaluation Information* Quiz-1 in Week 5 (tentative) and Quiz-2 in Week 11 (tentative)
 * Laboratory and project are important components of learning and practicing the topics learnt in the class. You are expected to do your labs individually and make significant contribution to the project. You will be evaluated individually for the labs and the project. Lab manual includes details about submission, late penalty, and evaluation of the labs.
 * Project evaluation may consist of software code, report and project demonstration.
Teaching MethodsClass schedule: Fridays at 8am-11am in CAR09.
 Labs will be demonstrated to the TA in ENG412.
Other Information3 hours of lecture per week for 13 weeks,

Course Content

Week

Hours

Chapters /
Section

Topic, description

1

1.5

Chapter 5, Section 1

Introduction: Internet Architecture Overview of IP and ICMP
 ICMP Route Redirects IP Source Routing


1-2

4.5

Chapter 5, Section 2

IP Routing: Distance Vector (RIP)


3-5

7

Chapter 5, Section 2

IP Routing: Link State (OSPF) and Inter-domain (BGP)
 


5-6

5

Chapter 5, Section 2

IP Routing: Multicast and IGMP
 


7-8

6

Chapter 6 Sections, 1-6

Transport Protocol: TCP flow control and congestion control TCP
 friendly congestion control
 


9-10

6

Chapter 5, Section 4

IP QoS: Traffic Conditioning QoS Scheduling Active Queue Management QoS models (IntServ and RSVP DiffServ) QoS applications
 


11-12

5

Chapter 5, Sections 5 and 6

Traffic Engineering: IP Traffic Engineering Constrained-based Routing MPLS
 


12-13

2

Network virtualization and SDN


Laboratory(L)/Tutorials(T)/Activity(A) Schedule

Week

L/T/A

Description

2

ENG412

Tutorial: T1-DHCP

2

ENG412

Tutorial: T2-DNS

3-4

ENG412

Lab1: Design and Configuration of a single domain network

5-6

ENG412

Lab2: Design and Evaluation of a RIP Network

7-8

ENG412

Lab3: Design and Evaluation of an OSPF Network

9-10

ENG412

Lab4: Design and Evaluation of a BGP Network

11-12

ENG412

Project demo

Policies & Important Information:

Students are reminded that they are required to adhere to all relevant university policies found in their online course shell in D2L and/or on the Senate website

  1. In accordance with the Policy on TMU Student E-mail Accounts (Policy 157), Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) requires that any electronic communication by students to TMU faculty or staff be sent from their official university email account;
  2. Any changes in the course outline, test dates, marking or evaluation will be discussed in class prior to being implemented;
  3. Assignments, projects, reports and other deadline-bound course assessment components handed in past the due date will receive a mark of ZERO, unless otherwise stated. Marking information will be made available at the time when such course assessment components are announced.
  4. Familiarize yourself with the tools you will need to use for remote learning. The Continuity of Learning Guide for students includes guides to completing quizzes or exams in D2L or Respondus, using D2L Brightspace, joining online meetings or lectures, and collaborating with the Google Suite.
  5. The University has issued a minimum technology requirement for remote learning. Details can be found at: https://torontomu.ca/covid-19/students/minimum-technology-requirements-remote-learning. Please ensure you meet the minimum technology requirements as specified in the above link.
  6. Toronto Metropolitan University COVID-19 Information and Updates (available https://www.torontomu.ca/covid-19/students) for Students summarizes the variety of resources available to students during the pandemic.
  7. Refer to our Departmental FAQ page for information on common questions and issues at the following link: https://www.ecb.torontomu.ca/guides/Student.Academic.FAQ.html.

Missed Classes and/or Evaluations

When possible, students are required to inform their instructors of any situation which arises during the semester which may have an adverse effect upon their academic performance, and must request any consideration and accommodation according to the relevant policies as far in advance as possible. Failure to do so may jeopardize any academic appeals.

  1. Academic Consideration Requests for missed work (e.g. missing tests, labs, etc) - According to Senate Policy 134, Section 1.2.3, if you miss any exams, quizzes, tests, labs, and/or assignments for health or compassionate reasons you need to inform your instructor(s) (via email whenever possible) in advance when you will be missing an exam, test or assignment deadline. When circumstances do not permit this, you must inform the instructor(s) as soon as reasonably possible". In the case of illness, a Toronto Metropolitan Student Health Certificate, or a letter on letterhead from an appropriate regulated health professional with the student declaration portion of the Student Health Certificate attached. For reasons other than illness, proper documentation is also required (e.g. death certificate, police report, TTC report). ALL supporting documentation for illness or compassionate grounds MUST be submitted within three (3) working days of the missed work." NOTE: You are required to submit all of your pertinent documentation through the University's online Academic Consideration Request system at the following link: prod.apps.ccs.torontomu.ca/senateapps.
  2. Religious, Aboriginal and Spiritual observance - If a student needs accommodation because of religious, Aboriginal or spiritual observance, they must submit a Request for Accommodation of Student Religious, Aboriginal and Spiritual Observance AND an Academic Consideration Request form within the first 2 weeks of the class or, for a final examination, within 2 weeks of the posting of the examination schedule. If the requested absence occurs within the first 2 weeks of classes, or the dates are not known well in advance as they are linked to other conditions, these forms should be submitted with as much lead time as possible in advance of the absence. Both documents are available at www.torontomu.ca/senate/forms/relobservforminstr.pdf. If you are a full-time or part-time degree student, then you submit the forms to your own program department or school;
  3. Academic Accommodation Support - Before the first graded work is due, students registered with the Academic Accommodation Support office (AAS - prod.apps.ccs.torontomu.ca/senateapps) should provide their instructors with an Academic Accommodation letter that describes their academic accommodation plan.

Virtual Proctoring Information (if used in this course)

Online exam(s) within this course may use a virtual proctoring system. Please note that your completion of any such virtually proctored exam may be recorded via the virtual platform and subsequently reviewed by your instructor. The virtual proctoring system provides recording of flags where possible indications of suspicious behaviour are identified only. Recordings will be held for a limited period of time in order to ensure academic integrity is maintained and then will be deleted.

Access to a computer that can support remote recording is your responsibility as a student. The computer should have the latest operating system, at a minimum Windows (10, 8, 7) or Mac (OS X 10.10 or higher) and web browser Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. You will need to ensure that you can complete the exam using a reliable computer with a webcam and microphone available, as well as a typical high-speed internet connection. Please note that you will be required to show your Toronto Metropolitan University OneCard prior to beginning to write the exam. In cases where you do not have a Toronto Metropolitan University OneCard, government issued ID is permitted.

Information will be provided prior to the exam date by your instructor who may provide an opportunity to test your set-up or provide additional information about online proctoring. Since videos of you and your environment will be recorded while writing the exam, please consider preparing the background (room / walls) so that personal details are not visible, or move to a room that you are comfortable showing on camera.

Academic Integrity

Toronto Metropolitan University's Policy 60 (the Academic Integrity policy) applies to all students at the University. Forms of academic misconduct include plagiarism, cheating, supplying false information to the University, and other acts. The most common form of academic misconduct is plagiarism - a serious academic offence, with potentially severe penalties and other consequences. It is expected, therefore, that all examinations and work submitted for evaluation and course credit will be the product of each student's individual effort (or an authorized group of students). Submitting the same work for credit to more than one course, without instructor approval, can also be considered a form of plagiarism.

Suspicions of academic misconduct may be referred to the Academic Integrity Office (AIO). Students who are found to have committed academic misconduct will have a Disciplinary Notation (DN) placed on their academic record (not on their transcript) and will normally be assigned one or more of the following penalties:

  1. A grade reduction for the work, ranging up to an including a zero on the work (minimum penalty for graduate work is a zero on the work);
  2. A grade reduction in the course greater than a zero on the work. (Note that this penalty can only be applied to course components worth 10% or less, and any additional penalty cannot exceed 10% of the final course grade. Students must be given prior notice that such a penalty will be assigned (e.g. in the course outline or on the assignment handout);
  3. An F in the course;
  4. More serious penalties up to and including expulsion from the University.

The unauthorized use of intellectual property of others, including your professor, for distribution, sale, or profit is expressly prohibited, in accordance with Policy 60 (Sections 2.8 and 2.10). Intellectual property includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Slides
  2. Lecture notes
  3. Presentation materials used in and outside of class
  4. Lab manuals
  5. Course packs
  6. Exams

For more detailed information on these issues, please refer to the Academic Integrity policy(https://www.torontomu.ca/senate/policies/pol60.pdf) and to the Academic Integrity Office website (https://www.torontomu.ca/academicintegrity).

Academic Accommodation Support

Toronto Metropolitan University acknowledges that students have diverse learning styles and a variety of academic needs. If you have a diagnosed disability that impacts your academic experience, connect with Academic Accommodation Support (AAS). Visit the AAS website or contact aasadmin@torontomu.ca for more information.

Note: All communication with AAS is voluntary and confidential, and will not appear on your transcript.

Important Resources Available at Toronto Metropolitan University

  1. The Library provides research workshops and individual assistance. If the University is open, there is a Research Help desk on the second floor of the library, or students can use the Library's virtual research help service at https://library.torontomu.ca/ask to speak with a librarian.

  2. Student Life and Learning Support offers group-based and individual help with writing, math, study skills, and transition support, as well as resources and checklists to support students as online learners.

  3. You can submit an Academic Consideration Request when an extenuating circumstance has occurred that has significantly impacted your ability to fulfill an academic requirement. You may always visit the Senate website and select the blue radial button on the top right hand side entitled: Academic Consideration Request (ACR) to submit this request).

    Please note that the Provost/Vice President Academic and Deans approved a COVID-19 statement for Fall 2022 related to academic consideration. This statement will be built into the Online Academic Consideration System and will also be on the Senate website (www.torontomu.ca/senate) in time for the Fall term:

    Policy 167: Academic Consideration for Fall 2022 due to COVID-19: Students who miss an assessment due to cold or flu-like symptoms, or due to self-isolation, are required to provide a health certificate. All absences must follow Senate Policy 167: Academic Consideration.

    Also NOTE: Policy 167: Academic Consideration does allow for a once per term academic consideration request without supporting documentation if the absence is less than 3 days in duration and is not for a final exam/final assessment. If the absence is more than 3 days in duration and/or is for a final exam/final assessment, documentation is required. For more information please see Senate Policy 167: Academic Consideration.

  4. TMU COVID-19 Information and Updates for Students summarizes the variety of resources available to students during the pandemic.

  5. TMU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

  6. If taking a remote course, familiarize yourself with the tools you will need to use for remote learning. The Remote Learning guide for students includes guides to completing quizzes or exams in D2L Brightspace, with or without Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor, using D2L Brightspace, joining online meetings or lectures, and collaborating with the Google Suite.

  7. Information on Copyright for students.

  8. At Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), we recognize that things can come up throughout the term that may interfere with a student's ability to succeed in their coursework. These circumstances are outside of one's control and can have a serious impact on physical and mental well-being. Seeking help can be a challenge, especially in those times of crisis.

    If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 and go to the nearest hospital emergency room. You can also access these outside resources at anytime:

    If non-crisis support is needed, you can access these campus resources:


    We encourage all Toronto Metropolitan University community members to access available resources to ensure support is reachable. You can find more resources available through the Toronto Metropolitan University Mental Health and Wellbeing website.