15-441/641 is an introductory course in computer networks. The emphasis will be on the basic performance and engineering tradeoffs in the design and implementation of computer networks. To make the issues more concrete, the class includes several multi-week projects requiring significant design and implementation.
The goal is for students to learn not only what computer networks are and how they work today, but also why they are designed the way they are and how they are likely to evolve in the future. We will draw examples primarily from the Internet. Topics to be covered include: congestion/flow/error control, routing, addressing, naming, multi-casting, switching, internetworking, and network security. Evaluation is based on homework assignments, the projects, one midterm exam, and one final exam.
The course has both lectures and recitations. Lectures are used to present the course material while recitations are used to introduce, and presen background for, the course projects, review course material, etc. The schedule and location of the lectures and recitations can be found on the registrar's web page.
"Introduction to Computer Systems" is a prerequisite for the course. It is offered under the following course numbers: 15-213, 18-213, and 15-513. Graduate students must get a B to satisfy the prerequisite. Students who have taken the prerequisite course at CMU get priority when we move students from the waiting list.
Once students who meet the prerequisites have been cleared, we will consider students with a strong systems background. If you have not taken the prerequisites for this course but would like to still be considered for the course, please sign up on the alternative waitlist here. These decisions will be made in the first or second week of the semester. Do not send mail to the instructors about this (e.g., explaining your background) - it will not help your case.
| Name | Office | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prof. Steenkiste | prs AT cs.cmu.edu | GHC 9111 | Th noon-1:30pm |
| Name | Office | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawn Chen | shuoshuc AT cs.cmu.edu | CIC 2117 | Th 9-10am/td> |
| Alexis Schlomer | aschlome AT andrew.cmu.edu | GHC 5th floor Citadel Teaching Commons Table 7 | Mo 1-2pm |
| Darshil Kaneria | dkaneria AT andrew.cmu.edu | GHC Gates 7101 | Tu 5-6pm |
| Yifan Guang | yguang AT andrew.cmu.edu | GHC 5th floor Citadel Teaching Commons Table 6 | Wed 9:30-10:30am |
| Daiyaan Arfeen | marfeen AT andrew.cmu.edu | CIC 2117 | Mo 3-4pm |
| Name | Office | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracy Farbacher | tt1b AT andrew.cmu.edu | GHC 4103 |