15-441/641 Fall 2020

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 mid-term exam and one final.

"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 student who meet the prerequisites have been cleared, we will consider students with a strong systems background. 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.

Instructors

Name	Email	Office	Office Hours
Prof Justine Sherry	sherry@cs.cmu.edu	THE INTERNET	Mondays and Fridays, Click to Schedule
Prof Peter Steenkiste	prs AT cs DOT cmu DOT edu	See Canvas	Open office hours: Mon 11-noon; Wed 10-11am By appointment: Th 1:30-3pm; Fr 4-5pm See Canvas for Zoom and reservation links

Teaching Assistants

Name	Email	Office	Office Hours
Christopher Canel	ccanel@cmu.edu	Zoom	Friday, 11am-12pm ET and by appointment
Ron He	zechengh@andrew.cmu.edu	Zoom	Monday, 2-3pm ET
Wuwei Lin	wuweil@andrew.cmu.edu	Zoom	Tuesday, 5-6pm ET
Zhenzhen Liu	zhenzhel@andrew.cmu.edu	Zoom	Tuesday, 6-7pm ET
Pengyun Zhao	pengyunz@andrew.cmu.edu	Zoom	Tuesday, 9-10pm ET & Wednesday, 2-3pm ET

Course Administrator

Name	Email	Office
Mrs. Tracy Farbacher	tt1b@andrew.cmu.edu

• Canvas:
  You'll find zoom links here for lectures, recitations and office hours.
• Piazza:
  If you have a question about a project handout or a technical issue, there is an excellent chance that other students have the same question. Please read the posts on Piazza to see if there has been traffic, and consider posting your questions there.
• Staff mailing list: staff-441 at cs dot cmu dot edu
  If you have a question you believe is particular to your circumstances and should not be posted in a public forum send mail to the staff list, which reaches the instructors and TAs. If your question involves a confidential personal or academic-conduct issue, you should probably contact one of the instructors in person or send mail to both.