15-441/641 Homepage

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.

• Instructors: Justine Sherry and Peter Steenkiste
• Lecture time: Tue, Thu 1:30 - 2:50pm in Posner A35
• Recitations on Friday:
• A: 11:30-12:20, GHC 4102
• B: 12:30-1:20, SH 220
• C: 1:30-2:20, BH 235B
• D: 2:30-3:20, GHC 4211
• E: 3:30-4:20, SH 220
• Units: 12

"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	GHC 9227	Tuesday 3:00-4:00
Prof Peter Steenkiste	prs AT cs DOT cmu DOT edu	GHC 9107	Wednesday 1:00-2:00

Teaching Assistants

Name	Email	Office	Office Hours
Ranysha Ware	rware@cs.cmu.edu	GHC 7503	Thurs 10:30-11:30 (Held in GHC Commons)
Daehyeok Kim	daehyeok@cs.cmu.edu	GHC 7004	Monday 10:00-11:00
Sannan Tariq	stariq@cs.cmu.edu	GHC 6211	Monday 1:00-2:00
Krithika Vijayan	kvijayan@andrew.cmu.edu
Alex Bainbridge	abainbri@andrew.cmu.edu	TBD	Mondays 2:30-3:30PM

Course Administrator

Name	Email	Office
Mrs. Angela Malloy	amalloy AT cs DOT cmu DOT edu	GHC 9006

• 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.