CS 4396 - Computer Networks Lab
Spring 2012

Course Information: This course aims at helping students get more insight into how the Internet works and gain hands on experience in building and configuring simple IP networks and related services.

Course Timing and Place: Friday 10:00am – 12:45pm in ECSS 2.203

Instructor Information:
Dr. Kamil Sarac (ksarac@utdallas.edu)
    Office: ES 4.207
    Phone: 972 883 2337
    Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 11:30am to 12:30pm and by appointment at other times.

Teaching Assistant:

Name: M. Engin Tozal
Office Hours: Wednesday 4:30 - 6:30 pm at ECSS 4.201 & Friday 3:30 - 5:30 pm at ECSS 4.201
Email: engintozal@utdallas.edu

Course Syllabus Tentative Schedule References

Lab Info:

• We recently updated the equipment in the lab and made some changes on how the PCs will be used in the labs. This document give a rough description of equipment use. I will also go over this in the lab and demonstrate it to you.
• Some issues related to Lab 1. Read more here.
• "minicom" a replacement for "kermit" serial terminal emulator. Read more here.
• "zebra" issues..... Read more here.
• "gbrctl" issue... Read more here.
• Some issues/clarifications related to Labs 5, 6, 7, and 8. Read more here.

Before you go to the Internet Lab

• Read book chapter and do related reading (a few hours)
• Complete prelab (<1 hour, if you have done the reading)

In the Internet lab

• Show up for your time slot
• Complete exercises (1 hour to several hours, Average: 3 hours)
• Take measurements
• Save data to your UTD home directory
• See here for more info about the textbook and the labs in it

After the lab

• Use data you saved to your home directory to answer questions in the book in your report
• Write lab report
• Submit lab report by due date

Rules for using the Lab

• Sign up for a time slot in class. Your time slot is allocated for the entire semester.
• You are guaranteed access to the lab during your time slot.
• If you are more than 15 minutes late you lose your time slot (i.e., anyone can use it)
• Outside your assigned lab section, you may use the lab by contacting the instructor or lab assistant.
• Note: Do not skip the prelabs. You will not be able to complete the labs in a reasonable time, otherwise.
• TA help will likely be limited to the 'experience' and 'presence' of the TA during your lab. If you have questions or problems, try to work around them. 
• Send a report of the problem to the TA.

What to submit with your lab report?

• Include the names and e-mails of both students on the Lab report - each group will send a common Lab report. However, each student needs to submit a prelab solutions. Prelab solutions should be your individual work, not a group work. Lab report will be group work with your lab partner.
• Submit both prelab solutions and Lab reports electronically via e-Learning system. Only one group member will submit the Lab report but each member will submit the prelab solutions.

How is the report graded?

• Prelab report: 20%
• Postlab report: 80% (Completeness and correctness: 60% and Quality of Presentation: 20%)

Miscellaneous:

• I will be using e-Learning to post your grades and make important announcements about the class. Please visit it frequently.
• If you want to e-mail me, please send your e-mails to my UTD e-mail account and NOT to e-Learning e-mail account.
• Class participation in terms of asking questions is highly encouraged. Please do not be afraid to ask questions no matter how simple you might think the answer could be. This type of interaction helps improve the effectiveness of the class and breaks the monotony.
• The presentation slides will be available on the class web page. I will try to put them up before each class meeting but no guarantees on that.
• After the grades for your mid-term and homework assignments are announced, you will have one week to appeal for your grades. So, please keep this in mind if you think that there is a problem/issue with the grading of your work.
• You should plan on taking the exams on the scheduled times. No late/early exams unless in case of an emergency situation such as health emergency or similar un-avoid-able situations and you need to provide convincing documentation for it. The exams will be closed books and closed notes. No calculators (unless otherwise stated) and no other electronic devices such as cell phones, beepers, etc. should be used during the exam.