CSE4703S: Introduction to Computer Networks (Spring 2026)

Course Description:
This course provides a broad overview of computer networking. Topics include Internet: core and edge, history, application layer protocols, Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Domain Name System (DNS), peer-to-peer (P2P), transport layer design issues, transport layer protocols, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), TCP congestion control, network layer, Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), routing algorithms, routing protocols, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), datalink layer and local area networks carrier sense multiple access with collision detection (CSMA/CD), Ethernet, virtual local area networks (VLANs), Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), wireless and mobile networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), multimedia networking, security in computer networks, and cryptography.

Learning Outcomes: (What will you learn?)

What messages are exchanged in popular networking applications, such as the web, email, file transfer, etc?
How do names like www.google.com get translated to IP addresses such as 74.125.73.104?
What is done to avoid congestion under overload?
How is the path on the Internet determined?
What happens if bits in a packet get corrupted?
How do Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet work?
What is done to handle audio/video on the Internet?
How can we guarantee security on the Internet?

Prerequisite: CSE 131 (Computer Science I) or permission of the instructor (Note: CSE 241 as indicated in the course catalog is not required.)

Textbook: J. F. Kurose and K. W. Ross, "Computer Networks: A Top-Down Approach," 8th Edition, Pearson, 2021, ISBN: 9780136681557

Instructor: Prof. Raj Jain, jain@wustl.edu, Office: McKelvey 2018, Office Hours: By appointment

Location: The class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:20 PM.

Teaching Assistant: Chenliang Tian

Teaching Assistants Office Hours: Sunday 3-4PM (By demand - Make a request on Piazza)

Instruction Type: Online Hybrid Course (OLH).
All class sessions will be held via Zoom. See Canvas for the Zoom link. All exams will be in person.

All questions about the homeworks and exam grading should be directed to TAs via Piazza.

Audio/Video recordings of lectures from the previous offering of this course are available online: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2019, Fall 2016, Fall 2011, Fall 2010, Fall 2009, Fall 2005.

Tentative Schedule (Subject to Change)

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Class	Day	Date	Topic	Chapter
1	Monday	1/12/26	Course Overview
2	Wednesday	1/14/26	Computer Networks and the Internet (Part 1)	1
	Monday	1/19/26	MLK Jr. Holiday
3	Wednesday	1/21/26	Computer Networks and the Internet (Part 2)	1
4	Monday	1/26/26	Application Layer (Part 1): HTTP	2
5	Wednesday	1/28/26	Application Layer (Part 2): SMTP, DNS, P2P	2
6	Monday	2/2/26	Transport Layer (Part 1): Design Issues	3
7	Wednesday	2/4/26	Transport Layer (Part 2): UDP, Flow Control	3
8	Monday	2/9/26	Transport Layer (Part 3): TCP, TCP Congestion Control	3
			The Network Layer: Data Plane (Part 1: Network Layer Basics)	4
9	Wednesday	2/11/26	Network Layer Data Plane (Part 2: IP Datagram, NAT, UPNP, DHCP)	4
10	Monday	2/16/26	Exam 1 review	1-3
11	Wednesday	2/18/26	Exam 1	1-3
12	Monday	2/23/26	Network Layer Data Plane (Part 3: SDN)	4
			The Network Layer: Control Plane (Part 1: Dijkstra's, Bellman-Ford Algorithms)	5
13	Wednesday	2/25/26	The Network Layer: Control Plane (Part 2: OSPF and BGP )	5
14	Monday	3/2/26	The Network Layer: Control Plane (Part 3: SDN Controller + ICMP + SNMP )	5
			The Link Layer and LANs (Part 1): CRC	6
15	Wednesday	3/4/26	The Link Layer and LANs (Part 2): Multiple Access	6
	Monday	3/9/26	Spring Break - No class
	Wednesday	3/11/26	Spring Break - No class
16	Monday	3/16/26	The Link Layer and LANs (Part 3): Ethernet, VLANs, MPLS, Data Centers	6
17	Wednesday	3/18/26	Wireless and Mobile Networks (Part 1): Wireless Characteristics, LANs and PANs	7
18	Monday	3/23/26	Exam 2 Review	3-6
19	Wednesday	3/26/26	Exam 2	3-6
20	Monday	3/30/26	Wireless and Mobile Networks (Part 2): Wireless Characteristics, LANs and PANs	7
21	Wednesday	4/1/26	Wireless and Mobile Networks (Part 3): Mobility Management	7
22	Monday	4/6/26	Security in Computer Networks (Part 1): Cryptography	8
23	Wednesday	4/8/26	Security in Computer Networks (Part 2)	8
24	Monday	4/13/26	Security in Computer Networks (Part 3)	8
25	Wednesday	4/15/26	Security in Computer Networks (Part 4)	8
26	Monday	4/20/26	Exam 3 Review	7-8
27	Wednesday	4/22/26	Exam 3	7-8

Grading:

Exams (Best 2 of 3)	60%	(30% Each)
Class participation	05%
Class Quizzes	10%
Homeworks	15%
Labs	10%

Complete List of Audio and Video Recording of Lectures by Raj Jain
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