Comp 343-001/443-001, Computer Networks, Spring 2010

Peter Dordal, Loyola University Chicago Dept of Computer Science.

The class meets Thursday, 4:15-6:45, Corboy Law 522.

The text is the fourth edition of Peterson & Davie's Computer Networks, A Systems Approach. (The third edition is still ok)

My general course groundrules are here. Exams will count for between 70% to 80% of your grade, with homework and programs making up the rest.

The midterm will be March 18 (week 8). The final is Thursday, May 6, at our usual time and place.

Here is the final exam study guide; solutions are included.

Here is the course survey. You have through Sunday night, May 2, to answer it.

Spring 2022:
I am generally in my office on Mondays from noon to a little before 4:00.
Sometimes I have meetings or come in late, so check first.
I am also available other times via Zoom, by appointment. Contact me via email for the Zoom meeting ID.


Study guides and materials

Midterm Study guide.

Course notes
Week 1: Jan 21
Week 2: Jan 28
Week 3: Feb 4
Week 4: Feb 11
Week 5: Feb 18
Week 6: Feb 25
Week 7: Mar 4
Week 8: Mar 18
Week 9: Mar 25
Apr 1: Easter break
Week 10: Apr 8
Week 11: Apr 15
Week 12: Apr 22
Week 13: Apr 29


java simpletalk examples

TCP: server, clientthreaded server
UDP: server, client


A very brief introduction to networks

My Ethernet notes

Programming Projects

    Portscan program, due March 26

    Comp 343: forwarder, due April 30
    Comp 443: TCP reassembler, due April 30


The material divides naturally into three "tracks" that we will alternate between, at will. Here are the tracks: This looks like the traditional four-layer model (LAN/IP/transit/application), but we're not really abiding by any strict layering. Here is further information about what will be covered in each track:

LAN basics

1.1 basics
1.2 layering
1.3 sockets programming intro
2.1 links basics
2.5 reliable transmission (moved up to accomodate TCP)
3.1 switching and forwarding (moved up to accomodate IP)
2.2 encoding
2.3 framing
2.4 error detection
2.6 Ethernet
3.2 bridged Ethernet
3.3 ATM

IP and routing

4.1 IP basics
4.2 Distance-Vector and Link-State Routing
4.3 Subnets, supernets, BGP, and IPv6; backbone structure; AADS v MAE EAST.

TCP and congestion

5.1 UDP
5.2 TCP
5.3 Remote Procedure Call (blast/chan v Sun)
6.1 Congestion issues
6.2 Queuing models
6.3 TCP congestion management: Reno and Tahoe
6.4 DECbit, RED, and TCP Vegas
6.5 Reservation-based approaches to congestion




The following classic paper has useful information about TCP/IP security: Security Problems in the TCP/IP Protocol Suite by Steve Bellovin.