CS 4396 - Computer Networks Lab
Spring 2009

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 9:30 – 12:15 am in ECSS 2.201

Instructor Information:
Dr. Kamil Sarac (ksarac@utdallas.edu)
    Office: ES 4.207
    Phone: 972 883 2337
    Office hours: Tuesdays at 1 to 2pm; Thursdays 4 to 5pm; Fridays 11:30 to 12:30pm and by appointment at other times.

Teaching Assistant:
Mahesh Babu Mariappan (maheshbabu.mariappan@utdallas.edu)
Office: ECSS 4.203
 Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 6:30pm to 8:30pm

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.
• "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
• Bring a CD or a memory stick and textbook and solutions to prelab
• Complete exercises (1 hour to several hours, Average: 3 hours)
• Take measurements
• Save data to CD/memory stick (Copying data to a USB Flash drive)
• See here for more info about the textbook and the labs in it

After the lab

• Use data on save data to CD/memory stick
• 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?

• Submit the lab report and prelab solutions 
• Lab reports must be typed. Prelab answers can be handwritten.
• Cover page of lab has Lab title, names and emails 
• Submit prelab reports electronically (can include it in your postlab report) OR as hard copy (either in class or slide under my door by the deadline)
• Submit postlab reports electronically (e-mail to ksarac@utdallas.edu - please include proper info into Subject line of the e-mail message)

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 WebCT 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 WebCT 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.