Prerequisites

Introduction to Linux/Unix X417.31
or alternative familiarity and basic comfort with the linux/unix command line

Required textbook

Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 5th ed., Kurose & Ross, Addison-Wesley, 2010 ISBN-10: 0136079679 ISBN-13: 9780136079675

Guide to IP Layer Network Administration with Linux, Martin Brown, 2003, online at http://linux-ip.net/

Catalog description

This course gives attention equally to general networking, which is platform independent, and how to implement and access it from the linux platform specifically. TCP/IP networking over ethernet is the central focus. Manual and automatic IP configuration are covered. Substantial attention is given to a select set of important protocols, tools, and server programs. The protocols are ethernet, IP, ARP, UDP, TCP, HTTP, DNS, DHCP, DNS, and SMB. Important tools covered are netstat, ping, traceroute, arp, tcpdump/wireshark sniffers, and nmap portscanner. Servers are introduced with small tutorial programs that demonstrate the programmatic structure of standard socket-API applications-- the defining characteristic of client and server programs. This lays groundwork for covering some combination of specific real-world services. As time allows and student interest dictates apache, BIND, NFS, Samba, DHCP, and others are examined. Their configuration is covered from client and server sides, both by directly editing the appropriate configuration files and applying front-end graphical tools. Finally server selection, installation, and management methods are presented. In-class exercises are liberally performed.