Course Overview

• Presentation: Each student will give one 30-minute presentation on a particular topic of their choice from a list suggested by the instructor. There will be qustions and answers following each presentation.
• Laboratory Exercises: Each student will conduct three lab exercises on routing and TCP with Cisco routers and Linux workstations. The exercises will familiarize students with modern routers and common tools for network diagnosis and data analysis.
• Class Project: Each student (or a team of two students) will implement and demonstrate a systems project. Students may choose their projects from a list suggested by the instructor, or define their own ones with the instructor's approval.

Exams: There are no mid-term and final exams.

Prerequisite: CS402 and EE450; Recommended preparation: CS551 and CS555
If you did not take CS402 or EE450 at USC, look at here for placement exam requirements.

Limited space: Due to limited space and equipment in the laboratory, the class can only accomodate a small number of students (less then 30). If you have a strong interest to the class, prepare to register early. If you are on the waiting list, the CS Department will give out D-clearance according to the order on the list.

Resources

• A good reference book on Cisco IOS, such as Cisco IOS in a Nutshell.
• A good book on Unix/Linux system administration, such as Essential System Administration or The Unix System Administration Handbook.
• A good book on Perl scripting such as Learning Perl. Alternatively, there are many Web based Perl tutorials. Find one that you like.
• Depending on the kind of project you do, you might need to understand the Linux kernel internals. You can look at a book such as Linux Kernel Development, Linux Device Drivers, or The Linux TCP/IP Stack: Networking for Embedded Systems.

Gradings