MSI 416: Communications Networking & Security

Spring 2004 Syllabus

Instructor Information

Sanjay Goel picture

Sanjay Goel

Office: BA 310b
Hours: M 12:30-2PM & by appt.
PH: (518) 442-4925
FX (518) 442-2568
Email: [email protected] 		Jakov Crnkovic Picture

Jakov (Yasha) Crnkovic

Office: BA 332
Hours: M 10 - 11:30am, TH 1-2pm
PH: (518) 442-5318
FX (518) 442-2568
Email: [email protected]

CLASS INFORMATION

Time:MW 8:15-10:00am
Room:BA 233
Dates:January 21 - April 14
Credit(s):3
Call #:4676

Available Lab(s)

Undergraduate Lab

Text & Reference Books

Text: Data Communications & Computer Networks: A Business Users's Approach by Curt M. White

Reference: Security In Computing (Third Edition) by Charles P. Pfleeger & Shari Lawrence Pfleeger

Reference: Hackers Beware by Eric Cole

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course covers the basic technologies required for communication on the networks, including the Internet. The course covers fundamentals of signal transmission, transmission hardware and concepts such as error control and multiplexing. The course also covers Network Topologies, the OSI model, and the TCP/IP protocol suite. We will also discuss the vulnerabilities of the network and techniques for protecting data and networks. Cryptography and Public Key Infrastructure, which are currently used for secure data transmission over the web, will also be discussed. Also discussed in the class are issues of ethics and privacy in the use of computer networks.

Learning Objectives

Students will learn:

  1. Students learn the hardware and protocols involved in transmission of data over networks
  2. Students learn the various networking architectures and their applications
  3. Students learn the use of cryptographic techniques used for secure communication on networks
  4. Students learn to analyze the threats, vulnerabilities and solutions for information system security
  5. Students gain hands-on experience in auditing & testing the security of computer networks
  6. Students develop critical thinking skills via debates on the ethics and legal issues in electronic data access

Grading

Homework & Assignments (3): 40%
Exams (3): 60%

Course Schedule

Week Date Topics Readings Instructor
1 1/21 Introduction / The Big Picture of Networks 1 Crnkovic
2 1/26 Fund. of Data & Signals/Hardware & Media Types 2/3
3 1/28 Connections 4
4 2/2 Multiplexing/Error Detection & Control 5/6
5 2/4 LAN 7
6 2/9 LAN 8,9
7 2/11 Telecom Systems (Exam I) 12
8 2/18 Metropolitan and Wide Area Networks 10
9 2/23 Network Design and Management 14
10 2/25 Network Design and Management, cont'd. 14
11 3/1 Internet 11
12 3/3 Internet, cont'd. 11
13 3/8 E-Commerce/M-Commerce Notes
14 3/10 Emerging Network Architectures (Exam II) Notes
15 3/15 Networking Notes Goel
16 3/17 Introduction to Security Notes
17 3/22 Security Lab (Password Auditing) Notes
18 3/24 Security Lab (Network Penetration) Notes
19 3/29 Cryptography- Symmetric & Asymmetric / (Exam III) Notes
20 4/14 XML & Web Services Notes

Download syllabus: msi416syllabus.pdf