CS204: Advanced Computer Networks

UC Riverside, CS 204, Fall 25

Course Description

Covers advanced topics in computer networks, include MPTCP, IPv6, HTTP/3, 5G, Satellite networks, and more. See "syllabus" for more details. The course also offers project assignment that allows you to develop system building skills.

Logistics

Lecture: MWF 4:00-4:50 PM
Humanities and Social Sciences Room 1501

Instructor
Zhaowei Tan
Email: ztan@ucr.edu
Office: Winston Chung Hall 357 (Inside the CSE Admin Suite) or Zoom https://ucr.zoom.us/j/8539984724
Office hours: Fridays 1-2PM (In Person + Zoom) and Tuesdays 1-2PM (Zoom only).

Teaching Assistant
Yuanhao Chang
Email: yuanhao.chang@email.ucr.edu
Office: TBD
Office hours: Mondays 1–2 PM and Wednesdays 1–2 PM

Grading

Syllabus (Tentative, subject to change)

Week Day Date Chapter Topic
0 Friday 9/26 1. Overview Logistics (Video Recording)
1 Monday 9/29 Course Overview and Internet Primer
Wednesday 10/1 2. Review Review 1: PHY, Link, and Network
Friday 10/1 Review 2: Transport and Application
2 Monday 10/6 3. Advanced Application Layer Protocols Web
Wednesday 10/8 Video Streaming
Friday 10/10 P2P
3 Monday 10/13 Going Over Projects
Wednesday 10/15 4. Advanced Transport Layer Protocols MPTCP
Friday 10/17 TCP CUBIC
4 Monday 10/20 TCP BBR
Wednesday 10/22 TCP QUIC
Friday 10/24 5. Advanced Network Layer Protocols SDN
5 Monday 10/27 NDN
Wednesday 10/29 BGP
Friday 10/31 Midterm
6 Monday 11/3 6. Advanced Link Layer Protocols Wi-Fi
Wednesday 11/5 Cellular 1
Friday 11/7 Cellular 2
7 Monday 11/10 IoT
Wednesday 11/12 7. Other Emerging Topics Datacenter Networking
Friday 11/14 NFV
8 Monday 11/17 Satellite
Wednesday 11/19 Network Security
Friday 11/21 Network + AI
9 Monday 11/24 Explanation for final project presentation + deliverables
Wednesday 11/26 Review for Final
Friday 11/28 Holiday
10 Monday 12/1 Final Presentation
Wednesday 12/3
Friday 12/5
11 TBD TBD Final Exam

Project

Form a 3-person group; you could also challenge yourself with a team of smaller size. You will pick a networking project and present your results to your class.
The following table is a timeline for project selection.
Milestone Time Description
Project List Released Week 2 Sunday The instructor and TA will provide a list of projects with their expected background, project description, deliverables, etc.
Project Selection Week 3 Friday Please form your 1-3 people team and finalize your project selection. You can make three selections in case some projects are no longer available. We will provide a form
Project Assignment Week 4 Monday The assignment will be distributed to all the groups.

The following table summarizes all the milestones for the project.
Milestone Deadline^ Description Grade (%)
Project Proposal* Week 5 Monday Write a short proposal that details the project, goals, methodology, major milestones with timeline, and how you plan to split the work. 10
Mid-Term Check-In Week 7 TA and I will meet with each group in person to check the progress and make sure everything is on the right track. 5
Project Presentation* Week 10 Show the class what you've done! You are expected to finish 90% of your proposal and make a presentation. A demo is expected. 15
Final Report* Week 11 Friday
(Dec. 12th, Hard Deadline)		 Submit the code and a well-formatted report of your project. 20
* Template will be provided.
^ If not in class/Lab, the due time is 11:55 PM Pacific Time on each deadline day.