COMP5621: Computer Networks (Fall 2026)

Computer Science and Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

How does the Internet work? How do network protocols provide reliable, efficient, and scalable communication across applications, hosts, routers, and local networks?

Instructor: Prof. Xiaomin Ouyang
Class Time: Wednesday/Friday 3:00PM - 4:20PM (Rm 2464, Lift 25-26)
Email: xmouyang@cse.ust.hk
Office Hour: Ask questions after the lecture, or by appointment via email.
Teaching Assistants: Mr. Runxi Huang (rhuangbj@connect.ust.hk), Mr. Haoxian Liu (hliueu@connect.ust.hk), and Mr. Longxiang Tang (ltangap@connect.ust.hk)

Credits: 3
Area: Networking and Computer Systems (NE)
Pre-requisite / Background: No formal prerequisite is specified in the current course listing. Basic programming and computer systems knowledge are recommended.
Exclusion: COMP 4621
Communication and Announcement: Canvas will be used for course materials and announcements.

Course Description: This course introduces the fundamental principles and protocols of computer networking using a top-down approach. Topics include network architectures, application-layer protocols, transport protocols, reliable data transfer, congestion control, the network data and control planes, routing, IP addressing, IPv6, and link-layer/local-area-network technologies. The course also includes practical protocol analysis using Wireshark.

Course Objectives: After completion of this course, students should understand how modern computer networks are organized across protocol layers, how major Internet protocols operate, and how design choices at the application, transport, network, and link layers affect reliability, efficiency, scalability, and performance. Students will also write simple client-server applications using socket programming.

Academic Integrity / Cheating:

Unless otherwise stated, all work submitted by you should be your own. Copying assignments, receiving or providing unauthorized help in debugging programs, or sharing algorithms and results may constitute cheating. If there is any doubt about whether an action is appropriate, please contact the instructor for explicit clarification before taking that action. Cheating is an offense and may result in disciplinary action under the University’s policies on academic integrity and discipline.

Grading Scheme:

• Assignments (3): 30%
• Labs (2): 20%
• Presentations on Assignments/Labs: 10%
• Final Examination: 40%

Textbook:

• James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 7th or 8th Edition, Pearson. The 8th Edition is preferred.

Reference Books:

• Larry L. Peterson and Bruce S. Davie, Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
• W. Richard Stevens, Bill Fenner, and Andrew M. Rudoff, UNIX Network Programming, Volume 1, Addison-Wesley.

Course Syllabus