(Latest revision 01/17/2000)
01/17/2000: added a project idea about quality-of-service
01/09/2000: Minor corrections to spelling and wording.
Team Project IDEAS for Communication Networks: CS 3000
Note: Do not assume that your project will be substantial
enough if you just do any one of the things on this
list.
-
Create an interface to some RFC's -- organize a set of readings
for people who wish to learn "all about" some Internet topic(s)
by reading RFC's. This can be thought of as a guide to the
underlying topic(s). Set things up to help people to read the
material in an optimal manner. Exploit the potential of
hypertext. Beforehand, do your best to discover websites that
do the same kind of thing you are trying to do. Try to make
your site unique in a useful way.
-
Present an overview of the best current software tools for
analyzing network performance. Start with RFC 2151.
-
Explicate in detail several different forms of network
transmission technology. For example, how do the leased
telephone lines "work?" Also, give details about satellite
communications. Explain the technology of a communications
satellite.
-
Give design details on the hardware used for laser, infrared,
radio, and/or microwave transmission.
-
Do a report on WDM (wave division multiplexing) and its
applications.
-
Describe the design of the different kinds of "boxes" to be found
at the "ends" of network links. Include explanations of how the
boxes do modulation/demodulation and multiplex/demultiplex.
-
Report on error correction and detection coding in networking
applications. Investigate the range of techniques in use or
under investigation today. Compare and contrast. Discuss
advantages and disadvantages.
-
Report on cyclic redundancy checks (CRC's). Provide insights
into the mathematical properties. Why are they better for
certain kinds of error detection? Develop any other
interesting themes.
-
Find out all about the structure and composition of the LAN
here at CSU Stanislaus. Present a description in as much
detail as possible. Include maps and charts.
-
Give a presentation explaining the distributed spanning tree
algorithm that ethernet bridges execute to prevent
frame forwarding cycles.
-
Find out all about ADSL -- this is a a "standout" technology
for local loop.
-
Find out all about cable modem technology and how it is
working out for users, especially in areas where it is used
heavily.
-
Get data showing the structure of the Internet worldwide and
patterns of usage. Come up with analyses of the Internet --
insights.
-
Tell all about how ATM works, or some other major networking
paradigm.
-
Tell all about the principles and tradeoffs involved in
designing a WAN.
-
Dig up lots of information on how dynamic routing works.
Explore the relationship between levels of service and routing
schemes. Also, how multicasting and routing relate.
-
Present alternatives for creating a secure data network
connected to the Internet. What degree of security is
feasible? What measures are recommended? Include discussion
of virtual private networks (VPN's -- a standout idea).
-
Describe several layered network architectures. Compare and
contrast.
-
Describe all about how to set up a subnet using SLIP or PPP.
How does one use ARP and routing? What are the rules for
assigning a family of addresses and a netmask?
-
Describe the routing protocols now in use on the Internet,
and how the routers interoperate.
-
Tell about current research in Internet routing.
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Tell all about multicasting and the MBONE.
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Tell all about schemes for supporting real-time streaming
audio and video on the Internet.
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Tell all about IPv6
-
Tell all about IPv6 quality-of-service features. Compare and
contrast with quality-of-service features of some other
networking technologies. Examples of "other networking
technologies" include, but are not limited to: ATM, X.25, Frame
Relay, and SMDS.
-
Tell about Internet protocol research and development. (new
protocols)
-
Use a sniffer to gather a lot of packet statistics and
present an interesting breakdown and analysis of traffic
pattens.
-
Tell how to create and maintain an Internet firewall.
-
Create a web-based application, preferably one of use to the
CS Department. (program planning tool?)
-
Set up a secondary name server.
-
Tell about how to set up POP clients and servers. Also tell
about how to fight spam.
-
Report on the content of all HTTP specifications.
-
Configure a diskless workstation and its bootserver.