TELCOM 2120: Network Performance                        Fall 2010



The objective of this course is to provide an introduction to techniques for performance modeling and analysis of computer systems and communication networks. Primary emphasis is on the analysis of measurements, discrete event simulation and queueing theory.  The course covers fundamental concepts, such as statistical analysis of measurement data, data modeling, computer simulation modeling techniques and probabilistic based analytical models.  


Prerequisites: TELCOM 2000  or INFSCI 1004:  or equivalent (undergraduate computer networks course) and a probability/statistics course

1. Instructor:  Dr. David Tipper,  Associate Professor of  Telecommunications
                        Office: SIS 749
                        Phone: (412) 624-9421
                        Email: tipper@tele.pitt.edu
                        Web page: http://www.sis.pitt.edu/~dtipper/tipper.html
                        Office hours: Wednesday: 1:30 p.m. - 3:.00 p.m. or by appointment

2. GSA:         Samaan Taghavi Zargar
                       Office: SIS 410
                       Phone: (412) 624-4099
                       Email: stzargar@sis.pitt.edu
                       Office hours:  Mon. 11-1 or by appointment        

3.Textbook  The Art of Computer System Performance Analysis,
                       by Raj Jain, John Wiley, 1991.

                       References: (On Reserve in SIS Library)
                         1.  The Practical Performance Analyst, Neil Gunther,  iUniverse, 2000   
                         2.  Simulation Modeling and Analysis 4th Edition, A. Law and W. Kelton, McGraw-Hill, 2006 
                         3.  Mathematical Preliminaries for Computer Networking, D. Claiborne, J. Wiley, 1994. 
                         4.  Analytical Techniques in Telecommunications, F. Mazda, Focal Press, 1996. 
                         5.  Introduction to Network Simulator ns2, T. Issariyakul and, E. Hossain, Springer, 2008

4. Grading:     Homework                           25%
                       Project*                               15%
                       Midterm                               25%
                       Final                                     35%

                    *A group (3 or less students) course project involving a performance study using either  measurements,  

                     simulation, queueing theory or a combination of these techniques is required.

5. Policies

6.  Course Outline and Class Notes