Protocol creation as a pedagogical tool in a computer networks course
C Michael White · Journal of computing sciences in colleges · 2002
Many educators and students find the concepts in a computer networking class challenging. To assist with course pedagogy, many instructors assign projects which force the students to incorporate their newly learned concepts into a real-world environment. One possible type of project that requires hands-on ability is to ask the students to create a new protocol for a hypothetical or actual application. In this paper we will examine how one can create the BidNet protocol to support distributed program execution. The students will examine existing protocols looking for strengths and weaknesses, create a set of request and response primitives, design the frame / packet layouts, and decide at what layer the protocol should operate. As a final optional task, the student can evaluate the effectiveness of the protocol by performing an analytical calculation, use a canned protocol verification program, create a simulation study, or create a series of programs which incorporate the protocol.