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+# COMP-347 Final Exam Study Plan (3 Weeks)
+
+**Textbook:** Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 8th Edition  
+**Timeline:** 3 weeks to final exam  
+**Strategy:** Build on your excellent assignment work, focus on high-yield topics
+
+---
+
+## Week 1: Foundation & Core Concepts (Days 1-7)
+
+### Day 1-2: Network Fundamentals & Performance
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 1.1-1.4**: What is the Internet? Network Edge, Core, Delays
+- **Chapter 1.5**: Protocol Layers and Service Models
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- Delay calculations (you did well on Assignment 1)
+- Throughput and bottleneck analysis
+- Circuit vs packet switching comparison
+- Protocol stack layers
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Read sections, then solve textbook problems
+- Cross-reference with Assignment 1 Q2.1 (file transfer analysis)
+- Practice delay calculation variations
+
+**Time Allocation:** 3-4 hours per day
+
+---
+
+### Day 3-4: Application Layer Deep Dive
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 2.1**: Principles of Network Applications
+- **Chapter 2.2**: The Web and HTTP
+- **Chapter 2.3**: Electronic Mail
+- **Chapter 2.4**: DNS
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- HTTP connection types and caching (Assignment 1 Q2.3)
+- DNS hierarchy and resolution process
+- Email protocols (SMTP, POP3, IMAP)
+- Client-server vs P2P architectures
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Review Assignment 1 solutions for HTTP and email
+- Focus on protocol operation details from textbook
+- Understand DNS lookup process with examples
+
+**Time Allocation:** 3-4 hours per day
+
+---
+
+### Day 5: P2P and CDNs
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 2.5**: Peer-to-Peer Applications
+- **Chapter 2.6**: Video Streaming and Content Distribution Networks
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- P2P file distribution efficiency (Assignment 1 Q2.4)
+- BitTorrent protocol operation
+- CDN architecture and benefits
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Review Assignment 1 Q2.4 calculations
+- Understand scaling advantages of P2P
+- Learn CDN request routing
+
+**Time Allocation:** 2-3 hours
+
+---
+
+### Day 6-7: Transport Layer Mastery
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 3.1-3.3**: Transport Layer Services, UDP, TCP Basics
+- **Chapter 3.4**: Principles of Reliable Data Transfer
+- **Chapter 3.5**: Connection-Oriented Transport (TCP)
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- TCP reliability mechanisms (Assignment 2 Q1.1)
+- Go-Back-N vs Selective Repeat (Assignment 2 Q1.2)
+- Error detection methods
+- TCP connection management
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Your Assignment 2 Q1.1 is excellent - use as reference
+- Focus on RDT protocol evolution
+- Practice TCP state diagrams
+
+**Time Allocation:** 4-5 hours per day
+
+---
+
+## Week 2: Network Layer & Routing (Days 8-14)
+
+### Day 8-9: Network Layer Fundamentals
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 4.1**: Introduction to Network Layer
+- **Chapter 4.2**: What's Inside a Router?
+- **Chapter 4.3**: The Internet Protocol (IP)
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- IPv4 addressing and CIDR (Assignment 2 Q2.3)
+- Subnetting calculations
+- IPv6 and transition mechanisms (Assignment 2 Q1.3)
+- NAT operation
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Master Assignment 2 Q2.3 CIDR routing methodology
+- Practice more subnetting problems from textbook
+- Understand IPv6 addressing structure
+
+**Time Allocation:** 4 hours per day
+
+---
+
+### Day 10-11: Routing Algorithms
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 5.1**: Introduction to Network Control Plane
+- **Chapter 5.2**: Routing Algorithms
+- **Chapter 5.3**: Intra-AS Routing (OSPF)
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- Dijkstra's algorithm (Assignment 2 Q2.2) - you mastered this!
+- Distance vector routing
+- OSPF areas and LSA types
+- Link state vs distance vector comparison
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Your Assignment 2 Q2.2 is perfect - review methodology
+- Practice Dijkstra's with different topologies
+- Understand OSPF hierarchical design
+
+**Time Allocation:** 4 hours per day
+
+---
+
+### Day 12: BGP and Advanced Routing
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 5.4**: Routing Among the ISPs (BGP)
+- **Chapter 5.5**: The SDN Control Plane
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- BGP path selection and loop prevention (Assignment 2 Q1.6)
+- AS relationships and policies
+- SDN architecture and OpenFlow (Assignment 2 Q1.5)
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Build on Assignment 2 Q1.6 BGP knowledge
+- Understand Internet hierarchy and peering
+- Learn OpenFlow match-action paradigm
+
+**Time Allocation:** 3-4 hours
+
+---
+
+### Day 13-14: TCP Performance & Network Management
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 3.6**: Principles of Congestion Control  
+- **Chapter 3.7**: TCP Congestion Control
+- **Chapter 5.7**: Network Management (SNMP)
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- TCP congestion control algorithms (Assignment 2 Q2.4)
+- Throughput calculations and performance analysis
+- SNMP operations and MIB (Assignment 2 Q1.4)
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Review Assignment 2 Q2.4 congestion control calculations
+- Practice TCP sawtooth pattern problems
+- Understand why UDP is used for SNMP
+
+**Time Allocation:** 4 hours per day
+
+---
+
+## Week 3: Link Layer & Wireless + Review (Days 15-21)
+
+### Day 15-16: Link Layer & Error Control
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 6.1**: Introduction to Link Layer
+- **Chapter 6.2**: Error-Detection and Error-Correction Techniques
+- **Chapter 6.3**: Multiple Access Links and Protocols
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- Error detection methods (Assignment 2 Q2.1) - your 1's complement work
+- Two-dimensional parity (Assignment 3 Q2.2)
+- CSMA/CD protocol and timing (Assignment 3 Q2.3)
+- Multiple access protocol comparison
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Review Assignment 2 Q2.1 checksum calculations
+- Master Assignment 3 Q2.2 two-dimensional parity design
+- Understand Assignment 3 Q2.3 collision analysis perfectly
+
+**Time Allocation:** 4-5 hours per day
+
+---
+
+### Day 17: Ethernet and Switching
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 6.4**: Switched Local Area Networks
+- **Chapter 6.5**: Link Virtualization (VLANs)
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- Ethernet frame format and addressing
+- Switch learning and forwarding
+- Spanning Tree Protocol
+- VLAN operation and trunking
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Understand switch vs hub operation
+- Learn MAC address learning algorithm
+- Practice VLAN design problems
+
+**Time Allocation:** 3-4 hours
+
+---
+
+### Day 18: Wireless Networks
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 7.1**: Introduction to Wireless Networking
+- **Chapter 7.3**: WiFi (802.11 Wireless LANs)
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- Wireless challenges (hidden terminal, fading)
+- 802.11 architecture and standards (Assignment 3 Q1.6)
+- CSMA/CA and RTS/CTS (Assignment 3 Q2.4)
+- Wi-Fi frame format and power management
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Build on Assignment 3 Q1.6 Wi-Fi standards comparison
+- Perfect Assignment 3 Q2.4 RTS/CTS timing analysis
+- Understand differences from wired networks
+
+**Time Allocation:** 3-4 hours
+
+---
+
+### Day 19: Cellular Networks
+**Textbook Sections:**
+- **Chapter 7.2**: Cellular Internet Access  
+- **Chapter 7.4**: Mobility Management
+
+**Focus Areas:**
+- Cellular network evolution (2G → 5G)
+- GSM architecture and handoffs (Assignment 3 Q1.1)
+- LTE characteristics (Assignment 3 Q1.2)
+- Mobile IP and mobility management
+
+**Study Method:**
+- Review Assignment 3 Q1.1 Anchor MSC role
+- Understand Assignment 3 Q1.2 LTE evolution
+- Learn cellular frequency reuse concepts
+
+**Time Allocation:** 3-4 hours
+
+---
+
+### Day 20-21: Final Review & Practice
+**Focus:**
+- **Calculation Practice**: Work through all assignment calculation problems again
+- **Protocol Comparisons**: Use comparison tables from NOTES.md
+- **Weak Areas**: Identify and strengthen any gaps
+- **Past Exams**: If available, practice with sample questions
+
+**Study Method:**
+1. **Morning**: Review one unit completely
+2. **Afternoon**: Practice calculations and problems  
+3. **Evening**: Quick review of key concepts
+
+**Priority Topics for Review:**
+1. **Delay/throughput calculations** (Assignment 1 strength)
+2. **TCP reliability and congestion control** (Assignment 2 strength)  
+3. **Routing algorithms** (Assignment 2 Dijkstra mastery)
+4. **CIDR and subnetting** (Assignment 2 strength)
+5. **Wireless protocols** (Assignment 3 comprehensive coverage)
+6. **Error detection** (Assignment 2 & 3 strength)
+
+**Time Allocation:** 6-8 hours per day
+
+---
+
+## Daily Study Schedule Template
+
+### Optimal Daily Routine:
+- **Morning (2-3 hours)**: Read textbook sections
+- **Afternoon (1-2 hours)**: Work practice problems
+- **Evening (1 hour)**: Review notes and assignment solutions
+
+### Study Techniques:
+1. **Active Reading**: Take notes, create summaries
+2. **Practice Problems**: Essential for calculations
+3. **Teach Back**: Explain concepts aloud
+4. **Spaced Repetition**: Review previous days' material
+5. **Error Analysis**: Learn from mistakes
+
+---
+
+## High-Yield Topics (Focus Extra Attention)
+
+### Calculation-Heavy Areas:
+1. **Delay and throughput analysis** - Very common on exams
+2. **TCP congestion window evolution** - Complex but high-value
+3. **Subnetting and CIDR** - Practical and testable
+4. **Routing algorithm execution** - You excel at Dijkstra's
+5. **Error detection probabilities** - Mathematical applications
+
+### Conceptual Areas:
+1. **Protocol comparisons** (TCP vs UDP, routing protocols)
+2. **Network architecture** (layered approach, SDN)
+3. **Wireless challenges** (collision avoidance, mobility)
+4. **Internet structure** (ISP hierarchy, BGP policies)
+5. **Security considerations** (though not heavily tested)
+
+---
+
+## Week-by-Week Goals
+
+### Week 1 Success Metrics:
+- [ ] Can calculate all delay types accurately
+- [ ] Understand HTTP caching and DNS resolution
+- [ ] Master TCP reliability mechanisms
+- [ ] Comfortable with transport protocols
+
+### Week 2 Success Metrics:
+- [ ] Expert at IP addressing and subnetting
+- [ ] Can execute routing algorithms perfectly
+- [ ] Understand BGP path selection
+- [ ] Grasp SDN and network management
+
+### Week 3 Success Metrics:
+- [ ] Master error detection calculations
+- [ ] Understand all multiple access protocols
+- [ ] Expert on wireless networking concepts
+- [ ] Ready for comprehensive exam
+
+---
+
+## Resources to Use Alongside Textbook
+
+### Your Assignment Solutions (Excellent Reference):
+- **Assignment 1**: Application layer, performance calculations
+- **Assignment 2**: Transport/network layers, advanced protocols  
+- **Assignment 3**: Link layer, wireless, comprehensive coverage
+
+### My Study Notes (NOTES.md):
+- Quick reference for key concepts
+- Comparison tables for protocols
+- Formula summary for calculations
+- Exam strategy and tips
+
+### Additional Practice:
+- Textbook end-of-chapter problems
+- Online networking calculators (for verification)
+- RFC documents for protocol details (if time permits)
+
+---
+
+## Final Week Emergency Plan
+
+**If running short on time, prioritize:**
+
+### Must-Know Topics (60% of exam value):
+1. Delay/throughput calculations
+2. TCP operation and congestion control  
+3. IP addressing and routing
+4. Error detection methods
+5. Basic wireless protocols
+
+### Good-to-Know Topics (30% of exam value):
+1. Advanced routing (BGP, OSPF details)
+2. Detailed protocol operations
+3. Network management
+4. Advanced wireless features
+
+### Nice-to-Know Topics (10% of exam value):  
+1. Historical context
+2. Emerging technologies
+3. Implementation details
+
+---
+
+## Success Tips
+
+### Based on Your Assignment Performance:
+1. **You excel at calculations** - use this strength
+2. **Your protocol analysis is thorough** - leverage this skill
+3. **You understand complex concepts** - trust your preparation
+4. **Your technical writing is clear** - organize exam answers well
+
+### Exam Day Strategy:
+1. **Start with calculation problems** (your strength)
+2. **Show all work clearly** (partial credit opportunities)
+3. **Use comparison tables** (organize protocol questions)
+4. **Manage time carefully** (don't get stuck on one problem)
+5. **Review answers** (check units and reasonableness)
+
+**You've got this! Your assignment work shows excellent understanding - now just reinforce with textbook depth.**
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