This project is providing the community with an inexpensive and easy-to-use laboratory environment for teaching computer networking. The TinkerNet environment consists of an array of nodes and a controller. Using a modified OSKit, students implement OS kernels containing pieces of the network protocol stack. Students boot their kernel on an available node and then execute and test their network implementations. TinkerNet differs from other projects because it uses inexpensive commodity hardware (200MHz PCs suffice) and readily-available software (OSKit, Linux, and GNU). Its intellectual merit lies in filling a need that was articulated in the SIGCOMM Workshop on Teaching Computer Networking for an inexpensive, easy-to-use, and easy-to-maintain laboratory environment for teaching computer networking.

The broader impact of this project lies in the effectiveness of this project in the classroom, as demonstrated by the experience of the University of California Riverside (UCR), a MSI. Student course evaluations at UCR were very positive about the additional understanding obtained through the TinkerNet laboratory experiments. There is considerable interest from other institutions in using this environment. In addition, this project includes a more detailed assessment of student learning.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
0443012
Program Officer
Mark James Burge
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2005-03-01
Budget End
2007-02-28
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$59,462
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvey Mudd College
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Claremont
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
91711