A concise primer for unix commands is here. For more details in french, check out this unix guide..
The most important commands and tools you will be using are described in a short manual, the Tools of the Trade.
Here you can also find on-line Network Information Tools.
An important prerequisite for this class is Java programming, and it is assumed that you are able to resolve issues and bugs that are not related to network programming yourself. The following reference material may be useful: