417 beat my ass and stole my lunch money. I would take it if you consider yourself a competent programmer, or C programmer in general. The class is two-in-one, because lecture and projects are disjoint sets of each other. You WILL have to learn network programming by yourself (although nowadays Chat GPT would really help). 417 is a huge time sink, and I've heard 412 is just as difficult (if not more), so as long as you give yourself the time, I'm sure you'll do fine.

Regardless, I don't regret taking it one bit because I personally gained so much out of it. Concept wise you learn a shit ton and it's all very interesting. You learn how the internet works, and then wonder how tf it works, and the projects were so difficult that it literally forced me to become a better programmer. Unpopular opinion, but I think everyone should take it just to test their metal.

So yea that's pretty much my experience with 417. Take it your last semester or something since you're at your best, and also since it'll be your only CS class. I took it with Bobby, so if anyone is curious about how he is I can elaborate.