| CODE | CCE5404 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Network softwarization | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Communications and Computer Engineering | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Telecommunications networks are evolving towards implementation using network elements that are comprised of general-purpose compute and storage hardware, operated by open source operating systems and running open source software network functions. The design of chains of these functions to form units of network services is obtained through the operation of open-source management software. The scheduling and scaling of these functions is obtained through the operation of open-source control software platforms. This study-unit investigates the concepts (innovations, frameworks and architectures) that constitute this emergent paradigm and prepares students for the progressive onset of the next-generation network by empowering them with the skills that concretize the concepts into a working knowledge of engineering the paradigm. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims at forming students with a coherent, holistic framework that integrates the work of several standard development organizations (SDOs) for the interoperability of flexible, agile next-generation networks. This framework, along with architectures (e.g., NFV-MANO) that organize the framework's elements, are used as conceptual bases in the development of a skillset for the design and operation of virtual networks, from intent to user (data) plane. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • describe the next-generation network (NGN), as emergent from the standardization work of various SDOs; • describe the converged network (CN) for services with markedly different Quality of Service requirements; • describe and properly identify the use of “software-defined networking” (SDN), and the several derivative terms that it encompasses; • describe the Network Function Virtualization - Management and Orchestration Framework (NFV-MANO); • discuss the concept of the network slice, with particular emphasis on its emergence at the intersection of the three concepts of the NGN, the CN and SDN; • distinguish the separation of the control plane and user (data) plane in the softwarized network; • analyse the obstacle posed by the conflict between the firmly entrenched paradigm of the distributed control plane, and SDN’s centralization of control, and illustrate approaches that bridge the gap; • illustrate the use of implementation models of telecommunications networks, as a means of harmonizing telecommunications networks architectures that encompass a range of legacy and developing network technologies. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • use key application programming interfaces in both the management plane – control plane interface (northbound interface (NBI)), as well as the control plane – data plane interface (southbound interface (SBI)); • use a platform that enables NBI and SBI programming for the automated deployment and control of virtual networks that adhere to QoS parameters specified in network intents. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main text - J. Edelman, S. S. Lowe, and M. Oswalt, Network Programmability and Automation: Skills for the Next-Generation Network Engineer. O’Reilly Media, 2018. Supplementary readings - W. Stallings, Foundations of Modern Networking: SDN, NFV, QoE, IoT, and Cloud. Pearson Education, 2015. - P. Goransson, C. Black, and T. Culver, Software Defined Networks: A Comprehensive Approach. Elsevier Science, 2016. - T. D. Nadeau and K. Gray, SDN: Software Defined Networks: An Authoritative Review of Network Programmability Technologies. O’Reilly Media, 2013. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite qualifications: Undergraduate degree in Electrical/Electronics/Computer Engineering | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study and Practical | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Etienne V. Depasquale |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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