Course Title: Network Management and Software Defined Networks
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Network Management and Software Defined Networks
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
EEET2294 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
125H Electrical & Computer Engineering |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2013, Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2016 |
EEET2294 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
172H School of Engineering |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2019, Sem 2 2020, Sem 2 2021, Sem 2 2022, Sem 2 2023 |
EEET2295 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
125H Electrical & Computer Engineering |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2013, Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2016 |
EEET2295 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
172H School of Engineering |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2019, Sem 2 2020, Sem 2 2021, Sem 2 2022, Sem 2 2023 |
Course Coordinator: Jing Fu
Course Coordinator Phone: -
Course Coordinator Email: jing.fu@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Availability: Email for appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Pre-requisites:
There are no enforced pre-requisites.
Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities:
The knowledge and technical skills acquired from completing the courses EEET2368 - Network Fundamentals and Applications, and EEET2290/EEET2291 - Network Engineering, are expected in order to complete this course.
You should have programming experience in C++.
Programming experience in Python and experience with virtual machines and other virtual networking environments is desirable but not mandatory, especially to complete the laboratory exercises in this course.
If you are in doubt as to the adequacy of your skills, please contact the course coordinator.
Course Description
This course is designed for telecommunications engineers working with telecommunications carriers and suppliers of hardware and software infrastructure that supports the provision of telecommunications services to clients.
This course introduces the pillar concepts of network management and Software Defined Networks (SDN) focusing in wired and wireless networks. The course also focuses on SDN as a new approach to designing, building and managing networks. SDN approaches are based on the concept of separating the network’s control and data plane to make it easier to optimize each one independently. In the SDN domain the functionalities of the network devices are not fixed therefore the network administrator can set it up using APPs.
To develop and test student’s scientific skills (conceptual and technical) you will observe and undertake experiments in SDN environments where you will benefit from briefings and feedback from supervising tutors.
Please note that if you take this course for a bachelor honours program, your overall mark in this course will be one of the course marks that will be used to calculate the weighted average mark (WAM) that will determine your award level. (This applies to students who commence enrolment in a bachelor honours program from 1 January 2016 onward. See the WAM information web page for more information.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
At undergraduate level this course develops the following Program Learning Outcomes for Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) programs:
1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources
At postgraduate level this course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for Master of Engineering programs:
- Demonstrate high levels of technical competence in the field.
- Balance the technical, economic, social and ethical demands of a problem in sustainable and culturally sensitive ways.
- Apply problem solving approaches to work challenges and make decisions using sound engineering methodologies.
- Communicate effectively across all modes: listen, speak, write and draw.
- Apply the principles of lifelong learning to any new challenge.
On completion of this course you should be able to:
- Describe the need for and issues associated with dealing with scale, complexity, reliability, extensibility, efficiency and sustainability of network management systems.
- Analyse a specific network management problem and apply concepts and issues learnt to design one or more aspects of a network management solution.
- Explain and use software defined network principles for the design of new generation of networks.
- Design and implement software defined network application on SDN-based networking devices.
Overview of Learning Activities
The course provides you with an introduction to network management and software defined networking principles and practice including innovations affecting network design and operation of network devices. In the lectorials, you will engage in a discussion with the lecturer on the following topics:
- Programming with Python for Networking
- Review of Traditional Networks Architecture
- Software Defined Network Architecture
- Software Defined Network Controllers
- Software Defined Network OpenFlow Protocol
- Network Virtualization
- Cellular Network Architecture
- Network Management Maintenance Security
- SNMP and TNM Protocols
- Wireless Network Management
During the labs, you will use SDN-base controllers and network switches to perform required setting-up and configurations based on python and Linux systems. At the completion of each lab, you are required to write a brief reflective report of the lab activities and their significance.
During the lectorials, you will be organised in groups for performing exercises based on relevant topics of SDN.
Overview of Learning Resources
Pre-recorded videos, current research literature, laboratory manuals and bespoke resources will be used as required and as appropriate, given the wide variety of material and references.
Prescribed References:
- G. Chen, Q. Kong, "Integrated Telecommunication Management Solutions", IEEE Press, New York 2000
SDN: Software Defined Networks, Thomas D. Nadeau, Ken Gray, O’Reilly Media, eBook ISBN 978-1-4493-4229-6
Recommended References:
- Prof. Nick McKeown, Stanford: "How SDN will Shape Networking"
- Prof. Scott Shenker, Berkeley: "An attempt to motivate and clarify Software-Defined Networking (SDN)"
Overview of Assessment
This course has no hurdle requirements.
Assessment will be based on both individual and collaborative performance of requisite laboratory tasks and their subsequent write-up. These will cover investigation, analysis, synthesis and reporting of various manifestations of Network Management and Software Defined Networks.
You will be required to participate in class activities and exercises, based on relevant topics covered in the lectorials.
You will be required to complete two in-semester timed-assessments.
You will scope potential research questions for a group project based on your immersion experience.
Assessment Task 1: Laboratory performance and reports
Weighting 40%
This assessment is group-based learning activity
This assessment task assesses CLO1 and CLO4.
Assessment Task 2: In-semester online time-limited assessments, taken within a time limit of no less than 24 hours.
Weighting 30%
This is an individual learning activity. There will be two in-semester timed-assessments, each of which is weighted at 15%. For each timed-assessment, students are expected to take the assessment within a scheduled time period. The scheduled time period is no less than 24 hours. Once you start the timed-assessment, you are required to complete the entire assessment within 1 hour.
This assessment task assesses CLO2 and CLO3.
Assessment Task 3: Research project assignment
Weighting 30%
This is a group-based learning activity.
This is an open, group-based project assessed by a group report submitted at the end of the semester. For each group, students are expected to identify a project topic related to the software defined network, survey the literature and make substantial contributions to the project.
This is an individual learning activity.
This assessment task assesses CLO1, CLO2, and CLO3.