Communications networks II

Max amount of FITech students: 30

Persons without a valid study right to a Finnish university have preference to this course.

Course contents

This course provides an introduction to the concepts of software defined networking (SDN):

• the OpenFlow based SDN architecture
• SDN control plane and data plane (OpenFlow switches)
• Software defined monitoring
• SDN and network function virtualisation (NFV) integration in cellular systems.

It discusses multi-access edge computing (MEC), and the use cases of MEC in 5G, and MEC-IoT integration. The course addresses queueing theory, queueing systems and application of queueing theory to model software defined mobile network or virtualised networks (Jackson network). Furthermore, the course discusses the significance of network security, network load-balancing and network slicing in modern and emerging communications networks. Course provides hands-on experience on virtual networks using SDN with Mininet network emulator.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the required coursework, the students

• understand the basic principles of programmable networking. They understand the challenges in existing architectures and how SDN can solve them.
• understand the idea of SDN network control and data planes, and what it means in practice. They learn how the network control-data plane separation is possible with SDN and how different control plane architectures can be developed or used.
• understand the novel features in the 5G architecture. They understand the importance of edge computing and virtualisation techniques in achieving the low-latency and reliability requirements of 5G standard. Students know the planned use cases of multi-access edge computing in 5G systems and can describe some of the system architecture components.
• understand the significance of network security, network load-balancing and network slicing in modern and emerging communications networks and how they need to be taken into consideration when using SDN and NFV.
• understand the dynamics of simple programmable networks and the importance of queuing systems in the current model of programmable networks. The student is also able to design a queuing system for SDN-based network control plane.
• understand the basic principles of queueing theory. Students understand the concept of Markov model and its application in communication network analysis. Students can apply queueing theory to model SDN or virtualised networks.
• learn skills to design and implement simple SDNs and analyse performance in network emulation and simulation environments.

Course material and programmes

• M Liyanage, A Gurtov, M Ylianttila 2015: Software Defined Mobile Networks (SDMN): Beyond LTE Network Architecture
• M Liyanage, I Ahmad, A Abro, A Gurtov, M Ylianttila 2018: A comprehensive Guide to 5G Security

In addition, selected supportive online reading materials from recent standards and publications are provided on the digital learning environment (Moodle).

Provided by the university: Mininet, Simulink

Teaching schedule

Lectures (at least partially in campus, recorded lectures in Moodle), exercises, a design work and exam. Check the exam date (TBD) from University of Oulu study guide. Course can be studied online.

Completion methods

The course is passed with a final examination and the accepted emulation/simulation work report. The final grade is based on examination.

More information in the University of Oulu study guide.

You can get a digital badge after completing this course.