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, Sem 2 2024
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, Sem 2 2024

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:

1. Demonstrate high levels of technical competence in the field. 
2. Balance the technical, economic, social and ethical demands of a problem in sustainable and culturally sensitive ways.
3. Apply problem solving approaches to work challenges and make decisions using sound engineering methodologies.
4. Communicate effectively across all modes: listen, speak, write and draw.
5. Apply the principles of lifelong learning to any new challenge. 

 

On completion of this course you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a coherent and advanced knowledge of the need for and issues associated with dealing with scale, complexity, reliability, extensibility, efficiency and sustainability of network management systems.
2. Critically analyse and evaluate a specific network management problem and apply concepts and issues learnt to design one or more aspects of a network management solution.
3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of and utilise software defined network principles for the design of new generation of networks.
4. Exercise professional judgement in the design and implementation of software defined network application on SDN-based networking devices.
5. Communicate solutions effectively through written reports to an engineering audience.
6. Collaborate and contribute as an effective team member or leader who demonstrates personal accountability, professional and ethical conduct. 

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 a mid-semester assessment and an end-of-the-semester assessment.  

You will scope potential research questions for a group project based on your immersion experience. 

Assessment Task 1: Laboratory performance and reports
Weighting 30%
This assessment is group-based learning activity
This assessment task assesses CLO1, CLO4 and CLO6.

Assessment Task 2: Mid-semester online time-limited assessment
Weighting 10%
This is an individual learning activity. This online test will be of less than 2 hrs duration to be taken within a window of at least 24 hours. 
This assessment task assesses CLO2 and CLO3. 

Assessment Task 3: End-of-the-semester assessment 
Weighting 30%
This is an individual learning activity. This assessment is a timed and timetabled assessment of less than 2 hours duration that students must attend on campus. 
This assessment task assesses CLO2 and CLO3.

Assessment Task 4: 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 conduct technical discussions and analysis on the relevant topics. 
This assessment task assesses CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO5 and CLO6.

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.