Introduction to Software-defined Networking (Winter 2015/2016)

Details

Workload/ECTS Credits:	150h, 5 ECTS
Module:	AI: M.Inf.1130: Software-defined Networks (SDN); ITIS: 3.31
Lecturer:	Dr. David Koll
Teaching assistant:	---
Time:	March 16-20; 09.00-17.00
Place:	IfI 2.101
UniVZ	[1]

Course Overview

Software-defined networking (SDN) has recently attracted both researchers in academia and big players in communication technologies, and is currently probably the 'hottest' topic in computer networking. In this course, we will discuss the basics of SDN.

The course is organized as a block course as follows (for the detailed structure, please see this table): Initially, two lectures introducing the main motivation, concepts and state-of-the-art of SDN will be given. Afterwards, we will have a short peak into the most recent research from both industry and academia, which is going to define the future of SDN. In this session, students will select one paper of interest that they will present towards the end of the course. The course then continues with an introduction to Mininet [2], and students are expected to perform some basic experiments on creating and using a virtual network based on Mininet. After the experimentations, students will present the paper they selected earlier.

For all parts of the course, exercises will be provided, in which students must obtain at least 50% of the total points to be admitted to the examination of this course. The exam is taken by submitting a report of 10-15 pages summarizing the lessons learned during the lectures and exercises as well as the research papers investigated (a LaTeX template will be provided). Depending on the number of attendees, several parts will be conducted in teams of students.

The course Advanced Software-defined Networking (M. Inf.1230) will follow a similar structure to provide a more profound knowledge of SDN.

Requirements

• Basic knowledge in computer networking (e.g., successfull completion of the course "Computer Networks") and object oriented programming is required.
• Knowledge of the Python programming language. Students can pursue some online learning courses to get to know Python syntax. (See, for instance, here)
• Each participant is required to actively attend the course and earn 50% of the points of the exercise.
• Written report at the end of the course.

Reading List

If you are interested in reading into some material before the course starts, NEC maintains a somewhat up-to-date reading list.