Introduction to Software-defined Networking (Winter 2014/2015)

Details

Workload/ECTS Credits:	150h, 5 ECTS
Module:	AI: M.Inf.1130: Software-defined Networks (SDN); ITIS: 3.31
Lecturer:	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.

Schedule

Date	Morning Session	Type	Afternoon Session	Type
16.03.2015	Software-defined Networking I	Lecture	Introduction to Python I (and exercises)	Lecture / Practical
17.03.2015	Software-defined Networking II	Lecture	Introduction to Python II (and exercises)	Lecture / Practical
18.03.2015	Current Research in SDN	Lecture	Hands-On SDN I	Practical
19.03.2015	Hands-On SDN II	Practical	Hands-On SDN III	Practical
20.03.2015	Practical Tutoring / Presentation Preparation	Practical	Presentations	Seminar

Exercises

Number	Topic
Exercise 1	Introduction
Exercise 2	Python Basics
Exercise 3	SDN Control Plane
Exercise 4	An SDN Simulator in Python
Exercise 5	Mininet Setup
Exercise 6	Mininet Topologies
Exercise 7	Mininet and SDN Controllers
Exercise 8	Mininet and FlowVisor

Due Dates for Exercises

Date	Exercises Due
During Course	Exercise 5 (Mininet Setup)
10.04.2015	Exercise 1 (Introduction), Exercise 2 (Python Basics)
17.04.2015	Exercise 3 (SDN II), Exercise 6 (Mininet Topologies)
30.04.2015	Exercise 4 (Python SDN Simulator), Exercise 7 (Mininet Controllers), Exercise 8 (FlowVisor)

Requirements

• Basic knowledge in computer networking is required
• Students will benefit from knowledge in Python (however, the skills required for the course will be taught!)
• 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.