Advanced Computer Networks

ABOUT THE COURSE: This is an advanced course on Computer Networks covering four main contemporary topics namely how high performance networks are designed covering algorithms and implementations, data center networking, information centric networking and network softwarization: software defined networking, network virtualization and programmable networks. This course assumes a basic knowledge of computer networks and working proficiency with Unix/Linux Operating Systems. It has practical component with programming assignments giving hands on to the students.INTENDED AUDIENCE: Final year undergraduate students and postgraduate (masters + PhD) students of computer science and engineeringPREREQUISITES: Computer Networks and Computer Architecture Courses are PrerequisitesINDUSTRY SUPPORT: CISCO, Juniper Networks, Sasken, Hewlett-Packard, Wipro, Broadcom

Week 1:High Performance Switching and Routing: Introduction, performance considerations, IP address lookup Week 2:Algorithms for IP address lookup and optimization, hardware implementation of address lookup Week 3:Packet Classification: Need for packet classification and methods for packet classification. Week 4:Differentiated Service, Quality of Service, Traffic Polishing, Traffic Shaping Week 5:Network Softwarization - Introduction Week 6:Software Defined Networking (SDN) - Deep Dive (Northbound and Southbound interface) , Working with Mininet + Lab Exercises with Mininet Week 7:Network Function Virtualization (NFV) - Architecture and Concepts Week 8:Programmable Networks - Introduction to P4, SmartNICS and P4 switches. + Lab Exercise with Mininet and BMV2 switches. Week 9:Data Center Networking (DCN) - Introduction Week 10:DCN - Deep Dive (Network topologies, Container Network Interfaces) Week 11:Content Distribution on the Internet, Architectures for Information Centric Networking Week 12:Content Naming, Routing and Caching, Security in Named Data Networking