14-760: Advanced Real-World Data Networks

This course might be described as "Networking in the field". Building upon an understanding of networking principles, this course studies new advanced concepts for next generation networks and examines how those concepts are developed, deployed, and managed in a variety of real-world scenarios to address contemporary Internet challenges. This course explores the design and implementation of the network architecture and management services that compose modern and emerging network infrastructure. Topics may include, for example, quality of service, network services, traffic engineering, IP multicasting, multi-path TCP, SDN and NFV, cloud and data centers, 5G network infrastructures, and network monitoring and management. In successfully completing this course, students will have the opportunity to learn advanced network programming for developing network and network management services.

Students will be individually evaluated on all course deliverables. Contributions to the final grade will be 30% for individual lab assignments; 40% for the course project; and 30% for quizzes and exams.

In general, the course is open to graduate students who have some background/experience with networking.

Officially, the prerequisite of the course is one of 15441/641, 18441/741, or 14740.

Contact the instructor directly with any questions about prerequisites.

Labs: The lab assignments are intended to provide deeper familiarity with the lecture content and surrounding areas. Labs must be done individually. Discussion is encouraged, but each student must do their own work and submit their own content.

• Lab #0: socket programming and the CORE network emulator
• Lab #1: raw socket programming and TCP/IP
• Lab #2: queueing and quality of service
• Lab #3: wireless networking
• Lab #4: software-defined networking
• Lab #5: large-scale, heterogeneous network emulation

Project: Student teams will work on a larger project that will span most of the duration of the semester. Students must identify and propose their own project topic, with assistance from course staff as needed, and the project idea must be approved before work begins. There will be multiple project deliverables throughout the semester.

Quizzes and Exams: Online quizzes will be given throughout the semester to reinforce mastery of content discussed in class. In addition, exams will be given at major checkpoints during the semester.