Advanced Networking

Course manual 2024/2025

Course content

The course provides an overview of TCP, with emphasis on its flow control and congestion control mechanisms. We study the evolution of the protocol and the changes that have been introduced to increase its performance. We then introduce recent developments in network programmability and virtualization, including SDN, NFV, and P4. We also cover MPLS (as a forwarding and traffic engineering technology supporting VPNs) and EVPN/VXLAN (as virtualization overlays for multi-tenancy in data centers). We look at wireless networks, with emphasis on mobile networking, covering the design principles and performance aspects of 4G, 5G, and early 6G concepts. Finally, we examine clean-slate and next-generation Internet architectures, such as SCION, and evaluate their motivations and design trade-offs.

Study materials

Other

• Lecture notes, online material and pointers to books will be provided during the course.

Objectives

• At the end of the course the students can explain the most recent advances in networking
• They can report on the current trends in the transport layer protocols and compare different protocols operations with each other
• They can describe the advances in network virtualization, network programmability and software-defined networks
• They can describe the basics of (mobile) wireless networking
• They are introduced to clean-slate network architectures

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Fieldwork/excursion
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study

Two days of two hour lectures and four hour practical lab exercises per week.

Learning activities

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (TER-B):

1. All parts and activities of the curriculum are obligatory (presence and participation). This includes lectures, seminars, practical work, colloquia and site visits.
2. Exemptions for activities have to be granted in advance by the examiner.
3. If no exemption has been granted and the conditions as stated in paragraph 1 were not met, the component has to be taken again.

Assessment

The final grade will be composed of:

• pass/no pass labs
• 10% home assignment
• 90% final exam

Final exam grade should be equal or higher than 5.

Total weighted grade needs to be higher than 5.5.

Assignments

Computer Labs: Six lab sessions (group work) with reports/code submitted, feedback provided during sessions by teaching assistants, and assessed on a pass/no pass basis.

Home Assignments: Group work (pairs) involving the preparation and delivery of a research paper presentation, with oral feedback during class and graded at 10% of the final grade.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Additional information

Recommended prior knowledge: Having followed the course InterNetworking and Routing in the same track.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Chrysa Papagianni MSc