Program Overview

Course Overview

Course Description

The course FIK3619 Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) is a 7.5 credit course that focuses on the dramatic transformation of today's networks. SDN makes it possible to quickly deploy new protocols without requiring extensive hardware changes, while NFV aims to decrease costs for network operators by utilizing open source software running on commodity hardware.

Content and Learning Outcomes

Course Contents

The course covers the core concepts of SDN and NFV, including the separation of data and control planes, SDN data plane, and SDN control plane. It also explores network virtualization, verification and debugging of SDNs, and Network Functions Virtualization components.

Intended Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, students should be able to:

• Describe the key benefits of SDN
• Describe the SDN data plane
• Explain the operation of the SDN control plane
• Configure an SDN-friendly network emulator
• Program a sample SDN using a low-level approach and a high-level approach
• Evaluate a sample SDN's performance and reliability
• Explain network virtualization
• Describe techniques used for verification and debugging of SDNs
• Describe Network Functions Virtualization components and how they work together
• Explain how to create new network services using SDN and NFV
• Describe the role and functionality of middleboxes in networks and how they are managed
• Configure an example service using SDN and NFV
• Describe techniques to enable applications to control the underlying network using SDN
• Give examples of and describe current research problems within SDN and NFV

Literature and Preparations

Specific Prerequisites

Students are required to have passed IK2215 (Advanced Internetworking) or have equivalent knowledge in Internetworking and Computer Communications. Good programming knowledge (C++, Java, or Python) is also required.

Literature

The course includes research articles and other relevant literature.

Examination and Completion

Grading Scale

The grading scale for the course is P (pass) or F (fail).

Examination

The examination consists of:

• EXA1 - Examination, 7.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• For doctoral students, a minimum six-page report describing the relationship between their research and SDN/NFV is required.
• For master-level students, the course is divided into three parts:
  • Written exam (A-F)
  • Paper summaries (evaluations) (A-F)
  • Project assignments (A-F) The final grade is based on the combination of the results of these three components.

Examiner

The examiner for the course is Dejan Kostic.

Further Information

Course Room in Canvas

Registered students can find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas.

Offered By

The course is offered by EECS/Communication Systems.

Education Cycle

The course is part of the third cycle.

Postgraduate Course

The course is a postgraduate course at EECS/Communication Systems.