Communications Networks and Services

This course describes the principles of software networks, namely network function virtualization and software defined networking. To achieve this objective, the student must acquire specific knowledge and capacities: - Understand the technological and market context triggering the need of network virtualization technologies. - Know and understand the principal virtualization technologies, including virtual machines and containers. - Understand the basics of programmable data planes. - Know the principal architecture of network function virtualization. - Implement, deploy and configure in the lab a realistic network service on a virtualization platform.

CB1: Students have demonstrated possession and understanding of knowledge in an area of study that builds on the foundation of general secondary education, and is usually at a level that, while relying on advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the cutting edge of their field of study. CB2: Students are able to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the competences usually demonstrated through the development and defence of arguments and problem solving within their field of study. ETEGISC1: Ability to construct, use and manage telecommunication networks, services, processes and applications, such as systems for capture, transport, representation, processing, storage, multimedia information presentation and management, from the point of view of transmission systems. ETEGISC2: Ability to apply techniques on which telecommunication networks, services and applications are based in fixed environments as well as mobile, personal, local or long distance, with different bandwidths, including telephone, radio broadcasting, television and data, from the point of view of transmission systems. RA1: Knowledge and Understanding. Knowledge and understanding of the general fundamentals of engineering, scientific and mathematical principles, as well as those of their branch or specialty, including some knowledge at the forefront of their field. RA3: Design. Graduates will have the ability to make engineering designs according to their level of knowledge and understanding, working as a team. Design encompasses devices, processes, methods and objects, and specifications that are broader than strictly technical, including social awareness, health and safety, environmental and commercial considerations. RA5: Applications. Graduates will have the ability to apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems, conduct research, and design engineering devices or processes. These skills include knowledge, use and limitations of materials, computer models, process engineering, equipment, practical work, technical literature and information sources. They must be aware  of all the implications of engineering practice: ethical, environmental, commercial and industrial.

The programme is divided into four parts: FIRST PART (Introduction): - Presentation and introduction of the course. - Introduction to Software Networks. SECOND PART (Virtualization): - Introduction to virtualization. - Hypervisors. - Virtual machines. - Containers. - Hardware support to virtualization. THIRD PART (Network Function Virtualization): - Introduction and motivation. - NFV architecture. - Software architecture. FOURTH PART (Software defined networks): - Introduction to SDN. - SDN architecture and OpenFlow basics. - OpenFlow and Integration with NFV.

The teaching methodology includes: (1) Theoretical classes. Students will be provided with the learning objectives to be covered in which lecture and the specific material to prepare it (prior to the actual class). In these classes, the concepts related to the learning objectives are revised and, with the participation of the students, the acquired knowledge will be checked and strengthened interactively (POs a, j). (2) Laboratory classes in computer rooms, where students will configure network virtualization tools.