| Module Code | CSP55031/EEP55C26 |
| Module Name | Open Configurable Networks |
| ECTS Weighting [1] | 5 ECTS |
| Semester Taught | Semester 1 |
| Module Coordinator/s | Marco Ruffini, Shreejith Shanker |
Module Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Explain the concept of control and data plane separation, network virtualisation and control plane programmability through Software Defined Networking and how they represents an evolution over previous networking paradigms.
2. Explain the concept of Software Defined Radio, its advantage in terms of reconfigurability and upgradeability and its application to spectrum sharing.
3. Be capable of working on software programmable networking environments, including Mininet or Mininet Optical for software defined networks (SDN) controllers, software defined radio (SDR) software stack, and access remote labs.
4. Be capable of developing control plane application and test them on emulated Mininet and Mininet optical environments and hardware testbed. 5. Be capable of developing software radio functionalities and test them in SDR laboratory.
Module Content
The module focuses around the concept of reconfigurable software defined networks, both from a fixed and wireless networking perspective. The module will start with an introduction to the concepts of Software Defined Networking, control/data plane separation and the OpenFlow protocol, and control of optical networks before going into the details of specific network controllers and the testing Mininet or Mininet Optical environment.
The wireless part of the module will start with the concept of software defined radio and its use in today’s networks. It will show implementation of SDR systems, and its application to dynamic spectrum access. The material learnt through the lectures will also be applied in laboratory work. This will consist of a number of introductory classes, followed by marked laboratory exercises.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Teaching and learning will be based on lectures, lab tutorials, tests and laboratory assignments.
Assessment Details
| Assessment Component | Brief Description | Learning Outcomes Addressed | % of Total | Week Set | Week Due |
| SDN application | Implement and test a network application over an SDN controller and test it over the Mininet or Mininet Optical environment. | LO 1,3,4 | 40% | 6 | |
| SDR test | IImplement SDR functionalities in a testbed platform | LO 2,3,5 | 40% | 12 | |
| Written test 1 | Test on SDN and SDR plane programmability | LO 1,2 | 20% | 11 |
Contact Hours and Indicative Student Workload
| Contact Hours (scheduled hours per student over full module), broken down by: | 33hours |
| Other | hours |
| Independent Study (outside scheduled contact hours), broken down by: | 60 hours |
| Preparation for classes and review of material (including preparation for examination, if applicable) | 15 hours |
| Completion of assessments (including examination, if applicable) | hours |
| Total Hours | hours |
Reassessment Details
All laboratories and an assignment in place of the written tests.
Recommended Reading List
Reading will be based on online material that will be provided throughout the module. Although not a pre-requisite, students are advised to take the Next Generation Networks (4th year first semester). This is thought both to SCSS and EE 4th year students.