Module Details

Module Code: COMP8052
Title: Software-Defined Networking
Long Title: Software-Defined Networking
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4811 - Computer Science
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: Software Defned Networking (SDN) is emerging as a key technology to deal with the ever increasing network management burden
created by our interconnected world. It does this by separating the data and control functions of network devices through well defined Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The purpose of this module is to provide students will the knowledge to understand the evolution of SDN, its concepts, and skills to create and configure a SDN network.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Examine the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting SDN compared to traditional approaches to networking.
LO2 Analyse the functions and components of the SDN architecture.
LO3 Discuss the major requirements of the design of an SDN protocol.
LO4 Design and create an SDN network consisting of SDN switches and a centralised controller.
LO5 Analyse the performance of the SDN network by using verification and troubleshooting techniques.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
12702 COMP6027 Networking Fundamentals
12787 COMP7032 Routing and Switching Concepts
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
SDN Introduction
Challenges and oppurtunities. VLANs, Overlay networking, active network, SDN. Other related technologies - FORCES, RCP, Ethane, P4. SDN application areas - network virtualisation, performance, scalability and multi-tenancy. Service and network management.
SDN Architecture
Network Operating System (NOS). SDN Architecture. Planes - data, management and control. Interfaces - northbound and southbound.
SDN Protocols
SDN Protocol specifications: Border Gateway Protocol (BGP); Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI); OpenFlow. OpenFlow versions. Components of an OpenFlow Switch. Flow and group tables. Rule matching. Action handling. Table misses. Counters, metering and metadata.
SDN vSwitch and Controllers
Languages and functions available for programming SDNs, northbound API. Mininet. Software vs. Hardware SDN switch implementations - Open vSwitch, WhiteBox, ONL. Controller implementations - POX, NOX, Beacon, Floodlight. Special Purpose controllers - Flowvisor, RouteFlow.
Verification and Troubleshooting
Header space analysis, Veriflow, Kinetic.
Present and Future of SDN
Commercial implementations, research directions. SDN in wired and wireless networks. Security challenges.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 4,5
Assessment Description
Design and create a simple SDN network with a controller and a switch.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 4,5
Assessment Description
Design, create and debug an SDN network consisting of multiple network elements (SDN switches and controller).
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
End of Semester Formal Examination.
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theoretical treatment of relevant topics. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Lab-based practical work. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study, project work, extra reading Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theoretical treatment of relevant topics. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Lab-based practical work. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study, project work, extra reading. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Goransson, P; Black, C.. (2014), Software Defined Networks: A Comprehensive Approach, 1st Ed.. Morgan Kaufmann, [ISBN: 9780124166752].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Nadeau, T. D., Gray, K.. (2013), SDN: Software Defined Networks, 1st. O'Reilly Media, [ISBN: 9781449342302].
  • William Stallings. (2015), Foundations of Modern Networking: SDN, NFV, QoE, IoT, and Cloud, Addison-Wesley Professional, [ISBN: 9780134175393].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • N. McKeown, T. Anderson, H. Balakrishnan et al.. (2008), OpenFlow: enabling innovation in campus networks, ACM SIGCOMM Computer Communication Review, Volume 38 Issue 2.
  • Open Networking Foundation. (2015), TR-518 Relationship of SDN and NFV.
  • Sherwood, R., Gibb, G., Yap, K. K., Appenzeller, G., Casado, M., McKeown, N., & Parulkar, G. (2009), Flowvisor: A network virtualization layer., OpenFlow Switch Consortium, Tech Report, p.1.
  • Feamster, N., Rexford, J., & Zegura, E. (2013), The road to SDN, Queue, 11(12).
  • Stallings, W.. (2013), Software-defined networks and openflow, The internet protocol Journal, 16(1), p.2.
  • Chowdhury, N. M., Boutaba, R. (2009), Network virtualization: state of the art and research challenges, IEEE Communications Magazine, 47(7).
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KDNET_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Systems 7 Mandatory
CR_KITMN_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in IT Management and Cybersecurity 7 Elective