Broad Band Networks

Code:

EEC0046

Acronym:

RBLA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Telecommunications

Instance: 2009/2010 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://paginas.fe.up.pt/~jruela/RBL_index.html
Responsible unit:	Telecommunications
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Electrical and Computers Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEEC	30	Syllabus since 2007/2008	4	-	6	63	160

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The program and the way this course unit is organised, aim to develop students’ skills, which will be divided in the various learning and assessment components.

The main aims of this course unit will be further down described and be organised by types of skills:

1. Acquisition of technical knowledge
The theoretical component of this course unit aims to endow students with additional skills and knowledge in the area of communication networks, in order to deepen students’ knowledge acquired in Computer Networks.
This additional training is essential for students who choose to specialize themselves in the area of Communication Networks and Services. It covers a group of topics which are related to the architecture and technology used in the implementation and operation of modern broad band networks, both public and private.
In this course unit it will be presented and discussed the support architectures to integrate services, as well as service quality models. A special emphasis will be given to IP networks and various support technologies.
This knowledge acts as a starting point to acquire the skills referred further down. These skills will be assessed in an exam.

2. Application of knowledge (conceiving, designing and implementing systems)
The laboratory component of this course unit aims to make students apply and analyse their theoretical knowledge. Laboratory assignments will be based on conceiving, testing and verifying real cases of communication, using network equipments and personal computers, which have to be set accordingly to the specifications of each case.
Students will be assessed based on their performance in laboratory (carrying out the assignments and meeting the objectives). They will be asked to write technical reports about each assignment and results obtained.
By doing these assignments students will have the chance to develop other skills, which will be referred further down.

3. Development of personal and professional skills
The theoretical component of this course unit is an essential basis to the development of professional skills in this area of specialization.
The laboratory component will strengthen these skills, since it allows students to develop their experimentation, application and verification skills, by using equipments which are identical to the ones used by engineers in the professional environment in this area of specialization.
This learning process includes the preparation and presentation of a scientific paper (it will be assessed). Students have to do the bibliography research. This activity aims to develop students’ skills in the critical analysis of bibliography, selection and systemization of information and synthesis of knowledge acquired.

4. Development of inter-personal skills (teamwork and communication)
Laboratory assignments are group assignments and each of them requires planning and coordination of tasks by every element of the group.
The scientific paper also aims to develop students’ communication skills.


The different assessment components are related to the above mentioned skills in the following way:
Exam- acquisition of theoretical knowledge
Laboratory assignments: application of knowledge and development of professional skills (creation of real cases of communication, experimentation and verification of results), development of inter-personal skills (teamwork, task planning and coordination)
Scientific paper- development of personal (bibliography research, critical analysis, information synthesis) and interpersonal (oral communication) skills.

Program

1. Integration of services
Concepts, aims, needs and feasibility; Integration of services in Broad Band networks; Information transference; Integration of services in ATM and IP networks
2. Support technologies (switching and routing)
Switching LANs and virtual LANs (VLANs); MANs and access networks (Gigabit Ethernet, EPONs, GPONs, RPR). Routing: interior routing protocols (distance vector, link state) and exterior routing protocols; examples (RIP, OSPF, BGP-4);
3. Architectures
IP architectures: overlay model (Classical IP over ATM, LAN Emulation, Multiprotocol over ATM); routing and switching integration (Multiprotocol Label Switching); IP optical networks; Metro Ethernet; Virtual Private Networking (VPNs)
4. Quality of Service
Quality of Service in ATM networks: service model and classes; Quality of Service models in IP networks: IntServ and DiffServ; Traffic control mechanisms: admission control, policing, shaping, buffers and queuing management, scheduling, congestion control;
IP multimedia architecture

Mandatory literature

Tanenbaum, Andrew S. 1944-; Computer Networks. ISBN: 0-13-038488-7
Stallings, William; Data and Computer Communications. ISBN: 0-13-243310-9
Peterson, Larry L.; Computer Networks. ISBN: 978-0-12-374013-7
Leon-Garcia, Alberto; Communication networks. ISBN: 0-07-119848-2
Comer, Douglas E.; Internetworking with TCP/IP. ISBN: 0-13-187671-6

Complementary Bibliography

Stallings, William; High-speed networks and internets. ISBN: 0-13-032221-0
Partridge, Craig; Gigabit networking. ISBN: 0-201-56333-9
Keshav, S.; An engineering approach to computer networking. ISBN: 0-201-63442-2
Jha, Sanjay; Engineering internet QoS. ISBN: 1-58053-341-8
Perlman, Radia; Interconnections. ISBN: 0-201-63448-1

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes will be based on the presentation of the themes of the course unit and on discussion. Students have to do three laboratory assignments about the themes of this course unit, in order to complement their knowledge acquisition and to be assessed. Each student has to write a scientific paper and give a presentation about it. Students have to do it based on themes previously set.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	54,00
First laboratory assignment (execution and report)	Trabalho laboratorial	8,00		2010-03-19
Second laboratory assignment (execution and report)	Trabalho laboratorial	12,00		2010-04-16
Third laboratory assignment (execution and report)	Trabalho laboratorial	12,00		2010-05-07
Fourth laboratory assignment (execution and report)	Trabalho laboratorial	12,00		2010-06-04
Monography (preparation and presentation)	Trabalho escrito	24,00		2010-06-09
	Total:	-	0,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
Preparation for the exam (along the term)	Estudo autónomo	40
	Total:	40,00

Eligibility for exams

To be admitted to exams, students have to do the laboratory assignments (and reports) and write and present a scientific paper. Besides they have to reach a minimum grade of 8 out of 20 in each of these components.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Grade will be based on the grade of the three assessment components:
- laboratory assignments are worth 40% of the final grade (the first is worth 7% and the other 11%).
- The scientific paper is worth 20% of the final grade
- Exam (closed book) is worth 40% of the final grade and it will be based on theoretical questions.

To complete this course unit, students have to reach a passing grade in the laboratory component and reach a minimum grade of 7 in the exam.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students with a special status have to write and present a scientific paper. They should also do the laboratory assignments by joining a group.
However, if it is not possible, each case will be independently discussed in order to reach an agreement in how students will be assessed.

Classification improvement

Students cannot improve the grade of the continuous assessment component (laboratory assignments and scientific paper). Students can only improve the grade of the exam.

Observations

Students should have basic knowledge in the area of Computer Networks.

Students can schedule a meeting with the professor by sending an e-mail to jruela@fe.up.pt