NETWORK AND SERVICE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL - 2023/4

Module Overview

Expected prior learning:  (1) Basic knowledge of the functioning of the Internet. Students might have acquired this through study of EEE3007 Data and Internet Working.  (2) Working knowledge of Java, C or C++.

Module purpose:  This module covers both basic and advanced management/control principles and technologies for modern computer and communication networks.

Module provider

Computer Science and Electronic Eng

Module Leader

WANG Ning (CS & EE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes the following.

Network Management Models and Technologies (6 hours)

Network and service management and control principles. The management functional areas. Layered management architectures.

The manager-agent model: managed objects, structure of management information, the management information base, management services and protocols, communication and awareness principles. 

Detailed examination of the relevant characteristics and comparison of (1) Internet Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and (2) OSI Systems Management (OSI-SM) and CMIS/P. Command-Line Interface (CLI)-based management and NetConf.

Traffic Engineering (6 hours)

Introduction to Traffic Engineering (TE), configuration/provisioning cycle, offline/dynamic TE.  Expected utilisation optimisation, load balancing.  The limitations of shortest-path routing.  MPLS-based TE through explicit paths.  IP-based TE through link weight setting. Content based traffic engineering.

Inter-domain Internet structure.  Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) principles.  Inbound and Outbound TE, and how BGP can be used to influence them. 

 QoS management and network measurement (6 hours)

 Basic concepts in service management, including service level agreement/specification, service subscription and invocation. Quality of Service management and provisioning strategies and approaches.

 Introduction, the IETF IPPM framework, commonly used network measurement tools, deep packet inspection (DPI), dealing with measured results.

 Fault Management and security management (6 hours)

 Characteristics of operational network failures, IP and MPLS fast reroute (FRR) mechanisms, resilience-aware traffic control, routing disruption avoidance, fault management in BGP configuration.

 Network intrusion and denial of services (DoS) overview, classification of DoS attacks, IP spoofing, BGP prefix hijacking, network address translation (NAT) and firewalls.

Energy management and Policy based network management [3 hours]

Introduction to the emerging network management paradigms for network energy efficiency and policy based network management (PBNM).

New Trends – Software Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualisation (3 hours) [NW]

Separation of control and data planes, introduction to software defined networks (SDN) and network function virtualisation (NFV).

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the learning outcomes.  The exam will assess students’ knowledge and assimilation of the concepts and details of the algorithms and protocols associated with network and service management technologies, as covered in the module.

 

Thus the summative assessment for this module consists of the following:

·         100% coursework including lab-based software programming and other open-question based assignments 

Formative assessment and feedback

Students will receive formative assessment / feedback in the following ways.

1.    During lectures and labs, by informal question and answer sessions.

2.    By means of unassessed tutorial problem sheets (these will be discussed in the revision class, and answers/model solutions will be made available to the students).

Module aims

• This module aims to introduce and explain in some depth the principles, functions, frameworks and approaches used for the management and control of telecommunications and packet networks and services, including network configuration for resource optimisation and service fulfilment.
• The module also aims to provide opportunities for students to learn about the Surrey Pillars listed below.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to provide students with the knowledge and understanding defined in the module learning outcomes.  Students will develop their cognitive skills by developing a clear understanding of the algorithmic approach to the course material, through demonstration of the algorithms in lectures and by self-practice of the algorithms.

Learning and teaching methods include the following:

• Captured video content


• Live lectures and tutorials


• Discussion of tutorial problem sheets


• Programing assignment with lab based support sessions.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: EEEM023

Other information

This module addresses all the five Surrey pillars:

Digital capabilities: This module offers technical introduction of control and management of modern digital network infrastructures and platforms.

Employability: This module provides both theoretical knowledge and practical skill development (problem solving, system design, programming etc.) for enhancing students’ employability in the competitive telecom industry.

Global and cultural capabilities: This module includes advanced knowledge about key features of the global Internet and how it is operated. It also involves common practices of network and service management adopted by global and regional network operators across the World.  

Resourcefulness and resilience: This module introduces basic principles and strategies of network planning and resource provisioning in operational networks. System resilience and robustness are also included in the context of fault management in modern telecommunication networks.

Sustainability: This module introduces energy-awareness in network management and control activities, providing insights into various solution strategies for achieving energy efficiency / net zero in the telecom ecosystem.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.