logoTCN 6430

Syllabus

Course Description:

Network management remains the least understood aspect of networking. Managers of today’s enterprise and carrier networks face great challenges, as they need to manage a variety of devices, protocols and mechanisms, to meet a diverse set of goals in performance, security, availability and costs. This course provides students with a comprehensive view of the network management problem, including its concepts, scope, challenges, and techniques. We will study the network management concepts in concrete applications and scenarios such as MPLS, VPN, VLAN, etc. As a highlight of this course, we will also spend significant amount of time studying emerging networking technologies such as Software Defined Networking, to better prepare students for managing future IT infrastructures.
This class does require python programming. Depending on the need, a few lectures of Python will be provided. However, the programming is always related to this class's networking topic.

Course Objective:

  • Develop critical thinking dealing with network automation.
  • Understand how to write a survey paper in this area.
  • Configure SDN to understand the flexibility provided by this technology in the context of network control and management
  • Acquire presentation skills of technical papers.
  • Understand open problems in the area of network management and controls.

Pre-requisites

A Solid knowledge of networking (e.g., layered Internet architecture, basic switching and routing concepts). Students should have taken a general computer networking course such as TCN 5030. Basic programming knowledge is recommended for the project. If you are not sure you meet the requirements, please feel free to talk to me.

Required Textbooks

  • Automated Network Management Systems by Douglas E. Comer (2007). Available via VitalSource.Com. Also available new or used in Amazon. ISBN 978-0132393089. [ANMS]
  • Software Defined Network: A Comprehensive Approach by Goransson and Black. (available in our library). ISBN 978-0124166752. [SDN]

Additional Textbooks

See here.

Tentative Outline/Topics

See schedule.

NOTE
The following notes applies more to network security. While we may not covered those topics here, I always like to add the following disclaimer:
Some topics in this class may teach you how to break into a system (not this particular class). However, you must work in a safe environment to avoid any legal complications. Furthermore, the use of some of this techniques may be illegal under US Federal Law or other countries' legal system. Be responsible. Unless you have the legal approval of the government (or institution), you should not performed techniques that may be illegal, as it not only may land you in Jail but they maybe socially unacceptable. Finally, it is always easier to create chaos or destroy (hack into a system) than to build. The beautiful art of building something new will always take more time, more brain power, and will yield higher satisfaction

Status of Syllabus: Current. (Last updated: 08/22/2016 @ 1425)

Time and Location: Monday and Wednesday (17:00 to 18:15) ECS 134

Grading:

  • Final Exam: 35%
  • Class Project: 20% (Handout will be facilitated via moodle)
  • Assigments: 10%
  • Literature Review and Paper Presentation: 10%
  • Final Project (Literature Survey): 25%
  • Extra Credit: +10% Implementation of Automation Network Management (related to the Literature Survey - need or +5% configuration of pfSense (you may not do both, must pick one). to discuss with me before)

    Grading Scale:

  • A: 93+
  • A-: 90
  • B+: 86
  • B: 82
  • B-: 78
  • C+: 74
  • C: 70
  • D: 60
  • F: 59 and below
  • Note: I may modified the scale if needed, but it will in your favor. For example, while A usually will stay in 93, I may lower A- to 89. This is done at the end and no information is provided during the process, since it happens after the final exam (except when time allows to inform all of you via moodle). Of course, you can come to my office after the semester and find out.

    About assignments and projects

  • Information will be provided via moodle and/or class. Some guidelines are provided here in the syllabus.
  • Late assignments received a 15% deduction. Late assignments are accepted after 24 hours.

    Course Policies

  • Attendance: Attendance is not graded but it may be taken. Missing classes may affect your grade if we have graded activities.
  • Academic Misconduct: For work submitted, it is expected that each student will submit their own original work. Any evidence of duplication, cheating or plagiarism will result at least a failing grade for the course.
  • Deadlines: see moodle
  • To get assistance, always email me before you come to my office to make sure I'm not with another student or doing some other work. See my office hours.
  • Students are encouraged to ask questions and to discuss course topics with the instructor and with each other.
  • DO NOT send assignments by email. Use moodle for all communications and assignment submissions. Sending via email will only cause confusion and you may end up without a grade. This is even true when moodle closes and students will send emails with their assignment. Do not send me attachments via email, unless if I ask you for it.
  • Instructor reserves right to change course materials or dates as necessary.

    Exam Policies

  • Make sure to complete the assigned work in order to do well in the exam.
  • No discussion is permitted during the exams.
  • Instructor is not compelled to give credit for something he cannot read or follow logically.

    Student Conduct and Learning Environment

    Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and to honestly demonstrate the quality of their learning.

    Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook:     http://globaldatebooksonline.com/flipbooks/FIU/#2

    YOU CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD A LOCAL COPY HERE: Student Handbook PDF - LOCAL COPY

    Can I change this document?

    From Faculty's handbook:

    Instructors retain the right to modify the course syllabus for any reason throughout the semester provided that:

  • Fair and adequate notice is given to enrolled students either by e-mail, in writing, or through online publishing.

  • Modifications to the syllabus are not arbitrary or capricious.

  • Students are not unfairly disadvantaged by mid-semester changes to grading standards, attendance standards, or performance measures.

    NOTE: In most cases, I will only change this document to accommodate the entire class. I will let you know if there are any changes.

    POLICIES:

  • Code of Academic Integrity:
        http://www.fiu.edu/~oabp/misconductweb/2codeofacainteg.htm
  • University Policies: academic misconduct, sexual harassment, religious holydays, and information on services for students with disabilities
        http://www.fiu.edu/provost/polman/sec2/sec2web2-44.htm

    • If you have any disability make sure you let me know with time to make any accommodation. Also, please make sure you check the FIU Disability Center web site at : http://drc.fiu.edu I will be more than happy to accommodate any part of this class, based on the recommendation of DRC.


    Incomplete Grade Policy:

    Only given in extreme cases and I reserve the right to deny an incomplete. In most cases, an I grade is given if you need to deploy (military service), serious and documented illness, or documented death of a family member. You cannot use an incomplete to get extra time to finish the class. You must have a passing grade at the moment you request the incomplete.

    Important Dates:

  • Aug. 29, 2016. Last day to receive full refund.
  • Sept. 5, 2016. (Monday) Memorial Day (No classes)
  • Oct. 31,2016. Last day to drop classes with DR or WI.
  • Nov 24 & 25, 2016. (Thursday and Friday). Thanksgiving. University Closed
  • Nov 26, 2016 (No Saturday classes).
  • Dec 7, 2016 (GL 139) 17:00 - 19:00 Final Exam

    • Holidays (university will be closed)

    How to do well in this class (applies to all classes)

    The following items are what I found during my studies to help me. Maybe some will help you

    • Read the book/slides and any other material available to be presented at the class, BEFORE CLASS!  READ EARLY AND OFTEN!
    • Do your own work. Struggling to do homework is a good exercise that will prove to be a great asset in the future.
    • Always challenge yourself.
    • Remember that you are paying tuition. Therefore, try to get the most out of it!
    • Ask questions!
    • If you are having trouble in the class, you may want double the amount of time to study the course.
    • Always do additional exercises. Always read beyond the class!
    • There are great resources online. Use them. You are expected at this level to be able to be self-sufficient.
    • If you are in a graduate course (and it may applied to undergraduate level too), please know that you are expected to do excellent work. Anything less than a B is usually considered failing in graduate schools (of course, each program has their own rules).

    HOMEWORK:

    You will need to submit your homework via moodle. When submitting homework to moodle, you will need to upload ONE compress file (zip,rar) with the following format: LastName_FirstName_PantherID_HW#.zip (or .rar) Each homework will stay if you need to print out the homework or not before coming to class. The exception of this is when you are submitting a PDF.

    CLASS READING MATERIAL:

    Go to moodle for lectures

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  • I will try to accommodate legitimate, verifiable cases of illness and emergencies. I do accommodate religious holidays.

  • Link to undergraduate student misconduct.

  • Link to graduate student misconduct.