Objective

Network Softwarization requires an entirely new set of skills from the engineers that design and operate networks. The objectibe of the Netsoft CREATE training program is to meet this criterial need in the Canadian telecom industry. Our goal is to prepare graduates with a fundamental understanding and practical experience in SDN and NFV along with the communication and teamwork skills that allow them to integrates smoothly and contribute immediately to the success of Canadian companies.

NSERC CREATE Network Softwarization Courses:

Course 1: Network Softwarization: Principles and Foundations

Course 2: Network Softwarization: Technologies and Enablers

These two companion courses on network softwarization are offered simultaneously in the Winter 2019. The first course introduces concepts and principles of network softwarization while the second course focuses on hands on experience with technology enablers.  The courses will be offered simultaneously at University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, Université Laval and École des Technologies Supérieures (ETS).

Course 1: Network Softwarization: Principles and Foundations

This course introduces concepts and principles of network softwarization.  The course will be offered in flip mode. Pre-recorded video lectures will be provided prior to class and weekly interactive sessions (remotely attended by students in other universities) will provide an opportunity to discuss lecture material and answer students’ questions.

Day/time of classes: Friday 9:30 AM – 11:50 AM

Outline

Part 1: Software-Defined Networking Principles and Design

• Introduction to SDN (Week 1)
• SDN Data, Control Planes, and APIs (Week 2)
• Network Virtualization (Week 3)

Part 2: Cloud Computing, Network Function Virtualization and Orchestration

• Introduction to Cloud Computing (Week 4)
• Programmable Networks (Week 5)
• Network Function Virtualization (Week 6)
• IoT, Smart Cities, and 5G Use Cases (Week 7)

Part 3: Sustainable Management of Clouds and Networks

• Data Analytics (Week 8)
• Energy efficient and sustainable management (Week 9)

Part 4: Software-Defined Optical WAN and Radio Access

• 5G Fronthaul requirements (Week 10)
• Trends in multicarrier optical physical layer (Week 11)
• Spatial Multiplexing (Week 12)

Evaluation

Weekly quizzes on video lectures and reading 40%

• Created and graded by professor(s) offering the lecture

Research paper on relevant topic 50%

• Topic approved and paper graded by assigned professor

Class participation 10%

Course 2: Network Softwarization: Technologies and Enablers

This course focuses on hands on experience with softwarization technologies and enablers.  Background needed for assignments will be presented in weekly interactive sessions (remotely attended by students in other universities). Teaching assistants will be available remotely to discuss assignment material and offer technical assistance with connectivity to computing resources.

Day/time of classes: Monday 12:00 PM – 2:50 PM

Outline:

Part 1: Software-Defined Networking

• SDN data plane – Open vswitch & Mininet tutorial and lab. (Week 1)
• SDN control plane – ONOS tutorial and lab. (Week 2)
• SDN network virtualization – FlowVisor & OVX tutorial and lab. (Week 3)

Part 2: Cloud Computing, Network Function Virtualization and Orchestration

• Cloud Computing – OpenStack tutorial and lab. (Week 4)
• Programmable Networks – Service orchestration & chaining lab. (Week 5)
• Network Function Virtualization – Federation tutorial and lab. (Week 6)
• IoT, Smart Cities, and 5G Use Cases – IoT applications lab. (Week 7

Part 3: Sustainable Management of Clouds and Networks (ETS Montreal)

• Data Analytics –Cloud workload classification/prediction lab. (Week 8)
• Energy efficient and sustainable management – Green ICT tutorial (Week 9)

Part 4: Software-Defined Optical WAN and Radio Access

• 5G Fronthaul – capacity of various optical network solutions (Week 10)
• OFDM – flex grid and dynamic allocation of bandwidth (Week 11)
• Guest Speaker (Week 12)

Evaluation

Weekly laboratory/programming/simulation assignments and exercises 40%

• Created and graded by professor(s) offering the lecture

Project on relevant topic 50%

• Project expands on one of weekly topics; approved and graded by assigned professor

Class participation 10%

Internship Offer

Students must complete both courses in order to qualify for internships in the NSERC CREATE program on network softwarization.