The central topic of the course is the study of architectures and protocols to enable virtualization in future communication networks, with a specific focus on mobile networks (5G and beyond). Softwarization and virtualization are considered vital in the next generation of communication networks, as seen in the current framework of 5G as standardization moves from New Radio to the infrastructure and management aspects. This course presents a holistic understanding of such technologies, and it proposes both theoretical as well as practical concepts. An extensive hands-on component is included in this course, where participants will learn how to use the discussed technologies.
The technical issues addressed by the course will include:
Introductory session: Presenting the reasoning on the need for computing in communication networks, this introduction will provide a picture of the evolution of networks up to present day. Instructors will discuss 5G basics, requirements, evolution from 4G and current standardization status and beyond. The hands-on practice environment and its concepts will be also introduced during this part of the course.
Key theoretical concepts: The first part of this session will address Software Defined Networking (SDN) and will describe conceptual issues and design opportunities deriving from the detachment of the control plane from the data plane, network programmability, and existing solutions in the SDN eco-system (mainly OpenFlow, but with an overview of ONOS and P4). Next the instructors will cover Network Function Virtualization (NFV), discussing conceptual issues and design opportunities deriving from the abstraction of network functionalities from dedicated hardware, performance issues, and existing solutions for NFV (docker, OpenStack).
Hands-on sessions on SDN and NFV: This portion of the course will provide participants with an opportunity to review the concepts presented earlier in the course in a practical environment.
Concepts and hands-on on advanced network services: The instructors will discuss Mobile Edge Cloud, Network Coding, as well as Machine Learning and Compressed Sensing applications. Pre-defined examples in the distributed Virtual Machine will be used to illustrate the practical implementation of such concepts and enable the participants to “play” with such technologies themselves.
Advanced topics will be reviewed at the end of the course, allowing time for a question and answer session with the participants.
The course is the first of its kind that tries to build up a holistic understanding of the technologies supporting the development of the next generation of communication networks (e.g. 5G), and proposes both theoretical as well as practical concepts – including extensive hands-on where the attendees will learn how to use the presented technologies.
In fact, besides the theoretical subjects above, the course will also address the issues about actual deployment and implementation of such concepts, by introducing to the participants the proper open-source software tools to use for experimentation. Details regarding the software to download and install will be shared with participants in advance of the course, so that they will are ready to participate in real-time during the hands-on experience. Practical sessions will be explored step-by-step by the instructors as well as in supplemental materials.
The course is based on a book written by the instructors on “Computing in Communication Networks,” which was recently published by Elsevier in May 2020. The virtual machine referenced in the course can be accessed at https://git.comnets.net/public-repo/comnetsemu