Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2018 - 2019
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Description The aim of the module is to introduce students to the software embedded in network devices such as routers to implement network protocols. Where possible, open source implementations of protocols used in live networks will be studied. Both the data plane and the control plane will be studied, including data-link layer protocols, network layer protocols and transport layer protocols. Optimisation techniques, hardware acceleration and other approaches to achieving “wire speed” operation will be investigated. Protocols appropriate to the Internet of Things, to data centres, and to the future Internet will be considered. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning Outcomes 1. to classify network functionality as belonging to the control plane and the data plane respectively 2. explain how a typical operating system processes packets from arrival from an interface card to forwarding to user space 3. describe the principles involved in implementing a network stack in software 4. decompose the software of “middleboxes” such as network routers into a software architecture 5. evaluate the trade-offs involved in hardware versus software implementation of packet processing functions 6. demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge of networking 7. add functionality to an open-source network stack 8. adapt existing software to meet new networking requirements | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and
Learning Activities Low Level IssuesBridging overview, Ethernet, 6LoWPAN, Wi-fi, Data rates, hardware vs. software Router architecture, network device drivers, buffer management.Network Layerroute pinning and datagram routing IPv4, IPv6, firewalling and NAT.Transport LayerReview of sockets, TCP protocol description Implementation of TCP Multi-homing, multi-path, congestionControl PlaneControl Plane vs. Data Plane Internet routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, BGP). Router configuration and network administration. Why is signalling needed? End-to-end signalling SDN and OpenFlow QoS and resource reservationAdvanced Packet ForwardingDeep packet probes, policy-based routing, Hardware acceleration, network processors | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources 26989, Blog entry, 0, No Title, http://www.tune2wizard.com/kernel-programming-network-programming/, 26990, Blog entry, 0, No Title, https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/blog/2016/01/linux-networking-stack-from-the-ground-up-part-1/, 26991, Blog entry, 0, No Title, https://blog.packagecloud.io/eng/2016/06/22/monitoring-tuning-linux-networking-stack-receiving-data/, 26992, Blog entry, 0, No Title, http://www.cubrid.org/blog/dev-platform/understanding-tcp-ip-network-stack/, 26612, Article, Dan Siemon, 2013, Queueing in the Linux Network Stack, https://www.coverfire.com/articles/queueing-in-the-linux-network-stack/, 26613, Article, Arnout Vandecappelle, 0, Kernel Flow, The Linux Foundation, https://wiki.linuxfoundation.org/networking/kernel_flow, 26614, Slide Show, Thomas Graf, 0, Kernel Networking Walkthrough, Red Hat, http://www.slideshare.net/ThomasGraf5/devconf-2014-kernel-networking-walkthrough, 26615, Blog Entry, 2011, How to Write a Linux Firewall in Less than 1000 Lines of Code, http://www.roman10.net/2011/07/23/a-linux-firewall-using-netfilter-part-1overview/, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Programme or List of Programmes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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