Access Networks-LEIRT

T - Theoretical; TP - Theory and practice; PL - Laboratory; S - Seminar; OT - Tutorial. (*) - Variable.

• Intended learning outcomes

  Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Describe the various technologies, protocols and relevant aspects of multiservice broadband networks of the operators that provide Internet services (ISP), including triple play (TV, phone and data).
  2. Understand policies of QoS, traffic engineering, security and others, used in the context of multiservice networks.
  3. Do the conception of (plan, implement and configure the equipment) multiservice networks.
• Syllabus:

  Multiservice networks in its various components.
  Reference models of ETSI and ITU-T.
  Introduction to technologies used in operators’ and access networks.
  • TDM - TDM hierarchy. PDH.
  • SDH / SONET - "IP over SDH".
  • xDSL (ADSL / ADSL2 + / VDSL).
  • DOCSIS - high-speed data transmission on CATV networks.
  • ATM - Reference Model, topology and UNI and NNI interfaces. ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL). Quality of 

  Service (QoS). Traffic classes and AAL: AAL type 1, 2, 3/4 and QoS in ATM. IP over ATM.
  Introduction to fiber optic networks
  • WDM. DWDM and CWDM variants. Use in PON. IP over WDM. Internetworking IP / WDM.
  • AON and PON - active and passive optical networks (EPON, GPON, WDM-PON)
  • Carrier Ethernet
  MPLS
  • MP-BGP, OSPF-TE
  • MPLS (LDP, RSVP-TE, T-LDP). Traffic engineering. Resilience. Quality of service.
  • Network-based services - IES, VPN (VPWS, VPLS, VPRN).
  • VPN Multicast - Multicast Protocols, utilization in, for example, VPLS and IPTV.
  MPLS vs SDN vs NFV
  SDN
  • NFV
  • OpenFlow

• Evidence of the syllabus coherence with the curricular unit’s intended learning outcomes:

  Operators’ networks (ISP - Internet Service Providers) have to provide high quality services to its customers, whether domestic or business. These networks have evolved from traditional telephone networks (POTS) using xDSL, through the coaxial cable networks from traditional television operators (CATV) using DOCSIS, to those that are supported by optical fiber to the home (FTTH), or almost, using mainly passive optical networks (PON). The evolution has been steady and at a high rate.
  The future tends to networks and services based on MPLS to offer Internet Access Services (IES), support various types of VPN (eg Epipe, VPLS, VPRN) and other advanced services.
  The SDN, and the technologies that support it, are the next evolutionary step of networks.
  It is intended that the students who complete this course know the technologies involved in this type of network and can work with them, either to define the necessary topologies, either to configure the network equipments that support it.

• Teaching methodologies

  Theoretical and practical teaching along 30 lectures that correspond to 67.5 contact hours (15 lectures of 3 hours and 15 of 1.5 hours). The total time for student work is 160 hours. The theoretical lectures serve to discuss the topics of the main syllabus, encouraging interactivity and asking questions. The main topics are further explored by performing computer-based projects and the design and implementation of physical networks through routers (problem-based learning).
  Learning outcomes (1) - (3) are individually assessed through written tests or final exam, laboratory assignments during the semester.

• Evidence of the teaching methodologies coherence with the curricular unit’s intended learning outcomes:

  The objective (1) of the course unit is achieved through lectures and the support material (slides and other bibliography), by performing practical exercises and case studies selected by the teacher. The objective (2) and (3) are achieved through laboratory work, where students do the configuration of the network equipment. The completion of the laboratory work is accompanied by the teacher during the contact hours to ensure correct knowledge and that the skills of the students are achieved.

• Main Bibliography:
  • Folhas da disciplina
  • “Alcatel-Lucent Network Routing Specialist II (NRS II) Self-Study Guide: Preparing for the NRS II Certification Exams”, Glenn Warnock, Amin Nathoo, Wiley, 2011
  • “Alcatel-Lucent Service Routing Architect (SRA) Self-Study Guide: Preparing for the BGP, VPRN and Multicast Exams”, Glenn Warnock, Mira Ghafary, Ghassan Shaheen, John Wiley & Sons, 2015
  • “Designing and Implementing IP-MPLS-Based Ethernet Layer 2 VPN Services”, Zhou Xu, Wiley Publishing Inc / Alcatel Lucent, 2009
  • “Connection-oriented networks: SONET/SDH, ATM, MPLS and optical networks”, Harry G Perros, Wiley, 2005
  • “Alcatel-Lucent Scalable IP Networks Self-Study Guide: Preparing for the Network Routing Specialist I (NRS I) Certification Exam”, 2009