This is a second course on computer networks, for advanced under-graduated or graduated students, allowing students to gain a deeper comprehensionof the subject. The course also takes an hands-on approach with extensive laboratory and project activity. Group projects allow students to gain insights in hot and emergent computer networking topics. Preferably, students should have previously succeeded an introductory level course on Computer Networks.

Knowledge and understanding goals

• Routing
• Quality of service and network dimensioning
• Transport protocols
• Emergent topics in computer networking

Know-how goals

• Ability to setup a small TCP/IP Network
• Ability to use tools for network analysis and measurement
• Awareness of representative equipment used in real computer networks
• Usage of network emulators
• Usage of cluster networks
• Research and analyze emergent networking topics

1. Principles, foundations and models of computer networks
2. Switched Ethernet, STP and VLANs. Shortest-Path Routing.
3. IP adressing, inter-domain and multicasting routing protocols. MPLS.
4. Explicit Feedback Congestion Control. Quality of Service.
5. Topics in Data Center and Cloud Networking: special requirements, physical data center configuration, software defined networking, host virtualization and migration, routing and traffic engineering, network function virtualization, transport for data centers, inter-data centers networks, CDNs.
6. Transport protocols: review and evolution of congestion control in TCP and other transport protocols.

Hands-on laboratory sessions on switched Ethernet and shortest path routing take place in a special purpose laboratory equiped with conventional network gear. Programming assignments on network control and virtualization will use Mininet and Openflow virtual switches.

Course support books

• José Legatheaux Martins, "Fundamentos de Redes de Computadores - Ilustrados com base na Internet e nos Protocolos TCP/IP," 1ª Edição, FCT/UNL, 2018.

• Larry L. Peterson and Bruce S. Davie, “Computer Networks – A Systems Approach – 4th Edition,” Morgan & Kaufman, 2007

• Hamed Haddadi and Olivier Bonaventure (editors), “Recent Advances in Networking”, Volume 1, ACM SIGCOMM eBook, August 2013

• Ivan Marsic, “Computer Networks – Performance and Quality of Service,“ Rutgers University, 2013 (http://www.ece.rutgers.edu/~marsic/books/CN/)

Preferably, students should have previously succeeded an introductory level course on Computer Networks.