OVERVIEW

The objective of the class is to provide an comprehensive outlook on latest-generation technologies both for wireless access networks to connect user terminals and things (e.g., sensors), for supporting related services/applications at the “Cloud” and/or “Edge Computing” infrastructures.

To this end, the class will be organized into two main and highly complementary parts: the former with a specific topic on the latest-generation wireless networks (including the fifth radio mobile networks – 5g, and sixth generation of wireless LANs – Wi-Fi 6), the latter on Cloud/Edge computing and networking paradigms.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The class will introduce key paradigms and technologies in today’s and upcoming telecommunication networks: the 5G and Wi-Fi 6 wireless access networks, as well as virtualization technologies for edge and cloud computing, which are applied in the datacenters hosting both applications/services used by mobile devices and 5G core network functions.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching unit has the following objectives:

• Provide basic knowledge on the topics of modern wireless networks and how they interact with applications.
• Provide tools useful for the schematization and analysis of logical situations in environments with high convergence of network and software technologies.
• Build a language suitable for describing the reality of ICT systems.
• Stimulate communication among students on topics of wireless communication and cloud technologies, and their vertical integration in innovative application environments.

The active involvement to the proposed learning activities (traditional lectures, exercises and laboratory experiments) and the individual work will allow students to:

• Acquire the proper terminology/lexicon for identifying the main components and functions of 5G, Wi-Fi, and cloud/edge computing technologies.
• Know the main peculiarities of 5G and Wi-Fi technologies, their main capabilities and how they can be dynamically applied to offer dedicated networking slices to applications.
• Know the main features of cloud and edge computing paradigms, as well as of the Network Function Virtualization (NFV) standard, which is one of the main foundations of the 5G architecture.
• Identify the main components and functions inside or potentially connected to the 5G/Wi-Fi 6 ecosystem.
• Apply different communication and networking solutions to optimally exploit 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and cloud / edge computing to support innovative applications.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge on computer networking and Internet protocols

TEACHING METHODS

Classical front-end lessons and laboratories.

Classroom lectures will be organized using presentation slides (made available to students through AulaWeb), which will introduce the technologies and their key features through a problem-solving approach.

Laboratory sessions and practical exercises will be conducted in a highly interactive manner using cloud platforms (primarily OpenStack and Kubernetes), real Wi-Fi and 5G networks, and appropriate network emulators to analyze their behavior under different operational scenarios.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), disabilities, or other educational needs are invited to contact the teacher and the School Disability Coordinator at the beginning of the teaching unit to discuss possible teaching methods that, while respecting the teaching unit objectives, take into account individual learning styles. The contact details of the School Disability Coordinator are available at the following link: University Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities or SLD | UniGe | University of Genoa

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Wireless network introduction: main problems, approaches and reference technologies. Radio-mobile networks and wireless LANs.

Overview on Wireless LAN: the IEEE 802.11 standard, evolution from the “a/b” to the “ax” versions, main functionalities.

Overview on radio-mobile networks: the various radio-mobile network generations, base concept and anatomy of a radio mobile network, the role of the core network: authentications, authorization, billing, quality of service, mobility management and handovers.

Introduction to the 5G, its core network and its base design principles. 5G network functions; mobility management procedures; breakdown of the network and vertical applications.

ICT virtualization: overview on operating system, virtual machines, containers and virtualization offloading technologies. Cloud Computing and the “as-a-Service” model. Examples on cloud systems; the role of application orchestrators. The distrubuted Cloud: the Edge Computing. Introduction to the Network Function Virtualization. The 5G core as cloud/edge application.

The topics of the class are relevant to the Objectives no. 8, 9 and 11 for the sustainable growth of the ONU 2030 Agenda.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teaching slides, material and documents for laboratories, all available in the aulaweb website.

Book suggested as further readings:

• W. Stalling, "5G Wireless: A Comprehensive Introduction", Addison-Wesley, 2021, ISBN-10: 0-13-676714-1
• H.-C. Yang, M.-S. Alouini, Advanced Wireless Transmission Technologies: Analysis and Design, Cambridge University Press, 2020.

The teaching materials are also considered appropriate for students with learning disabilities. If different materials or methods are needed, students are encouraged to contact the instructor.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/9273/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam with multiple-choice questions and exercises/problems. The oral exam is optional.

The written exam will allow a maximum score of 30/30, and the oral exam can modify the written exam score by up to 5 points. Participation in the labs will provide up to an additional 3 points to the final grade.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), disabilities, or other educational needs may request compensatory and/or exemption measures for the exam. The procedures will be defined on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the University Regulations, in consultation with the instructor and the School's Disability and SLD Coordinator.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The multi-answer  test will assess the base knowledge acquisition on the tecnologies and concept explained in the class. The oral examination will allow assessing the capability of the Student to apply the acquired knowledge into practical problems and real scenarios.