OVERVIEW

The importance of quality of service is parallel with the recent evolution of telecommunication networks, which are characterized by a great heterogeneity. Even if the Quality of Service is the object of a great number of studies, questions to answer are: does QoS fit within heterogeneous networks? Which is the impact on the performance if information traverses different network portions that use specific QoS paradigms? These questions and corresponding possible answers are the core of the Course.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Definition of QoS, SLA (Service Level Agreement) and SLS (Service Level Specification). • Definition of heterogeneity. • QoS-oriented technologies: ATM, MPLS, IPv4, IPv6, user flow and traffic class identification • Integrated Services, Differentiated Services and DSCP Assignation, advantages and drawbacks, • Network control issues versus time: Traffic Identification, Traffic Shaping, introduction to Scheduling, CAC (Feasibility Region, Equivalent Bandwidth, Bandwidth Reservation), QoS Routing. • QoS over Heterogeneous Networks: concepts and problems, Horizontal and Vertical QoS Mapping, QoS Architectures, QoS Gateway, Relay Node and Relay Layer. • Software Defined Networking (SDN): introduction and aim, architecture, OpenFlow and Flow Table, conclusions and research activities • Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN): introduction and aim, architecture, Bundle Layer, CLA, conclusions and research activities

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The lectures are aimed at providing theoretical and practical knowledge about modern architectures for telecommunications networks, about applications, and about their control. The aim is to understand different technological solutions and algorithms to control and design interworking elements within a network.

The lectures provide the necessary know-how to design and manage advanced interworking technology, understand mail protocols at application layer, and investigate technological challenges, still object of research both industrial and academic, as well as quality of service provision over heterogeneous networks, satellite, space, and interplanetary networks.

At the end of the Course the students will learn: to use QoS-oriented technologies and Network Control algorithms, to design proper QoS-oriented solutions depending on the application environment, to investigate scientific solutions for state-of-the-art research issues in the field.

The main covered topics are: Main applications impacting QoS, Definition of QoS. Definition of heterogeneity. QoS-oriented technologies. Network control issues. QoS over Heterogeneous Networks. QoS Architectures, QoS Gateway, Relay Node and Relay Layer. Software Defined Networking (SDN), Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN). Protocols at application layer: DNS, DHCP, FTP, electronic mail, WWW and HTTP.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures integrated by possible laboratory trials.

Typically, the exam consists of a written test consisting of 3 questions of identical value followed by a brief oral comment on the written test.

During the covid emergency period, the written exam was replaced as follows:

1) The candidate submits a report of about 5-10 pages (including figures) on a specific scientific paper decided in agreement with the lecturer. The report must be provided in the form of a tutorial article and sent to the lecturer.

2) The candidate prepares a power point presentation, sends it to the lecturer, and, in 15 minutes, presents it. Additional 15 minutes are for questions and discussions on the subject of the report.

3) Another 30 minutes will be devoted to an oral test on a couple of topics chosen by the lecturer at the time of the exam.

Assessment: 50% of the final grade will depend on the first part of the exam (points 1) and 2)). 50% of the exam will depend on point 3). As regards the first part of the exam, the evaluation will be based on: analysis of the state of the art, scientific depth of the report, clarity of presentation / exposition. The second part of the exam is a common oral test.

Technical requirements: video camera fixed on the face plus video camera showing a sheet in which to write the answers to the oral questions (as done in class by the lecturer). The presentation of an identification document is mandatory during the exam. The exam will be done through the Teams platform.

Students with learning disorders will be allowed to use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the delegate of the Engineering courses in the Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Revision of the Transport Layer, DNS, DHCP, FTP, WWW and HTTP, Electronic Mail

Definition of QoS, SLA (Service Level Agreement) and SLS (Service Level Specification). 

Definition of heterogeneity.

QoS-oriented technologies: ATM, MPLS, IPv4, IPv6, user flow and traffic class identification.

Integrated Services, Differentiated Services and DSCP Assignation, advantages and drawbacks.

Network control issues versus time: Traffic Identification, Traffic Shaping, introduction to Scheduling, CAC (Feasibility Region, Equivalent Bandwidth, Bandwidth Reservation), QoS Routing. 

QoS over Heterogeneous Networks: concepts and problems, Horizontal and Vertical QoS Mapping,  QoS Architectures, QoS Gateway, Relay Node and Relay Layer. 

Software Defined Networking (SDN): introduction and aim, architecture, OpenFlow and Flow Table, conclusions and research activities.

Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN): introduction and aim, architecture, Bundle Layer, CLA, conclusions and research activities.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Mario Marchese , QoS Over Heterogeneous Networks , Wiley & Sons , Chichester , UK , 2007.

- Notes on specific topics issued by the lecturer.

- Extracts of international regulatory and scientific documentation provided by the lecturer.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIO MARCHESE (President)

ALDO GRATTAROLA

FABIO PATRONE

SANDRO ZAPPATORE

FRANCO DAVOLI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/10378/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Typically, the exam consists of a written test consisting of 3 questions of identical value followed by a brief oral comment on the written test. 

During the covid emergency period, the written exam was replaced as follows:

1) The candidate submits a report of about 5-10 pages (including figures) on a specific scientific paper decided in agreement with the lecturer. The report must be provided in the form of a tutorial article and sent to the lecturer.

2) The candidate prepares a power point presentation, sends it to the lecturer, and, in 15 minutes, presents it. Additional 15 minutes are for questions and discussions on the subject of the report.

3) Another 30 minutes will be devoted to an oral test on a couple of topics chosen by the lecturer at the time of the exam.

Assessment: 50% of the final grade will depend on the first part of the exam (points 1) and 2)). 50% of the exam will depend on point 3). As regards the first part of the exam, the evaluation will be based on: analysis of the state of the art, scientific depth of the report, clarity of presentation / exposition. The second part of the exam is a common oral test.

Technical requirements: video camera fixed on the face plus video camera showing a sheet in which to write the answers to the oral questions (as done in class by the lecturer). The presentation of an identification document is mandatory during the exam. The exam will be done through the Teams platform.

Students with learning disorders will be allowed to use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the delegate of the Engineering courses in the Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Typically, the exam consists of a written test consisting of 3 questions of identical value followed by a brief oral comment on the written test. The value of each question is 10 points.

During the covid emergency period, the written exam was replaced as follows:

1) The candidate submits a report of about 5-10 pages (including figures) on a specific scientific paper decided in agreement with the lecturer. The report must be provided in the form of a tutorial article and sent to the lecturer.

2) The candidate prepares a power point presentation, sends it to the lecturer, and, in 15 minutes, presents it. Additional 15 minutes are for questions and discussions on the subject of the report.

3) Another 30 minutes will be devoted to an oral test on a couple of topics chosen by the lecturer at the time of the exam.

Assessment: 50% of the final grade will depend on the first part of the exam (points 1) and 2)). 50% of the exam will depend on point 3) and each question out of two is valid for 7.5 point. As regards the first part of the exam, the evaluation will be based on: analysis of the state of the art, scientific depth of the report, clarity of presentation / exposition. The second part of the exam is a common oral test.

Technical requirements: video camera fixed on the face plus video camera showing a sheet in which to write the answers to the oral questions (as done in class by the lecturer). The presentation of an identification document is mandatory during the exam. The exam will be done through the Teams platform.

Exam schedule