CS 410 Top: Network Routing and Management

Credit Hours:	4
Course Coordinator:	N/A
Course Description:	This classes focuses on the theory and practice of running a modern network including Layer 3 routing protocols and Layer 2 switching protocols, including network management protocols. We will study modern packet-based routing protocols as used in the Internet including interior gateway protocols (IGPs) like RIPv1, RIPv2, OSPF, and exterior gateway protocols (EGPs) like BGP. We will also focus on routing theory and some state of the art routing protocols including multicast, and wireless mobility. Network management will cover Layer 2 Ethernet switching including spanning-trees, VLAN management. In addition we look at network design issues, and network management via SNMP.
Prerequisites:	CS 494
Goals:	Upon the successful completion of this course students will be able to: Explain the fundamental concepts of unicast routing theory. Explain the fundamental concepts of multicast routing theory including protocols like DVMPR, and PIM. Explain how routing protocols can be made less insecure. Compare and contrast RIPv2, OSPF, BGP. Explain how the SNMP protocol is constructed in terms of Tag Length Value theory (ASN.1). Explain the security concepts behind SNMPv3. Describe the function of various network management tools. Describe the function of SNMP (simple network management protocol) MIBs (variable sets). Analyze the limitations and defects of modern network management tools. Describe the architectural ideas behind various Ethernet design techniques including Virtual Lans and the 802.1d Spanning Tree Protocol. Participate in a team that implements routing designs on real routers. Design a network based on Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing.
Textbooks:	Routing in the Internet. Christian Huitema. Prentice Hall. 1999. ISBN: 0-13-022647-5 2nd edition. SNMP, SNMPv3, and RMON 1 and 2: Practical Network Management, Third Edition. William Stallings, Addison Wesley. 1998. ISBN 0-201-48534-6
References:	None.
Major Topics:	Architecture of a Router Routing Theory RIP routing protocol. OSPF routing protocol. BGP routing protocol. Mobile routing protocols. Multicast routing protocols. Network design. Ethernet switches and their associated protocols. Network Management Tools. The SNMP Protocol, including V1, V2, V3, and RMON. Security practices for network infrastructure.
Laboratory Exercises:	There are a number of netlab projects with routers and switches. Students do the projects in small teams. Thus team communication is important. For example, Design a network with static and dynamic routing using RIPv2 with a set of routers. Demonstrate convergence. Detup OSPF and BGP with a set of routers. Setup a switch-based Ethernet network using VLANs and spanning-trees.

CAC Category Credits	Core	Advanced
Data Structures		0.5
Algorithms		1.0
Software Design
Computer Architecture		2.0
Programming Languages

Oral and Written Communications:	Reports are turned in for all of the demonstration projects.
Social and Ethical Issues:	None.
Theoretical Content:	Routing is a hard distributed problem and routing protocols have their own sets of theories some of which have proved successful and some of which have failed to be adopted. Theory includes fundamental theory (3 hours), OSPF and BGP (12 hours) and network design (3 hours).
Problem Analysis:	Students analyze the protocol theory for the various projects to compare and contrast them. They also analyze why various approaches may lead to more successful routing theories.
Solution Design:	Students participate in at least 3 (4 are possible) design experiments intended to install understanding in terms of modern switch and router protocol setup.