Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

FRANCESCA CUOMO
MARCO POLVERINI

General Objectives
The "Network Infrastructures" course provides an in-depth overview of the main architectures, protocols, and technologies of modern network infrastructures, with a particular focus on broadband access networks, optical transport networks, and next-generation wireless solutions. Students will gain a detailed understanding of the fundamental technologies and protocols for configuring and managing telecommunications networks, covering both theoretical and practical aspects. The course includes hands-on exercises on network configurations using advanced simulation tools, developing essential operational skills in the telecommunications sector. Additionally, key network security solutions and Quality of Service (QoS) support mechanisms will be analyzed, preparing students to understand and address emerging challenges in network infrastructures.

Specific Objectives
Knowledge and understanding: Students will acquire a deep understanding of network architectures, access technologies (xDSL, PON, LTE, 5G), transport protocols (OTN, MPLS), and routing mechanisms.

Applying knowledge and understanding: Students will be able to configure, analyze, and troubleshoot IP networks using simulation tools such as Kathara.

Autonomy of judgment: Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate different network technologies and select optimal solutions based on security, performance, and scalability requirements.

Communication skills: Students will be able to present network technology concepts clearly in both technical and general contexts.

Learning skills: The course will provide methodological foundations to keep up with the continuous evolution of network technologies and independently explore new solutions and emerging standards in the telecommunications sector.

The "Network Infrastructures" course provides an in-depth overview of the main architectures, protocols, and technologies of modern network infrastructures, with a particular focus on broadband access networks, optical transport networks, and next-generation wireless solutions. Students will gain a detailed understanding of the fundamental technologies and protocols for configuring and managing telecommunications networks, covering both theoretical and practical aspects. The course includes hands-on exercises on network configurations using advanced simulation tools (e.g. Katharà), developing essential operational skills in the telecommunications sector. Additionally, key network security solutions and Quality of Service (QoS) support mechanisms will be analyzed, preparing students to understand and address emerging challenges in network infrastructures.

Basic understanding of Computer Networking (including IP/TCP suite) and of Telecommunications (digital data transmission).

Introduction to network infrastructures
• Introduction to network architectures, description of functional areas [2h].
• Presentation of different wired and wireless, terrestrial and non-terrestrial access methodologies [2h].

Access Networks: Wired and Wireless
Broadband copper access networks [3 hours]
ADSL and VDSL technologies and networking solutions [5 hours]
Fiber-based access: FTTX, Passive Optical Networks (PON) and evolutions [3 hours]
Multihop wireless networks, 3G and 4G [2 hours]
Non terrestrial networks [2h]
The Wi-xx family [2 hours]
4G systems: LTE and LTE-Advanced [5 hours]
5G evolution [1 hour]


Network Transport and Control (25 hours)
Introduction to optical networks [5 hours]
Optical Transport Network (OTN) [2 hours]
Management and control of WDM networks [5 hours]
Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) [5 hours]
Architectures supporting Quality of Service (QoS) [5 hours]
Inter-domain routing and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) [3 hours]


Laboratory Sessions with Kathara (network configuration exercises)
IP addressing [2 hours]
IP routing [2 hours]
DNS configuration [2 hours]
VPN configuration [2 hours]
Firewall configuration [2 hours]

Lecture slides, book chapters and scientific papers available on Moodle https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=11878
The link is accessible and updated in:
https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/it/users/francescacuomouniroma1it

Lucidi del corso, video lezioni e testi ed artcoli disponibili su Moodle https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=11878
Il link viene aggiornato da:
https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/it/users/francescacuomouniroma1it

Face by face lectures with slides and network configuration software.

Attendance of the part dedicated to laboratory exercises is encouraged

The exam consists of two parts:
PART 1) a practical test using Kathara’ (performed on a PC, worth up to 22 points), aimed at assessing the student's ability to correctly configure network devices;
PART 2) a theoretical test (2 open-ended questions, worth up to 10 points), designed to evaluate the understanding of theoretical aspects covered during the course.
During the semester, the practical skills with Kathara’ are developed and assessed through homework assignments.

During the semester, two in-progress evaluations will also be held as tests that give the right to bonus points.

Homework and any bonus points taken during the course will be spendable only in the January/February exam sessions.

Starting from March, the exam will be held by doing PART 1) and PART 2) during the exam time.

A practical configuration of a network on Kathara'.
An open question like (gives 5 points):
Describe how it works and the resulting benefits of the Discrete Multitone (DMT) modulation in the ADSL