Cybersecurity

FRANCESCA CUOMO
MARCO POLVERINI

Educational goals

The Network Infrastructures course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the main architectures, technologies, and protocols underlying modern network infrastructures. The course covers wired and wireless access networks, optical transport networks, advanced networking technologies, and the main intra- and inter-domain routing protocols. Special attention is also devoted to practical aspects related to the configuration and management of IP networks, through hands-on activities based on network emulation tools such as Kathara. At the end of the course, students will be able to understand, analyze, and configure realistic network infrastructures, assessing their performance, scalability, and security requirements.

Knowledge and understanding

Students will acquire in-depth knowledge of the main network architectures and technologies used in modern telecommunication infrastructures. In particular, they will be able to understand the operation of broadband access networks, optical transport networks, next-generation wireless technologies, MPLS and BGP protocols, as well as the main routing and network security mechanisms.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the design, configuration, and analysis of IP networks. The hands-on activities will allow them to configure realistic network scenarios, addressing topics such as IP addressing, routing, DNS, VPNs, and firewalling. These activities will enable students to connect the theoretical aspects of the course with operational issues typical of network infrastructures.

Making judgements

Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate different technological solutions for network infrastructures, comparing them in terms of performance, scalability, reliability, and security. They will also be able to select the most appropriate solutions according to the application requirements and the considered operational context.

Communication skills

Students will be able to clearly describe and discuss the main network technologies and architectures, using appropriate technical terminology. They will also be able to present the design and configuration choices adopted in practical scenarios, explaining them with respect to network requirements and application objectives.

Learning skills

The course will provide students with the methodological foundations needed to keep up with the continuous evolution of network technologies and to independently study new protocols, standards, and infrastructure solutions. The theoretical and practical skills acquired will provide a solid basis for further studies and professional activities in the field of telecommunication networks.

At the end of the course, students will have gained in-depth knowledge of key network technologies and infrastructures, with particular focus on:

-next-generation wired and wireless access networks, including xDSL, FTTX, PON, LTE, LTE-A and 5G technologies;
- optical networks and related transport and control architectures (WDM networks, and Optical Transport Network);
- advanced transport and inter-domain routing solutions such as MPLS and BGP.

Moreover, students will be able to design, configure, and analyze IP networks and related protocols through hands-on exercises using the Kathara network emulator. Practical activities covering IP addressing, routing, DNS, VPNs, and firewalls will enable students to apply their acquired knowledge to realistic and innovative network infrastructure scenarios.

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
• 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]
• Inter-domain routing and Border Gateway Protocol (QoS) [5 hours]
• BGP Security [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]

Slides and scientific papers available at the Course web site and on the Moodle platform

Slides and scietific papers available at the Course web site and on the Moodle platform

Theoretical lessons and practical lab activities

optional

The exam consists of two parts:
PART 1) a practical test using Kathara (performed on a PC, worth up to 20 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 12 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.

Describe the MPLS technology

• Access Networks
  • Books: teaching material provided by the teacher


• Transport Networks
  • Books: teaching material provided by the teacher


• Networking lab
  • Books: teaching material provided by the teacher