Data Center Networks (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

Purpose of the course
You learn the structure of data center networks, protocols and their design principles. You learn to search for information from industry standards and manuals in order to solve information network problems in data centers.

EUR-ACE: Knowledge and understanding 
EUR-ACE: Engineering practice 
EUR-ACE: Investigations and information retrieval 

Competence goal of the course
You know the protocols and principles of data transfer in data centers. You know the technologies and protocols used in data centers, and know how to configure them. You can design a data center network using switches and servers. You know how to search for information on industry standards and equipment manufacturers' manuals to solve problems in data centers. You know how data centers are connected to LANs and other data centers using the backbone network.

Content

There are several technologies used in data center networks and their development is continuous. The implementation of the study course describes its current, essential technologies. This list described in the course description is indicative:
- Knowing the communication profile of data centers (East-West & North-South paradigms)
- Scalable data center topologies (Top of Rack switch, Data Center Fabric, Leaf and Spine)
- Fault-tolerant switching network technologies (LACP, LAG)
- Distributed data center protection firewall technologies (HA-FW)
- Server hard disk networks (SAN solutions)
- Network technologies (overlay networks) enabling the migration and fault tolerance of the data center virtualization layer

Materials

Materials in the e-learning environment.

Teaching methods

- lectures
- independent study
- webinars
- small group learning
- exercises
- learning tasks
- seminars

Employer connections

If possible
- visiting lecturers
- projects

Exam schedules

The possible date and method of the exam will be announced in the course opening.

Completion alternatives

The admission procedures are described in the degree rule and the study guide. The teacher of the course will give you more information on possible specific course practices.

Student workload

One credit (1 Cr) corresponds to an average of 27 hours of work.

- lectures 52 h
- exercises 15 h
- assignment 35 h
- independent study 30 h
- company visits 3 h
Total 135 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient 1: The student must master the theory of data center networks and identify some sections of existing data center networks. The student can solve simple problems in data center networks. The student knows how to plan and implement parts of a small data center network based on the requirement definition.

Satisfactory 2: The student satisfactorily masters the theory of data center networks and identifies sections of existing data center networks. The student can solve simple problems in data center networks. The student knows how to plan and implement parts of a small data center network based on the requirement definition.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3: The student has a good command of the theory of data center networks and recognizes sections of existing data center networks. The student can solve problems with data center networks. The student knows how to plan and implement parts of a data center network based on requirements definition.

Very good 4: The student has a commendable command of the theory of data center networks and recognizes sections of existing data center networks. The student can solve problems with data center networks. The student knows how to plan and implement parts of a data center network based on requirements definition.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5: The student has an excellent command of the theory of data center networks and comprehensively identifies sections of existing data center networks. The student knows how to solve complex problems with data center networks. The student knows how to design and implement a scalable data center network based on requirements definition.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student necessarily masters the theory of data center networks and recognizes some sections of existing data center networks. The student can solve problems with data center networks. The student knows how to plan and implement parts of a small data center network based on the requirement definition.