Code

COMPM033 (Also taught as: COMPGZ02 Network Performance)

Year

4

Prerequisites

Term

1

Taught By

Damon Wischik (100%)

Aims

The aims of this course are to give an understanding of the factors that influence the performance of computer networks, and how congestion is controlled through routing and flow management. In addition, it provides an introduction to the methodologies used to measure and analyse the performance of communication systems.

Learning Outcomes

the ability to: develop models of communication systems; evaluate simple models using analytical tools; evaluate models and real systems using experimental techniques; create experimental schedules and analyse results; measure performance of communications software; select techniques suitable for the system being analysed; understand the design features of basic routing and congestion control protocols; predict likely performance of given routing and congestion control algorithms, given a scenario

Introduction and overview

Fundamentals

Random numbers
Markov chains and processes; discrete event simulation
Data mining and visualisation
Optimisation

Network Topology

Introduction to graph theory
Topology design
Random graph models
Google PageRank

Network flow

Flow, traffic matrix, route assignment
Shortest-path routing
Max-flow, min-cut
Wardrop equilibrium

Job models

Mice and elephants
Processor sharing, Erlang link, queueing models
Web server model
Telephony: Erlang network, fixed point model, alternative routing
Operational laws

Shared access networks

Examples; Aloha, Ethernet, Wifi
Throughput and transmission models
Signalling techniques

TCP

Windowed flow control
TCP's mechanism for congestion control
Throughput models and network models

Further case studies

P2P models
Distributed algorithms
Traffic shaping (CHOKe)

Lecture presentations with associated class problems.

The course has the following assessment components:

• Written Examination (2.5 hours, 85%)
• Coursework Section (1 piece, 8%)
• Compulsory_Assessed_Orals ( hours, 7%)

To pass this course, students must:

• Obtain an overall pass mark of 50% for all sections combined

The examination rubric is:
Answer any 3 questions out of 5. The questions carry equal marks.

Course web pages