INFO0941-1

Durée

20h Th, 60h Proj.

Nombre de crédits

	Master : ingénieur civil en informatique, à finalité	5 crédits
	Master en sciences informatiques, à finalité	5 crédits

Enseignant

Benoît Donnet

Langue(s) de l'unité d'enseignement

Langue anglaise

Organisation et évaluation

Enseignement au deuxième quadrimestre

Unités d'enseignement prérequises et corequises

Les unités prérequises ou corequises sont présentées au sein de chaque programme

Contenus de l'unité d'enseignement

Internet measurement is a relatively new field, but is playing a key-role in providing crucial, fundamental knowledge about Internet infrastructure (e.g., topologies, routing, etc.), traffic, and performance (e.g., loss, delay, bandwidth, etc.). This course will discuss

the design requirement and challenges in measuring and modeling the Internet.
the existing measurement methodologies (how/where/when to measure).
the latest measurement results.

We will also explore how Internet measurements enable the design and enhancement of a large set of applications, among others: optimizing peer-to-peer file-sharing system, capacity planning and traffic engineering, network management and trouble-shooting, detecting network abuse and intrusions, etc.
We will study the fundamental algorithmic principles related to these topics, address the limits of algorithmic practicability, and discuss when heuristics should be employed. The course is made of a few theoretical lessons given by the teacher, of talks given by students and seminars given by external people.
The structure of the course is as follows:
Administrative Details
Introduction
Part 1: Data Analysis

Chapter 1: Mathematics for Measurements
Chapter 2: Graph Plotting

Part 2: Active Measurements

Chapter 1: Ping
Chapter 2: Traceroute
Chapter 3: MPLS
Chapter 4: Middleboxes

Part 3: Passive Measurements

Chapter 1: Passive Measuement Tools
Chapter 2: Autonomous Systems: Introduction and Topology

Acquis d'apprentissage (objectifs d'apprentissage) de l'unité d'enseignement

The course purpose is to expose students the state of the art regarding Internet measurements. In this course, students will see

different statistical tools for analyzing and modeling network measurements
techniques for measuring the network (passive vs. active).
several use cases of network measurements (MPLS, middleboxes, autonomous system modeling and topology)

Further, the course is also an introduction to scientific research. Therefore, through scientific papers readings and reviews, students will learn to formulate/define a research problem, to synthesize ideas.
Finally, students, through a data analysis project, will learn to understand/interpret measurement results.

Savoirs et compétences prérequis

The course INFO0031 (Computer Network Architectures and Multimedia) is a prerequisite.

Activités d'apprentissage prévues et méthodes d'enseignement

The course is not only theoretical. Students are supposed to actively participate during lessons.
Exercices will be done during lessons or in labs. In addition, students will also have the opportunity to apply techniques learned in several assignments.

Mode d'enseignement (présentiel ; enseignement à distance)

The course is given during the second semester.
Slides are available on the course web page.
The course is given in English.

Lectures recommandées ou obligatoires et notes de cours

Lessons and topics tackled during the semester are (mostly) based on the following book:

M. Crovella, B. Krishanmurthy. "Internet Measurement: Infrastructure, Traffic, and Applications". Wiley Ed. 2006

Buying this book is not mandatory. However, it might be interesting to supplement lessons with the reading of several chapters of this book.

Modalités d'évaluation et critères

Students will be graded only through various assignments. The grades will be assigned as follows:

Assignment 1: a lab report on data representation. Students are expected to provide Python code and the resultting plot(s).
Assignment 2: paper readings and presentation. 50% of the final grade.
Assignment 3: data analysis. 40% of the final grade.

Assignment 1 is done individually, while Assignement 2 and 3 are done by teams of 2 students.
If required, a student will be able to improve his grade by presenting an optional oral exam. This exam will consist of a discussion about topics tackled during the course, as well as a discussion about the student's assignments.
In case of failure in June, the student will be able to present, in August/September, an oral exam. This exam will consist of a discussion about topics tackled during the course, as well as a discussion about the student's assignments.

Stage(s)

None

Remarques organisationnelles

The course is given during the 2nd semester

Contacts

Professor: Benoit Donnet (email(benoit.donnet@ulg.ac.be) -- Office 1.15 (B28) )
TA: Yves Vanaubel (email(yves.vanaubel@run.montefiore.ulg.ac.be) -- Office R.85a (B28))

Notes en ligne

Course Web Site
The course Web site is of the highest importance as it covers slides (PDF), assignments subjects, and contact information

Network measurement and monitoring