ENTS 689L

Fall 2007

Packet Processing and Switching
Schedule/Location

          Time: Mon 6:30pm-9:15pm
              Room: CSS 2428
Instructor

                Vahid Tabatabaee
                Office: Eng. Annex Building 0201A
                Phone: (301) 405-7902
                Email: vahidt at umd dot edu
Office hours

          Monday 5:30 pm-6:30pm, or by appointment
Main References:

 A. Leon-Garcia, I. Widjaja, “Communication Networks: Fundamentals,   Concepts and Key Architectures.” 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill.

P. C. Lekkas, “Network Processors Architectures, Protocols, and Platforms”,
McGraw-Hill 

 Grading System:
          
Midterm exam 40%  (October 29 in class)

Final exam 60%

Course Objective:    

The goal of this course is to understand functionality, architecture and main components of a switching/routing system.

We study three main elements of a switching system:
(1) Network Processor (NP), (2) Traffic Manager (TM) and (3) Switch Fabric (SF).
We discuss important operations that need to happen in real time at wire speed in a
switching/routing system.
We review and compare some of the leading commercial products that are available in the market.
Finally, we see how we can put everything together to design a system.

   Topics and Slides:
        Here is a potential list of topics: syllabus

        Introduction                                                          9-10-07

        Networking Technologies                                  9-17-07

        Router Anatomy                                                  9-17-07

        Commercial Network Processors                     10-01-07

        Content Addressable Memories                        10-08-07

        Classification                                                       10-15-07

        Tutorial Paper on Classification                         10-17-07

        Sample Problems                                                10-17-07

        Network Layer Security (Dr. Kalantari)              11-19-07

        Switch Fabric Basics                                           11-19-07

       Switch Fabric Architectures I                               11-19-07

       Switch Fabric Architectures II                              11-19-07

       Traffic Manager                                                     12-03-07

Academic Integrity

The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit http://www.shc.umd.edu.

To further exhibit your commitment to academic integrity, remember to sign the Honor Pledge on all examinations and assignments: "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination (assignment)."