Aleksandra Smiljanić   
Srpski (Serbian) English (Engleski)

 

 
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Architecture of Switches and Routers

This course examines Internet router architectures, their performance and implementations, and possibilities for design improvements. Firstly, the Internet router role in the network is reviewed. Secondly, the router components, their functions and interconnection are studied. The components include router processor, line cards, memories, switching fabric, scheduler, and busses. Architectures of routers manufactured by major vendors like Cisco, Juniper and Huawei and their performances are presented. In particular, the architectures of routers with output buffers, routers with shared buffers, routers with input buffers, routers with toroidal fabric, Birkhoff-von-Neumann routers and Clos routers based on load balancing are examined. Also, we will present sofware routers based on open-source software suites such as Quagga, Bird, and Xorp, which can be substitutes for commercial routers.

Provide students with the understanding of Internet router architecture which is a necessary condition for understanding the Internet. Provide general knowledge about functioning of the Internet. Introduce students to the research and development in the area of Internet routers, and unresolved issues. Help to the professionals who install and maintain networks to have more profound understanding of the equipment that they are working with. Instruct students to use open-source software routers.

Course is graded through a project. Functionalities of the selected open-source routers are tested and evaluated. The written report and the public presentation of the project are graded.  Each carries 50% of the grade. Three students are working toghether on a team.