The course aims at applying the network architecture and interconnection principles in the telematics modules in order the students to be able to deploy a whole end-to-end system including all nodes and services required.

* Design and configure in a lab environment the addressing/routing mechanisms and internetworking protocols from link up to application layer to support the information exchange among all the elements in the telecommunication service supply chain (Competence TE2 -routing, signaling- and TE4 -description and validation of protocols and interfaces- from the Telematics Module)

* Design a infrastructure as to deliver required QoS levels and guarantee proper performance of deployed services (TE5 -enhancements of networks and services via technological- and TE6 -designg of architecture-)

* Empiricallly evaluate the obtained performance and propose posible enhancements/optimization mechanisms to face degradation conditions (TE3 -ability to compose services by using planning and analysis tools- ).

It is basically a lab course so most lab tasks are to be accomplished by student teams/groups following this structure::

1. Introduction to the simulated company networking and services requirements/problems.

2. HW and SW installation and maintenance.

3. Basic services and link level.

4. Isolated company network.

5. Interconnection.

6. Network management and modeling.

7. Advanced services and enhancement.

Students, organized into small groups, will have to face the design and deployment of the communications infrastructure (networking and services, as well as interconnection with other companies) of a fictitious company. This design should cover not only exclusively technical aspects, but also consider cost rationality and suitability for each company's casuistry.

It is, therefore, a methodology close to PBL (project-based learning), in which each group will establish, under the supervision of the teaching staff, the most appropriate projects for each company, and establish the limits of the development to be carried out.

As a prerequisite, it will be necessary to polish basic competences of administration of networks and servers on an individual basis, which will be useful in the subsequent deployment of the group models. In any case, trying to mimic a professional environment, students’ autonomous work will be encouraged, by means of the consultation of forums, manuals, tutorials and diverse computer resources, limiting the magisterial part of the course to a brief exposition of the problematic that is pursued to approach in each case.

In order to ensure feedback, there will be a follow-up of the activities, such as the definition of the "fictitious company" to be deployed, as well as two public presentations (an intermediate one, with a more academic focus and a final pitch aimed to business angels or prospective investors).

This is a 100% lab course, Project based.

Therefore, the initial server admin task will be individually evaluated but all the rest will be presented as group tasks (including task reports, public defenses, etc..)

Final mark will be the weighted sum of the partial ones following the distribution in this guide.

The students are entitled to dismiss the continuous evaluation and apply for a single final probe by carrying out the procedures (and according to the deadlines) in the official UPV/EHU BSC student rules.

Provided it is a project based course students' capability to face on their own the problems is particularly encouraged. Therefore, at the beginning of each lab some initial guidance will be provided but the groups will later search for information online.

Basic bibliography

Basic bibliography is associated with every single tool/software to be used for the deployment of the simulated company's network. In fact, the course itself demands students to be responsible for the research phases either via online browsing of by using manufacturers' handbooks/tutorials (even those available in previous courses).

In-depth bibliography

LIFS (various authors, available online www.tldp.org)
The Linux System Administrator's Guide (various authors available online www.tldp.org)
Linux Advanced Routing & Traffic Control (various authors, available online http://www.lartc.org/)

Journals

Being a mostly practical engineering lab no research journal is foreseen as useful.