Course Overview
This is a graduate-level course that covers advanced topics in data center networking systems. It explores the intersection of computer networking, computer systems, and computer architecture, emphasizing how these traditionally separate domains interact to support large-scale, high-performance communication infrastructures in modern data centers.
The objectives of this course are:
- To understand state-of-the-art network protocols, modern network hardware, and large-scale communication systems.
- Critically evaluate networking research papers and articulate well-informed perspectives and insights.
- Identify research problems in data-center communication protocols, systems stacks, and network hardware, and explore them through a semester-long project.
The course is structured around lectures by the instructor and paper readings/presentations by the students with open discussion. Students will form a project group (1-3 students) and conduct a research project on networked systems.
Reference books
- Computer Networks: Systems Approach (available online) by Larry Peterson and Bruce Davie
Topics
- Software Network Stacks (e.g., kernel-bypass networking)
- Network Protocols and Transports (e.g., RDMA)
- Programmable Network Devices (e.g., SmartNICs, Switches)
- Interconnect technologies (e.g., PCIe, CXL, GPULinks)
- Application-defined networking (e.g., ML, Mircoservices)
Prerequisites
- No fixed prerequisites.
- Recommend knowledge of architecture/systems (e.g., ECE 4750/CS 4410), and/or knowledge of networks (CS 4450/ECE 4450).
- C and Python programming experience
- Course number: ECE 6960
- Time: Monday & Wednesday 2:55-4:10 pm
- Location: Gates Hall 114
- Class Q&A: ED Discussion
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Assignment/Report/Paper Response Submission: Canvas
- Instructor Jiaxin Lin
- Email: jiaxinl@cornell.edu
- Office hours: Mon 4:30pm - 5:30pm
- Office: Rhodes 319