ITK 477
Converged Network Architectures
Faculty:
Office:
Hours:
Phone:
Email:
Dr. Tibor Gyires
211 Old-Union Building
MW 10:00-12:00 p.m. or by appointment
Office 438-8017
tbgyires@ilstu.edu
Overview
Telecommunications convergence is the merger of traditional communications
systems with packet-switched networks. The resulting converged network is a packetswitched network that supports multimedia, voice, video, and data. Until the recent
explosion in the use of the Internet, voice, video, and data were transmitted on different
networks. The convergence of voice, video, and data is the integration of multimedia
services onto a single transmission medium. The course provides an overview of the
technical and management issues of the underlying communications technologies,
protocols, applications, regulations, and new business models of converged network
architectures. The course also covers next-generation network services and technologies,
such as voice over IP, signaling protocols, virtual private networks, audio and video
transmissions, multimedia collaboration, quality of service, security services, optical
networking, broadband access, and wireless communications. The course will be helpful
for system developers as well as telecommunications system designers to understand
network performance issues of the current technologies that support business
applications. Throughout the course, students will use advanced videoconferencing
systems, network analyzers, and simulation modeling tools to understand the structure
and operation of related communication protocols.
Prerequisite:
ITK-375
Student Goals
Upon successful completion of ITK 477 the students should be able to:



Adapt the terminology and concepts of the current and next-generation converged
network technologies.
Implement and manage multimedia transmission networks.
Design a converged network given technical requirements for a national or
international organization.
Required Textbook: Lillian Goleniewski, “Telecommunications Essentials,” Addison-Wesley,
2007, second edition, ISBN 0-321-42761-0
Optional Reading
Behrouz Forouzan, “Data Communications and Networking,” Fourth Edition
Bibliography References:
OPNET Modeler User’s Guide
Week
Topics
Reading Reading
1
Understanding the telecommunications revolution
Ch.1
2
Overview of telecommunications and data networking
technologies and transmission media
Ch. 2-9
Handouts,
Forouzan
3
Next-generation networks
Ch. 10
The broadband evolution
Multimedia networking requirements
Digital video, television standards, MPEG standards
The broadband infrastructure
IP and ATM
Ch. 10
Next-generation switching architecture
Multiservice networks
Quality of Service (ATM, Frame Relay, IntServ, RSVP, DiffServ,
RTP, RTCP, RTSP)
Policy-based management (COPS, DEN)
Next-generation network services
Ch. 11
Types of applications (elastic-non-elastic)
QoS parameters (packet loss, delay, jitter)
ATM Class of Services
Virtual Private Networks, (VPN)
VPN implementations
Security
Tunneling protocols
Firewall configuration
Packetizing of voice and video
Ch. 11
IP telephony, Voice over IP (VoIP)
Softswitches
Signaling protocols (H.323, SIP, Megaco, LDAP, IPS7,
e-Directory)
VOIP servers, open source systems, Asterisk
Soft phones (Ineen, X-lite, etc.)
Streaming media
4
5
6
2
7
Internet 2
Multicast, unicast transmissions
Handout
8
Videoconferencing systems
Access Grid
Handout
9
Optical Networking
Components of an end-to-end optical network
Optical-line amplifiers, add/drop multiplexers
WDM, DWDM
Optical switches
IP over DWDM
Managing optical networks
The global broadband market
Broadband deployment trends
Broadband Access Solutions
Twisted pair
xDSL, DSL trends
Video over DSL
Hybrid Fiber Coax
Cable modems, trends
Go2 Broadband
European standards
Fiber to the Curb/Switched Digital Video
Passive Optical Network
All fiber access, fiber to the home and business
Wireless broadband access media
Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS)
Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS)
Broadband wireless access standards IEEE 802.16 (Wi-Max,
Mobile-Fi, etc.)
Free space optics
Powerline telecommunications
Exam 2
Wireless Communications
Wireless justifications
Wireless network domains (global, national, regional, local area,
home area, personal area networks)
Spectrum, political issues, spectrum management
Performance considerations
Overview of multiple access techniques
Wireless WANs; cellular radio, PCS networks
Cellular and PCS standards
Mobile Internet
Ch. 12
Handouts
10
11
12
13
3
Ch. 13
Ch. 13
Ch. 13
Ch. 14
14
15
WAP, i-mode
Wireless MANs
Fixed and mobile wireless local loops using LMDS, MMDS, DBS, and
DirectTV Duo.
Wireless LANs and PANs
Broadband home and Home Area Networks (HANs)
Ch. 15
The smart house
Intelligent appliances
The HAN market, applications, and elements
Types of HANs
Student presentations
Overview
Important Dates
Last class day: May 3.
Evaluations:
Exams and quizzes
Projects, homeworks, and
seminar style discussions
Attendance and active participation
Semester long research project
(Please see the details on the T drive)
Final exam
(30%)
(25%)
(5%)
(25%)
(15%)

The exams may have an in-class and take-home part. The latter may have a topic to elaborate
in depth or a converged network related problem to solve at home individually. The final
exam will be comprehensive.

Seminar style discussions
During the semester you or your group will be asked to read a paper or papers, a section of a
book or other sources and lead or participate in the discussion of a certain topic during the
class.
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Grading Scale
A
B
C
D
F
90% - 100%
80% - 89%
70% - 79%
60% - 69%
0% - 59%
Details:

Test, reading and assignment dates will be announced in class.

Reading assignments are expected to be completed prior to lecture.

Quizzes may be unannounced.

A missed quiz or exam will result in a 0 grade unless you have received permission
from the instructor prior to the scheduled time.

Late homework will not be accepted for a grade.

Assignments turned in late will receive a 25% penalty for each school day late.

Consult the Schedule book for drop dates.
Do not hesitate to ask questions in class, after class, or during office hours. Questions are encouraged!
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