Building on top of operating system virtualization techniques, and the ubiquity of communication networks, cloud computing has become an enabling technology to deliver elastic and scalable computing to users at a low cost. There are a number of popular cloud platforms such as Amazon EC2, Microsoft Azure, Google’s App Engine etc. Cloud Computing also depends on large scale data centers. The proper design of the data center’s networking infrastructure is also important for the success of Cloud Computing. This course introduces recent trends and challenges of cloud computing and data center networks. In particular, topics include virtualization, hypervisors, containers, cloud resource management, data center networking and cloud networking. We will discuss OpenStack, an open source software environment for creating cloud platforms. Also covered will be special topics such as replication, disaster recovery for cloud data centers and virtual private clouds.
We will have a course project. Students will select from a list of research topics on cloud computing and data center networking, perform independent literature survey, propose solutions, and conduct preliminary analysis. Depending on enrollment, we will either have projects for each individual student or students would encouraged to team up, with another student so that there is a maximum of two members. The project report will be a report in IEEE or ACM double-column conference format of 5 pages (not including references).
Students are expected to participate in in-class discussions along with the Lecture, during which we introduce and discuss recent major advancements in cloud computing and networking for cloud data centers. Participating in the discussions, based on outside research reading will enhance students’ understanding of course materials.
Here at UCR we are committed to upholding and promoting the values of the Tartan Soul: Integrity, Accountability, Excellence, and Respect. As a student in this class, it is your responsibility to act in accordance with these values by completing all assignments in the manner described, and by informing the instructor of suspected acts of academic misconduct by your peers. By doing so, you will not only affirm your own integrity, but also the integrity of the intellectual work of this University, and the degree which it represents. Should you choose to commit academic misconduct in this class, you will be held accountable according to the policies set forth by the University, and will incur appropriate consequences both in this class and from Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Programs. For more information regarding University policy and its enforcement, please visit: http://conduct.ucr.edu.
You are expected to attend all lectures.