CSC2066 Practical Assignment 2023 S. Scott-Hayward
CSC2066 Practical Assignment
1. Assignment Description
This assignment is designed to enable the student
to demonstrate the learning objectives of CSC2066 as outlined in the module
description (see Section 4 of this document).
Based on the material introduced in the module,
your assignment is to demonstrate client-server communication in Mininet based
on an SDN with a POX Controller, evaluate network latency and throughput in the
same network, and briefly discuss network security and resource usage with
respect to the SDN switch behaviour.
There are several requirements of the assignment,
as follows:
1. You will be given a network topology for this
assignment. You must create your Mininet network with the topology that you are
given.
2. You will be given a specific html file to use
for this assignment. You must demonstrate the client-server communication using
the html file that you are given.
The network topologies and html files will be
assigned when the assignment is released in Week 7.
Assignment Tasks:
1. Within Mininet, set up a simple http server on
one of your hosts. From another host, demonstrate the download of a copy of
your specified html file. You should use Wireshark to support your demonstration
and explanation.
2. Measure the latency and throughput between two
pairs of hosts (e.g., h1-h4 and h2-h5) on your network and demonstrate how
latency and throughput are impacted by link characteristics.
Hint: To demonstrate how latency and throughput are
impacted by link characteristics, you should change the characteristics of one
or more links in your network and repeat the latency and throughput
measurements.
3. Explore the switch flow tables in your network
and explain the impact of the flow rules with respect to network security and
network resource usage.
Hint: You should look at the switch flow tables and
explain the flow rules that are in the table. To explain the impact of the flow
rules with respect to network security and network resource usage, you might
also change the SDN Controller application, look at the switch flow tables and
explain the flow rules that are in the table.
This is an individual project assignment and
constitutes 50% of the module assessment. There are two assessed elements that
contribute to the mark for the practical assignment, as follows:
Individual assignment discussion In-Person 16 March
2023 10% during CSC2066 practical session
Element
Submission
Method
Submission
Deadline
Contribution
Video
Presentation/Demo Canvas
20 March 2023 @ 4pm 40% Total: 50%
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CSC2066 Practical Assignment 2023 S. Scott-Hayward
This assignment is released in Week 7 and the
submission deadline is in Week 11. You will be provided with a virtual machine
with the relevant software you require to complete the assignment. Each of the
required applications/tools will be introduced during the CSC2066 practicals.
It is expected that you will work on your assignment during the practical
sessions in Weeks 8-10 during which demonstrator support will be available.
2. Assignment Details
This section describes the requirements and
submission details for each of the assignment elements.
2.1. Individual assignment discussion
The purpose of the individual assignment discussion
is to demonstrate that you understand the requirements of the assignment
(including the network topology and html file that you must use) and that you
have familiarised yourself with the emulated network environment to be used in
the assignment.
You should sign up for one of the discussion
timeslots during the practical sessions. You can do this within Canvas – within
CSC2066 -> View Course Calendar -> Find Appointment -> Select
appointment on 02 or 09 March 2023.
You must have completed this assessment element by
16 March 2023.
2.2 Video presentation/demo
You should prepare a 10-minute (maximum – if you
submit more than 10 minutes, only the first 10 minutes of the video are marked)
video to demonstrate and present your Mininet network topology and your
assignment tasks listed in Section 1.
You should include a voiceover to explain how your
solution works and what it does. Your video should cover the following:
• Brief introduction and outline of the
presentation
• Explanation of your network topology including
the roles of specific hosts in your
demonstration
• Demonstration and discussion of the client-server
communication (Assignment Task 1)
• Demonstration and discussion of the latency and
throughput measurements and the results
(Assignment Task 2)
• Discussion of network security and resource usage
with respect to the SDN switch behaviour
in your network (Assignment Task 3)
There is no specific tool required to produce your
video. You can use your tool of choice. If you would like a recommendation,
some students prefer OBS Studio (https://obsproject.com/). Please make sure
that your video works in VLC before you upload it.
You should not worry about the production standard.
The most important element is how clearly your solution is explained and demonstrated.
Remember that the learning objective is to demonstrate your knowledge and
understanding.
Your video should be saved in MP4 format and
uploaded to Canvas by Friday, 20 March 2023 at 4pm.
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CSC2066 Practical Assignment 2023 S. Scott-Hayward
3. Assignment Marking
3.1. Individual assignment discussion
The individual assignment discussion will be marked
out of 100 and is worth 10%. This element is
linked to learning objectives 1 and 2 listed in
Section 4. The marks will be assigned
Demonstration of Mininet
Demonstration of Wireshark
Demonstration of POX
Explanation of Latency/Throughput measurement
techniques Approach to the assignment
3.2 Video presentation/demo
as follows:
20 20 20 20 20
Marks
The video presentation/demo will be marked out of 100 and is worth 40%.
This element is linked to learning objectives 1, 2 and 3 listed in Section 4.
The marks will be assigned as follows:
Introduction and outline of the presentation 10
Explanation of network topology including host roles 10
Demonstration/Discussion of client-server communication 30
Demonstration/Discussion of latency and throughput measurements 30 Discussion
of network security and resource usage 20
4. CSC2066 Learning Objectives related to Practical
Assignment
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
common Internet application protocols as well as client-server network
architectures.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
software-defined networks.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
security issues in networking and Internet
protocols.
5. Reference Marking Scheme
The undergraduate conceptual equivalents scale
applies to the assessed components of CSC2066. This can be found at this link: https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/AcademicStudentAffairs/AcademicAffairs/ExaminationsandAss
essment/MarkSchemesandClassifications/
Marks
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CSC7078 Project Assignment 2021 S. Scott-Hayward
Individual Assignment Discussion:
0-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-89 90-100
Demonstration Elements (Mininet/Wireshark/POX) [60%]
Unable to
demonstrate the required tool.
Basic but
limited demonstration of the required tool. Minimal understanding of basic
commands.
Good
demonstration of the required tool. Solid understanding of basic commands.
Very good
demonstration of the required tool. Evidence of detailed understanding of
commands.
Excellent
demonstration of the required tool. Evidence of wide use of learning resources.
Very
thorough demonstration of the required tool. Significant evidence of wide use
of learning resources.
Explanation
Element [20%]
No
understanding of the latency/throughput evaluation tools/techniques.
Identification of the latency/throughput evaluation tools, but vague
description of measurement approach.
Identification of the latency/throughput evaluation tools, and good
description of measurement approach.
Identification of the latency/throughput evaluation tools, and very good
description of measurement approach.
Identification of the latency/throughput
evaluation tools, and excellent description of measurement approach.
Identification of the latency/throughput evaluation tools, and very
thorough description of measurement approach.
Approach
[20%]
No plan for
completing the assignment. Unable to identify the assigned network topology and
html file.
Assignment
generally understood.
Able to identify the assigned network topology and
html file.
Assignment
clearly understood.
Good plan prepared to complete the assignment.
Able to identify the assigned network topology and
html file.
Assignment
very clearly understood. Very good plan prepared to complete the assignment.
Able to identify the assigned network topology and
html file.
Assignment
thoroughly understood. Excellent plan prepared to complete the assignment.
Able to identify the assigned network topology and
html file.
Assignment
thoroughly understood.
Very thorough plan prepared to complete the
assignment.
Able to identify the assigned network topology and
html file.
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CSC7078 Project Assignment 2021 S. Scott-Hayward
Video Demo/presentation:
0-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-89 90-100
Introduction/Outline [10%]
No
introduction or outline.
Basic
introduction/outline. Incoherent or missing elements.
Good introduction
and clear outline of the demonstration and discussion.
Very good
introduction and very clear outline of the demonstration and discussion.
Excellent
introduction with summary insights from the demonstration and discussion.
Excellent
and engaging introduction with summary insights from the demonstration and
discussion.
Network
Topology [10%]
No
explanation of the network topology. Host roles not identified.
Vague
explanation of the network topology. Some host roles identified.
Good
explanation of the network topology. Relevant host roles identified.
Very good
explanation of the network topology. All host and relevant switch roles
identified.
Excellent
explanation of the network topology. All network node roles described.
Insightful explanation of the network topology. All network node roles
described.
Client-Server Communication [30%]
No
demonstration of client-server communication.
No explanation of network communication.
Evidence of
partial client-server communication. Some explanation of network communication.
Generally
complete demonstration of client-server communication. Good explanation of
network communication.
Very good
demonstration of client-server communication.
Very good explanation of network communication.
Excellent demonstration of client-server
communication with insightful explanation of network communication.
Demonstration of client-server communication and explanation of network
communication well beyond that which could be reasonably expected.
Latency/Throughput Measurements [30%]
No
measurements undertaken.
Some
measurements undertaken. No adjustment to link characteristics. No or limited
analysis of the results.
Measurements undertaken including with adjustment to link
characteristics. Basic analysis of the results.
Detailed
measurements undertaken including with adjustment to link characteristics. Very
good analysis of the results.
Detailed
measurements undertaken including with adjustment to link characteristics.
Thorough and insightful analysis of the results.
Detailed
measurements undertaken including with adjustment to link characteristics.
Exceptional analysis of the results.
Network
Security/Resource Usage [20%]
Missing or
incoherent discussion.
Sometimes
unclear discussion; interpretation mostly missing.
Clear
discussion with some attempt at interpretation.
Very good
discussion with accurate interpretation.
Excellent
discussion, added-value material throughout. Evidence of wide use of learning
resources.
Exceptional discussion with exceptional added value. Significant
evidence of wide use of learning resources.
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