Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/network-virtual
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, understanding Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is becoming increasingly crucial for systems engineers. I recently completed Coursera’s ‘Network Function Virtualization’ course, and it provided an exceptional deep dive into this transformative technology, especially from a systems engineering perspective.
The course begins by addressing the pervasive issue of middlebox proliferation in enterprise networks. It effectively highlights the necessity of virtualizing these components, much like we virtualize software applications, to streamline operations and enhance flexibility. This foundational understanding sets the stage for the more technical aspects that follow.
A significant portion of the course is dedicated to the intricacies of optimizing operating systems for efficient networking on virtualized hardware. This is where the course truly shines for systems engineers, as it delves into the practical considerations and techniques required to achieve high performance in virtualized environments. Furthermore, the syllabus meticulously details design decisions in user-plane libraries, focusing on methods to bypass the kernel for optimized packet processing – a critical element for high-throughput networking.
The syllabus is structured logically, starting with an **Introduction to Network Functions**. This module clearly explains the origin of network functions, the role of middleboxes, and the management challenges posed by their increasing numbers. It effectively bridges the gap between traditional networking and the shift towards virtualizing these functions as software services.
Next, the **Developing Virtual Network Functions** module offers an in-depth look at the practicalities of building VNFs, including performance considerations and emerging technologies that aid in their development. This is followed by **System Architecture for NFV Ecosystem**, which explores how cloud technologies and SDN can be leveraged to provision resources and orchestrate the deployment of multiple VNFs.
The course also touches upon **Deploying Virtualized Network Functions in Managed Cloud Infrastructures**, discussing offloading NFV workloads to managed clouds and other industry developments that make this approach viable. A valuable **Guest Lecture for an Industry Perspective** provides real-world insights.
Finally, the **Project** component is where theory meets practice. This hands-on project involves implementing a control plane for orchestrating network function chains. Participants learn to register and launch NF chains for multiple tenants on shared infrastructure, and importantly, how to scale these chains based on workload changes. The project utilizes Docker for the virtual infrastructure and the Ryu SDN controller for network programming, offering a robust learning experience.
Overall, Coursera’s ‘Network Function Virtualization’ course is a highly recommended resource for any systems engineer looking to grasp the fundamental concepts and practical applications of NFV. Its blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on projects provides a solid foundation for navigating the future of network infrastructure.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/network-virtual