Description
This subject tries to give a broad view and mainly focused in the business point of view of the broadband networks used by the telecommunications companies. This course gives a brief view of the actual IT market, it explains the different transmission networks, the terrestrial and the satellital, the commutation network with quality of service (QoS), the access network and the advanced services and market platforms. Finally it is explained the operators interconnection. All the chapters, especially the first and the last, are related to the annual report from the CMT.
Type Subject
Optativa
Semester
Second
Credits
5.00
Objectives

The graduates of our program get the knowledge to develop the following skills:

1. Basic knowledge on the subject.
2. Capacity for analysis and synthesis of the learned knowledge in the networking area.
3. Identify, analyse and methodologically troubleshoot problems in data networks.
4. Ability to work in a team using networking tools
5. Ability to work in a remote framework

Contents

The subject is divided in three semesters and the contents included are the following:
1.- Telecommunications market
1.1.- Regulation
1.2.- Telecommunication operators
1.3.- National telecommunication operators
1.4.- The telecommunications industry
1.5.- Future scenario and technologic tendencies

2.- Transmission
2.1.- Terrestrial transmission
2.2.- Satellital communications

3.- Commutation
3.1.- Introduction to the multiservice networks
3.2.- Quality de service over IP
3.3.- Network access servers
3.4.- Integrated services over IP

4.- Access network
4.1.- Introduction
4.2.- xDSL
4.3.- WLL
4.4.- FFC/GbE - Cable
4.5.- PowerLine

5.- Advanced services and market platforms
5.1.- Introduction
5.2.- Advanced services
5.3.- Market platforms

6.- Interconnection of operators
6.1.- Introduction
6.2.- Analysis of the interconnection services
6.3.- Accesses and services of the broadband wholesale operators

Methodology

Two methodologies are applied depending on the student profile selected in the registering procedure: `presential´ and `semipresential´. The main difference between the two methodologies is the presence or not of the student in the classrooms.
In the `presential´ methodology the theoretical framework is done through lectures in the classroom. In these lectures the theoretical contents are taught during the course. In these classes discussions are promoted about concrete themes and the problems proposed during the course are solved. Also new exercises are suggested to the students and they can resolve them out of the class time. The main goal of these exercises is to reinforce the theoretical concepts in order to apply them in practice. These exercises are partially or totally solved in posterior classes, so the students can check their improvement.
In the `semipresential´ methodology, the student takes a more active role in its own learning process, using the `Virtual Campus´ and all the learning material that it includes: the study guide with all the main concepts of the subject, the bibliographic references where the student can extend these concepts, the exercises to be solved and some quizzes where the student can evaluate his knowledge about the subject. In this format, there are also three presential meetings, where students and teacher meet in order to solve problems, questions and do some discussions.
The resolution of the student questions is performed by different ways: during the class time, during the tuition time, by email or by forums in the course space in the virtual campus.

Evaluation

The course evaluation is performed with the following methods:

A. Exams
D. Homework
J. Classroom participation

There is an exam composed of two problems. This exam lets the teacher evaluate the written communication and the capacity for analysis and synthesis of the learned knowledge in the networking area. Also the knowledge on the subject and the capacity to apply the knowledge to the proposed exercises are evaluated. The grades are rounded up depending on class participation.
In the semipresential methodology, the participation is measured by the contributions to the forums, in the meetings using the virtual classroom and the participation in the laboratory. Also, following the study guide, the student must answer several questions at the end of each session, in order to know an evaluation of its comprehension, and do some problems that are disposed on the virtual campus.
If the exam is passed there´s the possibility of upgrade in two point the final course grade by the making of a written work.

Evaluation Criteria

- Objective 1: Basic knowledge on the subject. [A, D, J]
- Objective 2: The student should demonstrate ability to develop the synthesis and analysis capacities of the learned knowledge in the networking area [A, J]
- Objective 3: The student should demonstrate ability to identify, analyse and methodologically troubleshoot data networks [A, D, J]
- Objective 4: The student should demonstrate ability working in a team using networking tools [J]
- Objective 5: The student should demonstrate ability to work in a remote framework [J]

Basic Bibliography

- Apunts de Xarxes de Banda Ampla, Enginyeria i Arquitectura La Salle
- `Guia d´estudi de Xarxes de Banda Ampla´, A. Vallejo, Enginyeria i Arquitectura La Salle, 2004.

Additional Material

- Grupo de Regulación de las Telecomunicaciones del COIT, Convergencia, competencia y regulación en los mercados de las telecomunicaciones, el audiovisual e internet, Colegio Oficial y la Asociación Española de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación (COIT/AEIT), 2000
- Ohrtman, F.; Softswitch, McGraw-Hill, 2003
- Ramaswami, R. and Sivarajan; Optical Networks, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2002