Future Network Architectures

In today's ever-evolving digital landscape, it is crucial for students to stay ahead of the curve by acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary to operate and design future data networks with aggregate capacities in the petabit/s region. By enrolling in our Future Data Network module, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles of network architecture design that are essential in achieving the necessary scale and efficiency of operation in data networks of the future.

This module offers a unique opportunity for students to explore the range of acceleration techniques required to inject and extract data at tomorrow's wire speeds. Furthermore, students will delve into the orchestration of resources and network reconfiguration in data centre networks and at the network edge. This will allow them to examine the use of these techniques in deploying virtual networks and network slices, a skill that is in high demand in the ICT industry

Upon successful completion of this micro-credential students will:

1. Understand the principles of data centre network design
2. Select an appropriate network topology for a data centre network, given its predicted load
3. Apply methods of packet acceleration to achieve wire speed on the fastest network interfaces
4. Partition networks in the control plane using layer 2 and layer 3 approaches
5. Select appropriate packet scheduling algorithms to support network slicing and traffic engineering
6. Specify techniques for intrusion detection and firewalling appropriate to future network architectures
7. Evaluate a range of new approaches to content delivery in future networks

A Primary Honours degree, Level 8 in Electronic/Electrical/Computer Engineering, Applied Physics, Computer Sciences or other Cognate/Engineering Disciplines. Applications are also invited from diverse educational and/or employment backgrounds, with applications evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

And also to indicate the required documentation:

• Please provide Academic Transcripts for final year of study where appropriate (English translation)
• All applicants must submit a copy of their passport

There is no availability for a deferred entry onto a micro-credential.

If applicable, evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.  Please see here.

For further information regarding the HCI learner subsidy eligibility criteria please click here. (https://hea.ie/skills-engagement/hci-pillar-3-micro-credentials-learner-fee-subsidy/).