CE709-7-SP-CO:
Programmable Networks and Services

The details
2026/27
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 18 January 2027
Thursday 25 March 2027
15
18 February 2026

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MSC H64112 5G and Emerging Communication Systems,
MSC GH64N1 Computer Systems Engineering

Module description

Cloud-native systems are emerging as programmable and connected applications, designed and developed intrinsically to operate as cloud environments. They are: deployed as virtual and containerised environments; increasingly connected by softwarized networks that can be dynamically (re)configured to adapt to system change; and automatically managed by cloud orchestration platforms, such as Kubernetes and OpenStack to maintain their reliable and healthy operation.


This module will begin with the definition and description of converged networks and services and identify current and emerging cloud services and network architectures. The introduction will also include an overview of the key next-generation network architectures that are being deployed today. The course will dive into programable and virtualized networks, as key enablers in connecting the cloud-native systems. To this end, the course will introduce principles of software-defined networking and network function virtualization. It will then introduce principles of service cloudification and networking, including service mesh.


In order to understand the design of any network, it is important to understand the service characteristics in terms of customer usage patterns and traffic behaviour; these fundamentally determine the desired Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and ultimately the network and service architectures. Ensuring satisfactory user experience for multiple services will be addressed in detail by means of various Quality-of-Service (QoS) mechanisms.


Last but not least, cloud-native systems are composed of multiple interconnected virtual components, continually increasing in number and complexity. Practical deployment and maintenance of such systems require dedicated cloud orchestration and management platforms. The module will conclude by introducing principles of cloud orchestration, focusing on example orchestration platforms: OpenStack for orchestrating Virtual Manchines (VMs) and Kubernetes for orchestrating containers and their scheduling methods, along with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and their application in these platforms.


The content of this module is relevant to IP Networking Principles covered in CE707. If CE707 is an option in your course structure then we strongly recommend choosing this option to take in conjunction with CE709.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:



  • To develop students' understanding of cloud-native programmable systems, including networks and services. This includes understanding of:

    • Software defined networking: defined by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) and some of the differences from example telecommunication vendors.

    • Network Function Virtualisation (NFV): overseen by ETSI and shaped by the telecommunication industry.

    • Cloud Computing: Virtualisation Technologies.

    • Orchestration and Management Platforms and APIs.

    • Over the Top (OTT) services: Video, Voice, Data and principles of Quality of Service (QoS).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Analyse and evaluate architectures for a programmable network and cloudified services.

  2. Define a cloud-network specification for cloud-native services.

  3. Critically assess the architectures of cloud orchestration and network management platforms.

  4. Define specifications for programmable networks and cloud virtualisation technologies (e.g. containerisation).

  5. Develop methods of implementing QoS strategies and service management.

Module information

Outline Syllabus



  • Programmable network architectures, requirements and definitions, issues and options for deployment, next generation network technologies.

  • Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) and cloud virtualisation technologies.

  • Taxonomy of services, VoD, IPTV, web services, P2P, streaming media.

  • Cloud orchestration and management: Kubernetes and OpenStack as examples.

  • Cloud deployment scheduling and connectivity using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Lectures and coursework

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Progress Test (In person, MCQ Moodle Test, Closed Book)    25% 
Coursework   Written Assignment – Design of Cloudified and Networked Services     75% 
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Early Exams 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
40% 60%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
40% 60%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Mays Al-Naday, email: mfhaln@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Mays Al-Naday
School Office, e-mail csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770.

 

Availability
No
No
Yes

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 21 hours, 20 (95.2%) hours available to students:
1 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)

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