This project-based course covers issues in high-performance communication, ranging from architecture and devices, to interconnection networks, network interfaces and network processors, protocols and standards, middleware support and driving applications from the scientific and enterprise domain, and evaluation tools. The course contains a significant laboratory component based on the Intel IXP2400 network processors, which includes some warm-up exercises and a class project. Alternative equipment bases are also permissable, subject to instructor approval. The objective is to explore the importance of integrating the network-level functionality provided by programmable communication processors with their intended uses by applications and/or middleware, or in specific settings, e.g., in wide area and cluster systems.

Coursework is based on a series of research papers, industry white papers on novel products, software tools and technologies, and chapters from select titles. The course is intended for graduate or advanced undergraduate students with background in architecture (CS4290/CS6290), networking (CS4251) or operating systems (CS4210/CS6210).