Georgia Tech: Networking & Telecommunications Group


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Networking and Telecommunications Student Reading Group

Purpose

Note: This section has been somewhat modified from previous years' descriptions
The Networking and Telecommunications Student Reading Group is intended to be a platform to read and discuss classic and/or recent networking research publications, some of which may be on (or related to) the NTG area qualifier reading list. The SRG is the perfect arena to ``test the waters'' in many areas of networking research that you probably would not learn in classes. The emphasis will be on discussion (unlike the seminar, where you just sit and listen to a talk); consequently, more time will be set apart for the discussion than the presentation.

Why attend?

  • Learn new networking concepts or ideas, or review classic ones
  • Explore the research scene outside your own area of speciality, and broaden your outlook on networking research.
  • Develop faculties for critical and analytical thinking (which usually happens when you witness a paper being ripped to shreds by smart grad students).
  • Improve your presentation and argumentative skills (which usually happens when you're presenting the paper that's being ripped to shreds).
  • Help you prepare for qualifiers in networking or a related area.
  • Meet students with similar research interests, make contacts, and build community spirit in the NTG

Format

The SRG meets usually last between 1-2 hours, and attendees are also provided with some form of nourishment. Each week, a presenter (chosen beforehand) presents one or more papers for 15-30 minutes each, after which the paper is discussed (or ridiculed). The rules of engagement:

  • Everyone must read the paper before the meeting so we don't waste time on background/motivation.
  • The presenter is responsible for a rough agenda for the meeting --- presentation of the paper's ideas and results (slides/blackboard/otherwise), discussion questions, pros/cons (usually 10-15 of them), possible offshoots for the work etc.
  • As far as possible, we will try not to use the SRG for practice talks or discussions of the presenter's research (more on this later).

Miscellaneous/FAQ

  • Q: Can't I just come for the food? I don't have the time to read random papers.
    A: There's no such thing as a free lunch. Moreover, if you attend even once, you've signed a binding contract to present atleast once during the semester.
  • Q: What kind of papers should I present? Or, alternatively: 'can I present this paper because it mentions the internet?'
    A: Networking is quite broad, and there is lots of interdisciplinary research in conferences today. Use either the NTG qualifier reading list (linked earlier) or recent trends in networking conferences to guide your choice. A list of such conferences (in no way complete) is: SIGCOMM, SIGMETRICS, Infocom, IMC, Mobicom, NSDI, Hotnets, IPTPS, ICNP, Mobihoc.
    The question can also be phrased as 'Why should i choose one paper over another?'. It's all good if it's an accepted `classic' paper (like this, this, or this). If it's from a recent conference, use your judgement to decide whether it is 1) Generally interesting idea/area, i.e., not a tweak to an obscure problem for an obscure protocol/system which requires lots of background; and 2) Likely to be relevant some years from now.
    The presenter can (and should) directly use his/her expertise to decide which papers to pick. However, we request that they not present their own work, nor use the SRG for practice talks for conferences. One of the primary goals of the SRG is to give students a glimpse of networking research happening outside Georgia Tech --- there are plenty of opportunities to present/discuss the presenter's own work (the NTG seminar, for instance).