Cisco-Curtin Center for Network Workshop at Curtin Malaysia on 29 July

Miri – 27 July 2022 – The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) and the Cisco-Curtin Center for Network at Curtin University in Perth are collaborating to conduct a workshop on computer networking in Miri this Friday, 29 July 2022.

The workshop will be facilitated by James Lim, Senior Software Developer at the Cisco-Curtin Center for Network at Curtin University’s School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences in Perth.

It will be held from 10 am to 4 pm in Collaborative Room 1 (SK3-205) at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science (Skylark Precinct) and participation is free of charge. However, pre-registration is required by logging in to https://bit.ly/CiscoCurtinWorkshop.

Industry practitioners and members of the public interested in computer networking and related technologies are invited to join students and academic staff of Curtin Malaysia for the workshop.

Lim said computer networking is advancing at a tremendous pace to accommodate the fast-growing number of Internet users, mobile users and IoT devices and ensure top-quality service and high-speed connections.

He added that the advancement of multi-cloud and AI/ML technologies has opened up many opportunities and brought networking into a modern era, particularly in the realm of 5G. Therefore, those interested to learn more about the key ingredients in the success of 5G as a Software-Defined Network (SDN) and Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) are encouraged to attend the workshop.

The workshop will cover the fundamentals of SDN, NFV and cases of industry use to provide participants a comprehensive understanding of the foundations of modern computer networking.

According to Lim, Cisco Systems, Inc. (Cisco) in its 2022 annual report stated that global Internet users will increase from 3.9 billion in 2018 to 5.3 billion by 2023 (66 per cent of the global population). Furthermore, device connections such as Internet of Things (IoT) connections will reach 14.7 billion by 2023, and the number of global mobile devices will grow from 8.8 billion in 2018 to 13.1 billion by 2023. Hence, future networks will require capabilities to handle massive amounts of simultaneous connections, manage network policy configurations autonomously at scale, and ensure zero-trust security with constant verification.

“These are gargantuan tasks for any network and very challenging for network operators. Achieving these capabilities also requires tremendous amounts of research and innovation. That is why Cisco and Curtin University established the Cisco-Curtin Center for Network to research and innovate cutting-edge technology for future networks,” said Lim.

Established in 2019, the centre was born out of a partnership between Cisco, the world’s leading networking company, and Curtin University under the umbrella of the Cisco National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN) Research Chair Program which connects researchers and engineers from institutions and research laboratories across Australia.  The centre focuses on state-of-the-art network research which includes Cisco intent-based networking, Cisco digital network architecture, zero touch networking, AI empowered autonomous networks, and quantum internet.

Associate Professor Ling Huo Chong, Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, commented that it will be worthwhile for those with an interest or role in computer networking to join the workshop.

The workshop will comprise two sessions. In the first session, participants will learn more about the Cisco-Curtin Center for Network, including its members, massive open online courses (MOOC), research, and network testbed. They will also be given a brief introduction to SDN and NFV along and their uses, such as in modern network adaptation, multi-cloud operations, 5G in mining operations, Internet of Things (IoT), and healthcare.

The second session will follow with a deep-dive into the infrastructure implementation of SDN and NFV, including theoretical infrastructure and examples of implementation, network management and orchestration (MANO), AI/ML in network automation, and 5G core. Lim will also discuss some of the ongoing research by Curtin researchers and PhD students, and share information and resources on online courses, free online lab exercises and open-source tools to help participants enhance their knowledge and skills.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at www.curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.

Industry practitioners and interested members of the public are invited to join the workshop.

James Lim (centre) with Curtin Malaysia Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Simon Leunig and Assoc Prof Ling Huo Chong.