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Computer Science Research Seminar
February 19, 2018 at 11 am in 3107 Patrick F. Taylor Hall
Speaker: Faraz Ahmed, Michigan State University
Title: Network Data Analytics in Operational Networks
Abstract: Large operational networks, such as Cellular Networks, Content Delivery Networks
(CDNs), and Online Social Networks (OSNs), produce data that can be analyzed to understand
and improve network performance. My research efforts have been aimed towards providing
network operators with tools, techniques and actionable insights to cope with the
rapidly evolving networks by measuring network performance and capturing new trends
through modeling and analysis of network data. In this talk, I will present our approaches
for measuring, modeling, and analyzing performance of cellular networks and content
delivery networks.
First, I will present our work on detection and localization of performance degradation
in cellular networks. Cellular network users can experience performance degradation
that can occur due to issues outside the cellular network, it may be due to the user
device itself (such as device OS, application software) or due to the content provider
(such as application servers, datacenter network). We focus on the detection and localization
of End-to-End performance degradation across four administrative domains: cellular
network, content providers, device manufacturers, and application developers. I will
also discuss our approach to assess the user impact of issues that occur within the
cellular network. Second, I will present my research on measurement, modeling, and
analysis of client perceived network performance in operational CDNs. Two major considerations
for CDNs are cost and performance dynamics of delivering content to end users. CDNs
maintain multiple transit routes from content delivery servers to eyeball ISP networks
which provide Internet connectivity to end users. I will present our approaches towards
optimal transit route selection for CDNs. Finally, I will briefly discuss our work
on privacy preserving social network data publishing.
Bio: Faraz Ahmed is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Michigan State University. His research interests lie in measurement, modeling, and analysis of large scale network data. Specifically, he has worked on research problems that involve network performance data analysis of Cellular Networks and Content Delivery Networks. He is a recipient of the 2017 Fitch H. Beach Award for Outstanding Graduate Research and the 2017 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, awarded by the College of Engineering and the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at Michigan State University.