Introduction to Magma: Cloud Native Wireless Networking from edX

Magma leverages open source software and commodity hardware to help operators manage their networks efficiently. It provides a high level of automation, high reliability, and the ability to deliver new network services quickly. It is agnostic to the radio access network technology, supporting any cellular “generation” from 2G to 5G, as well as WiFi and CBRS for unlicensed spectrum. Magma can be federated with existing cellular networks to allow networks to be cost-effectively extended into remote areas.

This course is designed for technology strategists or decision makers at telcos looking to understand the applicability of Magma to their environment. This course is also aimed at rural ISP operators, systems integrators, and anyone looking to set up a lab environment to experiment with Magma or deploy it in production.

This course will help you gain an understanding of the overall Magma architecture and how it fits into the bigger picture of cellular network architectures, particularly 4G/LTE and 5G. You will learn to recognize and understand the main functions of a mobile wireless network, understand the key use cases and value proposition of Magma, the overall architecture of Magma at a functional block level, and the functions performed by each of the main Magma components (Access Gateway, Federation Gateway, and Orchestrator). The course will also provide resources to learn more to deploy Magma on standard hardware.

This course prepares you to fully explore the Magma project. It provides the necessary background to help you determine if Magma is appropriate for your setting, and equips you to start installing and experimenting with the system.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Recognize and understand the main functions of a mobile wireless network
Understand the key use cases and value proposition of magma
Describe the overall architecture of magma at a functional block level

Understand the functions performed by each of the following main components: access gateway, federation gateway, orchestrator
Know how to learn more to deploy magma on standard hardware

Recognize and understand the main functions of a mobile wireless network
Understand the key use cases and value proposition of magma
Describe the overall architecture of magma at a functional block level
Understand the functions performed by each of the following main components: access gateway, federation gateway, orchestrator
Know how to learn more to deploy magma on standard hardware

Syllabus

Welcome!

Ch 1. Introduction to Mobile Cellular Networking

Ch 2. Introduction to the Magma Architecture

Ch 3. The Orchestrator

Ch 4. The Access Gateway (AGW)

Ch 5. The Federation Gateway

Ch 6. The Network Management System (NMS)

Ch 7. Summary

Final Exam (verified track only)

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches about Magma, which provides a high level of automation and reliability and is used by technology strategists, rural ISP operators, and systems integrators

Provides resources to learn more about deploying Magma on standard hardware

Taught by Bruce Davie and Larry Peterson, who are recognized for their work in Magma and mobile wireless networks

Covers the fundamentals of mobile wireless networks and the overall architecture of Magma

Describes the main functions of the Magma Access Gateway, Federation Gateway, and Orchestrator

Requires learners to be familiar with mobile wireless networks and have some technical background

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Magma: Cloud Native Wireless Networking with these activities:

Review cellular network architecture concepts

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Refresh your understanding of cellular network architecture concepts to lay a strong foundation for this course.

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Review basic concepts of cellular networks, such as cells, base stations, and core network components.
Learn about the different generations of cellular networks (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) and their key characteristics.
Understand the role of different network elements in a cellular network, such as the radio access network (RAN), core network, and mobile devices.

Review basic networking concepts

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Reacquaint yourself with networking concepts essential for understanding Magma.

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Review OSI model layers and their functions.
Revise TCP/IP protocol suite and its application in networking.
Refresh knowledge on wireless networking technologies (e.g., WiFi, cellular).

Review mobile wireless network functions

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Solidify your understanding of the core functions and operations of a mobile wireless network

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Create a diagram of a mobile wireless network and label its main components
Identify the different types of mobile wireless networks and explain their key characteristics
Describe the role of the base station, the mobile device, and the core network in a mobile wireless network
Explain the process of establishing a connection between a mobile device and a base station
Describe the different types of network protocols used in a mobile wireless network

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Compile a glossary of Magma terms and concepts

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Enhance your understanding and retention of Magma-related terminology by creating a comprehensive glossary.

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Review Magma documentation, tutorials, and other resources to identify key terms and concepts.
Define each term clearly and concisely.
Organize the terms alphabetically or by category for easy reference.

Join Magma community forums

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Engage with the Magma community to exchange knowledge, ask questions, and collaborate on projects.

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Find and join Magma community forums (e.g., online discussion groups, Slack channels).
Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your experiences with Magma.
Collaborate with other Magma users and developers on projects or troubleshooting.

Attend Magma community events

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Connect with experts and practitioners in the Magma community to learn from their experiences and insights.

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Check the Magma community calendar for upcoming events and webinars.
Attend virtual or in-person events to engage with the community.
Network with other attendees, share knowledge, and ask questions.

Explore Magma documentation

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Gain hands-on experience with Magma through guided tutorials provided in the official documentation.

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Access Magma documentation and explore the available resources.
Follow guided tutorials on setting up and configuring Magma components.
Experiment with different Magma features and functionalities.

Explore Magma architecture

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Strengthen your comprehension of Magma's architecture by delving into its functional blocks and their responsibilities

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Draw a diagram of the Magma architecture and identify its main components
Explain the purpose and functionality of the Access Gateway
Describe the role of the Federation Gateway in connecting Magma to external networks
Explain how the Orchestrator manages and controls the Magma network
Discuss the advantages and limitations of using Magma for network management

Discuss Magma use cases and value proposition

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Gain diverse perspectives and enhance your understanding by discussing Magma's applications and value proposition with peers

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Research and identify different use cases for Magma
Analyze the potential benefits and challenges of using Magma in these use cases
Lead or participate in a group discussion to exchange ideas and share insights
Summarize the key points and recommendations from the discussion

Follow Magma's getting started guides

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Gain hands-on experience with Magma by following the official getting started guides.

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Visit the Magma documentation site and locate the getting started guides.
Choose the appropriate guide based on your operating system and environment.
Follow the instructions in the guide to set up Magma on your local machine.
Run the Magma components and verify that they are functioning correctly.

Create a diagram of Magma's architecture

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Solidify your understanding of Magma's architecture by creating a visual representation of its components and their interactions.

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Identify the key components of Magma, such as the Access Gateway, Federation Gateway, and Orchestrator.
Understand the relationships and interactions between these components.
Create a diagram that clearly depicts the architecture of Magma, including the flow of data and control between components.

Experiment with Magma on standard hardware

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Solidify your understanding and gain practical experience by experimenting with Magma deployment on standard hardware

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Set up a lab environment with the necessary hardware and software
Follow online tutorials or documentation to install and configure Magma
Test basic Magma functionality, such as connectivity and network management
Troubleshoot any issues encountered during the deployment process
Write a report summarizing your experiences and lessons learned

Create a sample Magma network

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Solidify your understanding of Magma architecture and functionality by building a sample network.

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Design the network topology and determine the required components.
Install and configure Magma components (Access Gateway, Federation Gateway, Orchestrator).
Connect the components to establish a functional Magma network.

Design a Magma network deployment plan

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Foster your ability to plan and architect Magma deployments by creating a comprehensive network deployment plan

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Determine the requirements of the network deployment, including coverage area, capacity, and performance
Select appropriate hardware and software components for the deployment
Design the network topology and configuration
Create a deployment schedule and budget
Write a technical report summarizing the deployment plan

Solve Magma troubleshooting scenarios

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Test and improve your problem-solving skills in the context of Magma deployment and management.

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Find or create Magma troubleshooting scenarios and practice resolving them.
Identify potential issues, analyze error messages, and apply debugging techniques.
Develop strategies for mitigating and preventing common problems.

Contribute to the Magma open source project

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Gain practical experience and give back to the community by contributing to Magma's open source development.

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Familiarize yourself with the Magma codebase and development process.
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes or feature enhancements.
Create a pull request with your proposed changes and follow the review process.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Magma: Cloud Native Wireless Networking will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mobile Network Architect

Mobile Network Architects design, build, and maintain the infrastructure that connects mobile devices to the internet and each other. This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of mobile networking, including the different types of networks, the protocols used, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Network Architect

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, build, and maintain computer networks. They work with a variety of technologies, including routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless access points. This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of networking, including the different types of networks, the protocols used, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies, and they must have a strong understanding of computer science fundamentals. This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of software engineering, including the different programming languages, the software development process, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including business users, IT staff, and end users. This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of systems analysis, including the different types of systems, the systems development process, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

IT Project Manager

IT Project Managers plan, execute, and close IT projects. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including project sponsors, project teams, and end users. This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of IT project management, including the different project management methodologies, the project management process, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Project Manager

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions. They work with a variety of data sources, including structured data, unstructured data, and big data. This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of data analysis, including the different data analysis techniques, the data analysis process, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with businesses to identify, analyze, and solve business problems. They use a variety of techniques, including process mapping, data analysis, and stakeholder interviews. This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of business analysis, including the different business analysis techniques, the business analysis process, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. They work with a variety of audiences, including engineers, software developers, and end users. This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of technical writing, including the different technical writing styles, the technical writing process, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate software applications to ensure that they meet the requirements of the business. They work with a variety of testing techniques, including functional testing, performance testing, and security testing. This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of quality assurance, including the different testing techniques, the testing process, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. They work with a variety of security technologies, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software. This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including the different security technologies, the security process, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design, build, and maintain cloud computing systems. They work with a variety of cloud computing technologies, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of cloud computing, including the different cloud computing technologies, the cloud computing process, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work with software developers and operations teams to improve the software development process. They use a variety of tools and techniques, including continuous integration, continuous delivery, and infrastructure as code. This course will give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of DevOps, including the different DevOps tools and techniques, the DevOps process, and the security considerations. You will also learn about the Magma open source software platform, which is used to build and manage mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. They work with a variety of data sources, including structured data, unstructured data, and big data. This course may give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of data science, including the different data science techniques, the data science process, and the security considerations. However, this course does not cover the specific skills needed to be a Data Scientist, such as machine learning and data mining.

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Product Manager

Product Managers work with customers, engineers, and other stakeholders to define, build, and launch new products. They work with a variety of product management tools and techniques, including product roadmaps, user stories, and wireframes. This course may give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of product management, including the different product management tools and techniques, the product management process, and the security considerations. However, this course does not cover the specific skills needed to be a Product Manager, such as market research and financial analysis.

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Sales Engineer

Sales Engineers work with customers to identify and solve business problems using technology solutions. They work with a variety of technologies, including hardware, software, and cloud computing. This course may give you a good foundation in the fundamentals of sales engineering, including the different sales engineering techniques, the sales engineering process, and the security considerations. However, this course does not cover the specific skills needed to be a Sales Engineer, such as customer relationship management and negotiation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Engineer