Program Overview:

This specialized course is crafted to guide participants through the intricate process of developing, debugging, and maintaining Ethernet network drivers for the Linux operating system. Over 20 sessions, students will dive deep into the architecture, tools, and best practices essential for professional-grade driver development in the Linux kernel environment.

Target Audience:

* Software engineers and developers interested in kernel development
* System programmers looking to specialize in Linux device drivers
* Computer science students and researchers focusing on low-level and system programming
* IT professionals aiming to deepen their expertise in Linux internals

Duration:

20 sessions, each lasting 1 hour, delivered over 10 weeks.

Learning Objective:

Participants will:

* Understand the Linux kernel architecture and networking stack
* Learn the fundamentals of writing, debugging, and maintaining Ethernet network drivers
* Gain practical experience with kernel programming and device driver development
* Master tools and techniques for debugging kernel modules and network drivers

Prerequisites:

* Proficient in C programming
* Basic understanding of Linux/UNIX command line
* Familiarity with networking concepts
* Introductory knowledge of operating systems and their components

Course Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Linux Kernel Development
   - Overview of the Linux kernel and its architecture
   - Setting up a development environment
2. Kernel Programming Basics
   - Kernel space vs. user space
   - Kernel modules: writing, loading, and unloading
3. Linux Networking Stack Overview
   - Understanding network layers in Linux
   - Key networking concepts and structures
4. Device Driver Fundamentals
   - Role and structure of device drivers
   - Communicating with hardware
5. Ethernet Technology Basics
   - Ethernet standards and protocols
   - Understanding Ethernet hardware
6. Developing Ethernet Drivers
   - Skeleton of an Ethernet driver
   - Handling data transmission and reception
7. Memory Management in Kernel
   - Buffer allocation and management
   - DMA operations in drivers
8. Interrupt Handling and Synchronization
   - Managing interrupts in drivers
   - Synchronization techniques in kernel programming
9. Advanced Network Features Implementation
   - VLANs, QoS, and other Ethernet features
   - Network device configuration and management
10. Debugging and Testing Drivers
    - Tools and techniques for debugging kernel modules
    - Writing test cases for device drivers
11. Performance Optimization
    - Profiling drivers and performance tuning
    - Identifying bottlenecks and optimizing code
12. Security Considerations in Driver Development
    - Ensuring driver security
    - Best practices for secure coding in kernel space
13. Contributing to the Linux Kernel
    - The Linux kernel development process
    - Submitting patches and getting involved with the community
14. Case Studies: Popular Ethernet Drivers
    - Examination of real-world Ethernet drivers
    - Lessons learned and best practices
15. Project: Developing a Simple Ethernet Driver
    - Planning and designing a driver project
    - Step-by-step development with instructor guidance
16-20. **Project Continuation, Review, and Feedback**
    - Continuing the project development
    - Code reviews and optimization suggestions
    - Final project presentation and feedback

Course Delivery:

Online: Online Live Interactive Sessions of 1 hour each
In-person: Hands-on labs and debugging sessions to be conducted in a controlled classroom environment.
Hybrid: Theory classes conducted online, complemented by in-person or virtual lab sessions for practical experience.

Training Methodology:

Lectures: In-depth slides and lecture notes focusing on both theoretical frameworks and practical insights.
Hands-On Labs: Engaging lab exercises that simulate real-world scenarios for driver development and debugging.
Reading Assignments: A curated compilation of kernel documentation, essential books, and impactful articles in the field of driver development.
Videos: Instructional video content to demonstrate complex concepts and coding techniques in a digestible format.

Deliverables:

Participants will emerge from this course with:

* In-depth knowledge of Linux kernel architecture, especially the networking stack.
* Practical skills in developing, debugging, and optimizing Ethernet network drivers.
* Experience in using kernel development tools and best practices.
* A personal project that involves creating a simple Ethernet driver, showcasing their newfound skills and understanding of Linux device driver development.