CS6223 Distributed Systems

Part I

Course Duration: One semester
Credit Units: 3
Level: P6
Medium of Instruction: English
Prerequisites:
CS5222 Computer Networks and Internets or
CS5275 High Speed Multimedia Networks or
EE5412 Telecommunication Networks, or equivalent
Precursors: Nil
Equivalent Courses: Nil
Exclusive Courses: Nil 

Part II

Course Aims
This course aims at developing evaluation and design skills of distributed computer systems.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

No.

CILOs

Weighting
(if applicable)

1.

describe the fundamental concepts of distributed systems and design principles;

2 weeks

2.

design and implement client-server based systems by using Socket communication;

1 week

3.

design and implement client-server based systems by by using RPCs;

2 weeks

4.

dscribe the concepts of distributed file systems, database systems, and transaction processing systems;

4 weeks

5.

describe basic technologies of network security and secure protocols;

3 weeks

Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs)
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)

   Teaching pattern:
   Suggested lecture/tutorial/laboratory mix: 2 hrs. lecture; 1 hr. tutorial.

CILO No.

TLAs

Hours/week
(if applicable)

CILO 1

Class room teaching & tutorials

 

CILO 2

Class room teaching and lab sessions

 

CILO 3

Class room teaching, lab sessions and assignments

 

CILO 4

Class room teaching and tutorials

 

CILO 5

Class room teaching and tutorials

 

Assessment Tasks/Activities
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)
  
   Examination duration:  2 hours
   Percentage of coursework, examination, etc.:  30% CW; 70% Exam

CILO No.

Type of Assessment Tasks/Activities

Weighting
(if applicable)

Remarks

CILO 1

Mid-term exam, final exam

 

 

CILO 2

Exams and assignment

 

 

CILO 3

Exams and assignment

 

 

CILO 4

Final exam

 

 

CILO 5

Final exam

 

 

Grading of Student Achievement: Refer to Grading of Courses in the Academic Regulations
Grading pattern: Standard (A+, A, A-…F)
For a student to pass the course, at least 30% of the maximum mark for the examination must be obtained.

Part III

Keyword Syllabus:

Distributed systems architectures; Interprocess communications, RPC; multitreaded processes, client-server communication, server structures, multiple servers, concurrent and distributed programming;  distributed file services, caching, coherence protocols, name service, fault tolerance; reliability and availability; Software reliability approaches, recovery techniques, distribution and duplication; Fault management; Distributed algorithms, distributed time, clock synchronization protocols, distributed coordination; network security, cryptography, security protocols.

Syllabus

1.Distributed time and clocks

2.

Inter-Process Communication (IPC) in distributed systems
3.Client-server model and programming using RPCs (remote procedure calls)
4.Distributed file systems and distributed database systems
5.Distributed Transaction processing and management
6.Cryptography, network security and security protocols

Related Links
Department of Computer Science