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COMP SCI 7076 - Distributed Systems

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

A selection of topics from the following: the challenges faced in constructing client/server software: partial system failures, multiple address spaces, absence of a single clock, latency of communication, heterogeneity, absence of a trusted operating system, system management, binding and naming. Techniques for meeting these challenges: RPC and middleware, naming and directory services, distributed transaction processing, 'thin' clients, data replication, cryptographic security, mobile code. Introduction to Java RMI or CORBA.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code COMP SCI 7076
    Course Distributed Systems
    Coordinating Unit Computer Science
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 2.5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge COMP SCI 7006, COMP SCI 7081 & one of COMP SCI 7082 or COMP SCI 7201
    Assessment written exam, assignments
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Damith Ranasinghe

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    In Distributed Systems this course, you will learn a range of fundamental and applied techniques in distributed systems. The learning objectives for Distributed Systems are:

    1. To develop and apply knowledge of distributed systems techniques and methodologies.
    2. To gain experience in the design and development of distributed systems and distributed systems applications.
    3. To gain experience in the application of fundamental Computer Science methods and algorithms in the development of distributed systems and distributed systems applications.
    4. To gain experience in the design and testing of a large software system, and to be able to communicate that design to others.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2,3
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2,3
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2,3
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1,2
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1,2,3
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 4
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    You can perform all the exercise work required for the course in the University computer Labs.
    The programming language used is Java.
    However, if you want to be able to work at home, you could consider installing Java on your own system.
    For more information, go to the Java website --- simply Google "Java".
    Recommended Resources
    Reference books:

    • Distributed Systems: Concepts and Design, G. Coulouris, Jean Dollimore and Tim Kindberg, Addison Wesley, 4th Edition
    • Distributed Systems: Principles and Paradigms, A.S. Tanenbaum and M. Van Steen, Pearson, 2nd Edition
    Online Learning
    More information about the course can be found online on the Moodle
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be taught with lecture, tutorial, and collaborative sessions.
    You are expected to attend the lectures and take part in the activities, and attempt tutorial questions before the scheduled tutorial session.

    All lectures will be attempted to be recorded, however attendance at the lectures is recommended, due to the large number of activities present in the lectures.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
    You are expected to attend all scheduled lecture classes (2hrs per week), and, if scheduled, the collaborative and tutorial sessions.
    In addition to the schedule contact hours, you are expected to spend an additional 2-4 hours per week after each lecture to consolidate your understanding of it. You will need to allocate up to 7 hours per week on average to work on the assignments and tutorials.
    Learning Activities Summary
    The topics taught in this course can be broadly classified as shown below. The list of topics and their scheudle is available on the course web site.

    Local and distributed synchronization
    Remote Operations - latency hiding and reductions
    Failure semantics in RPC
    Distributed file systems
    Consistency models
    Distributed transactions and failures
    2PC, 3PC, PAXOS
    Specific Course Requirements
    Note that COMP SCI 3001 is assumed knowledge for this course - this implies that students are familiar with Socket implementations (particularly in Java), and that students have an understanding of the idea of a protocol and the differences between TCP and UDP.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    The assessment will comprise of two parts: practical programming assignments and collaborative session reports worth 30% and a final exam worth 70%.

    Component Weighting CBOK Areas
    Assignments and Collaborative sessions 30% 1,2,4,7,8,9,11
    Final Written Exam 70% 1,2,8

    CBOK Legend

    1. Abstraction
    2. Design
    3. Ethics
    4. Interpersonal Communication
    5. Societal Issues
    6. History & Status of the Discipline
    7. Hardware & Software
    8. Data & Information
    9. Programming
    10. Human Computer Interfaces
    11. Systems Development

    Details of the Australian Computer Society's Core Bode of Knowledge (CBOK) can be found in .
    Assessment Detail
    More information on the assessment is provided online on the course forum. The course has two forms of assessment: summative assessment, provided by the tutorials and collaborative sessions, and formative assessment provided by the assignments and collaborative sessions reports.
    Submission
    All practical assignments must be submitted using the School of Computer Science online Submission System.
    Details are included in each assignment description on the course website. Collaborative practical reports are submitted via email to the course coordinator. The University policy on plagiarism applies on all submissions.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through .

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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