Main Field of Study and progress level:
Computing Science: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Computational Science and Engineering: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass with merit, Pass, Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Department of Computing Science
Established by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2013-10-17
Revised by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2017-10-02
Contents
The goal of this course is to introduce basic knowledge to understand how modern distributed systems operate. Our focus will be on distributed algorithms and on practical aspects that should be considered when designing and implementing real systems. Some topics that will be covered are causality and logical clocks, synchronization and coordination algorithms, transactions and replication, and end-to-end system design. Although students will need to learn various distributed algorithms, this is not only a theoretical course. Thus, computer based assignments will be used extensively so that students will gain practical experience designing and implementing real systems. In addition the course will explore recent trends exemplified by current highly available and reliable distributed systems.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding After having completed the course the student will be able to:
Explain general properties, challenges, and characteristics of distributed systems
Explain the notions of causality and time in light of the design and implementation of distributed systems
Explain general distributed algorithms for synchronization and concurrency, coordination, transactions, and replication
Compare replication schemes with respect to performance, availability, and consistency concerns
Explain practical issues that need to be considered when designing, implementing, and debugging distributed systems
Skills and abilities After having completed the course the student will be able to:
Design, implement, and debug distributed systems
Employ fundamental distributed algorithms to solve problems that arise when engineering distributed systems
Explain the inner mechanisms of current production distributed systems
Required Knowledge
Univ:To be admitted you must have 60 ECTS-credits in Computing Science or 2 years of completed studies, in both cases including C-programming and Unix, (5DV088) and Computer Networks, (5DV013) or equivalent.Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper Secondary course English A.Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.
Form of instruction
Education consists of lectures and compulsory written and computer based assignments. In addition to scheduled activities, individual work with the material is also required.
Examination modes
Evaluation of the course will be done in two parts. The first part will be based on tests, compulsory written homework assignments and an optional comprehensive exam. The optional exam is for those students who fail this part of the evaluation. The second part of the evaluation will be based on compulsory practical assignments (projects).
The assemssments given for each part of the course are Fail (U), or Pass (3), Pass with Merit (4), or Pass with distinction (5). Notably, there is only one final course grade based on the scores from both parts of the evaluation. The final course grade is a combined evaluation of the grades from each part and is given when all compulsory parts of the course are completed and examined. The final grades given for the course are Fail (U), or Pass (3), Pass with Merit (4), or Pass with distinction (5). A student who has passed an examination may not be re-examined.
Students who do not pass the written part of the evaluation, either by doing the partial tests and written homework assignments or by doing the comprehensive optional exam, may take a second or third comprehensive examination on the stipulated dates. Individual students who have not passed the projects at the end but who regularly participated in the work of them can have some extra tasks as a second exam in order to pass them. Students who have not participated in the projects at all during the course, will get the grade Fail (U) and will be offered additional examinations only when the course is offered next time.
A student who has taken two tests for a course or segment of a course, without passing, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless there exist special reasons (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 6, section 22). Requests for new examiners are made to the head of the Department of Computing Science.
Other regulations
TRANSFER OF CREDITS In an exam, this course not be included, in whole or in part, simultaneously with another course of similar content. If in doubt, consult the student counselors at the Department of Computing Science and / or program director of your program.
Note that this course can not be fully accounted for in an examination together with one of the course Distributed systems (5DV020).
Transfer of credits is considered individually. For more information, see the university of rules and / or contact Student Services (http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/transfer-of-credits/?languageId=1)
Literature
The literature list is not available through the web.
Please contact the faculty.
