Course Title: Distributed Operating Systems Theory (TR 9:30-10:45am, FB 313)
Credits: 3
Course Description
This course covers advanced distributed operating system algorithms and theory. Topics such as distributed mutual exclusion, distributed event ordering, distributed deadlock detection/avoidance, agreement protocols, consistent global snapshot collection, stable predicate detection, failure recovery, fault-tolerant consensus, leader election, process groups and group communication. Case studies of distributed operating systems such as LOCUS, Grapevine, V System, ISIS, Amoeba, Sprite, and Mach will be used as illustrations of the above algorithms.
Prereqs: CS 570 or consent of instructor.
Needed Skills
CS 670 is intended to be an advanced graduate-level course in distributed systems. Students should have had a graduate course in operating systems, (equivalent to CS 570) covering distributed operating systems, multiprocessor operating systems, database operating systems and security issues in distributed system.
Learning Outcomes
Students will learn about distributed systems design and implementation. They will be exposed to various areas of research in distributed systems and mobile computing systems. They will learn about designing and implementing fault tolerant distributed systems. A student completing this course successfully will be able to pursue independent research in distributed systems.
Week by Week Course Outline
| Weeks | Topics |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction |
| 2 | Synchronization, distributed mutual exclusion |
| 3 | Deadlock Detection/Avoidance |
| 4-5 | Consistent global snapshot collection |
| 6 | Predicate detection |
| 7-8 | Failure recovery in distributed systems |
| 9 | Fault-tolerant consensus |
| 10-11 | Authentication Protocols |
| 12 | Leader election algorithms, Agreement Protocols |
| 13 | Process Groups and group communication |
| 14-15 | Experimental distributed operating systems |
Examinations
There will be one in-class, midterm examination during the semester and a two-hour final examination. The date of the mid-term is March 22, 2004 (Monday).
Grading
A student's grade will be determined by a weighted average of homework assignments, mid-term examination, and the final examination.
Letter Grades: A > 95, B > 90 , C > 80, D > 70.Homework: 30%
Midterm: 35%
Final Examination: 35%
Textbooks
Mukesh Singhal and Niranjan G. Shivaratri
Advanced Concepts in Operating Systems
McGraw Hill, 1994Papers from the literature