Distributed Systems

The course can be part of the following programmes:

1. Computer Science, Master's Programme (N2COS)
2. Applied Data Science, Master's Programme (N2ADS)
3. Computer Science, Bachelor´s Programme (N1COS)

The course is a also a single-subject course at Gothenburg University.

Successfully completed courses corresponding to 120 credits within the subject Computer Science or equivalent. Within the 120 credits the following courses are required;

• DIT671 Computer Networks, 7.5 credits or DIT423 Computer Communication, 7.5 credits (or equivalent)
• DIT401 Operating systems, 7.5 credits or DIT392 Concurrent programming, 7.5 credits (or equivalent)

Applicants must prove knowledge of English: English 6/English level 2 or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

The course with an introduction to the basic concepts of distributed systems and the challenges they pose. After that, we revisit the required background in communication systems and operating systems. The main course content:

1. Naming
2. Mutual Exclusion and Election
3. Clocks and Time
4. Consistency and Replication
5. Fault Tolerance in Distributed Systems
6. Selected Applications in Distributed Systems

The lectures provide students with the required fundamentals, and labs give students a hands-on experience in developing distributed systems and exploring their real-world challenges.

This course involves hands-on experimentation and analysis as they reinforce student understanding of concepts and their application to real-world problems. Overall, this course provides the students the ability to understand fundamental issues in the design of methods for distributed systems.

After completion of the course the student is expected to be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• apply of basic concepts of distributed systems and their challenges, naming and synchronization of systems, consistency and replication, and fault tolerance in distributed systems.
• describe applications of distributed systems and the mechanisms these use to provide their services.
• discuss and analyse the challenges and requirements of different approaches.
• compare and summarize the strength and weaknesses associated with the individual mechanisms.

Skills and Abilities

• develop and evaluate small-scale distributed systems using fundamental mechanisms.
• demonstrate software developments in advanced settings including unreliable links and systems as well as limited bandwidth.
• demonstrate experimental results in oral and written presentation.

Judgement and approach

• describe and analyse existing and new methods for distributed systems design. In particular, the systems ability for scalability and fault tolerance.
• discuss and value the social and ethical aspects of distributed systems and tehir applications.

Lectures, home assignments, laboratory work.

Language of instruction: English

The course is examined on basis of:

• a written exam done individually in an examination hall (6.0 hec)
• and the home assignment and Laboratory work, each done in a groupt of two, (total 1.5 hec) are presented both in written and oral form.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

Sub-courses

1. Written exam, 6 credits
   Grading scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U)
2. Laboratory work, 1.5 credits
   Grading scale: Pass (G) and Fail (U)

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

In order to be awarded the grade Pass (G) for the entire course, the student must get the grade Pass on both the sub-courses.
In order to get the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) for the entire course, the student must get the grade Pass on the sub-course Written exam and get the grade Pass on the sub-course Laboratory work.

The course is evaluated through meetings both during and after the course between teachers and student representatives. Further, an anonymous questionnaire is used to ensure written information. The outcome of the evaluations serves to improve the course by indication which parts could be added, improved, changed or removed.

The course is a joint course together with Chalmers.