This is an archived syllabus from 2013-2014
COMP28112 Distributed Computing syllabus 2013-2014
COMP28112 Distributed Computing
Level 2
Credits: 10
Enrolled students: 143
Course leader: Rizos Sakellariou
Additional staff: view all staff
Requisites
- Pre-Requisite (Compulsory): COMP18112
- Pre-Requisite (Compulsory): COMP16212
- Pre-Requisite (Optional): COMP25111
Assessment methods
- 80% Written exam
- 20% Practical skills assessment
| Semester | Event | Location | Day | Time | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sem 2 | Lecture | 1.1 | Tue | 13:00 - 13:00 | - |
| Sem 2 | Lecture | 1.1 | Mon | 13:00 - 13:00 | - |
| Sem 2 B | Lab | G23 | Tue | 11:00 - 11:00 | I |
| Sem 2 B | Lab | LF31 | Fri | 11:00 - 11:00 | G |
- Web and Distributed Systems
Overview
Many of the most important and visible uses of computer technology rely on distributed computing. Understanding distributed computing requires an understanding of the problems and the challenges stemming from the coordinated operation of different hardware and software. The course focuses on a set of common techniques required to address the key challenges of distributed computing.Aims
Many of the most important and visible uses of computer technology rely on distributed computing. This course unit aims to build on the course unit in the first year (COMP10052) which introduced students to the principles of distributed computing, and it focuses on techniques and methods in sufficient breadth and depth to provide a foundation for the exploration of specific topics in more advanced course units. The course unit assumes that students have already a solid understanding of the main principles of computing within a single machine, have a rudimentary understanding of the issues related to machine communication and networking, and have been introduced to the area of distributed computing.
Syllabus
Introduction
Revision of the characteristics of distributed systems. Challenges. Architectural models.
Remote Invocation and Distributed Objects
Java RMI, CORBA, Web Services.
Message-Oriented middleware
Synchronous vs asynchronous messaging. Point-to-point messaging. Publish-subscribe.
Concurrency, co-ordination and distributed transactions
Ordering of events. Two-phase commit protocol. Consensus.
Caching and Replication
Security
Service-Oriented Architectures, REST and Web Services
Teaching methods
Lectures
22 in total, 2 per week
Laboratories
10 hours in total, 5 2-hour sessions
Feedback methods
Formative feedback based on assessment of different solutions to problems relevant to the module or area of weakness from previous years. Feedback is also provided by demonstrators in the laboratory.Study hours
- Assessment written exam (2 hours)
- Lectures (24 hours)
- Practical classes & workshops (12 hours)
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Innovation/creativity
- Problem solving
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, a student will be able to:
Learning outcomes are detailed on the COMP28112 course unit syllabus page on the School of Computer Science's website for current students.
Reading list
| Title | Author | ISBN | Publisher | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distributed systems : concepts and design | Coulouris, George F., author. | 9781447930174 | Pearson Education Limited | 2012 |
| Distributed systems | Steen, Maarten van, author. | 9781543057386 | Maarten van Steen | 2017 |
Additional notes
Course unit materials
Links to course unit teaching materials can be found on the School of Computer Science website for current students.