CSE 531: Distributed and Multiprocessor Operating Systems
Fall 1997

Instructor
Partha Dasgupta
, partha@asu.edu, Office Location: GWC 326. Office Hours: Mon 4:40-5:30, Wed 11-12, Wed 4:40-5:30.
Phone: 965-5583,
.
Teaching Assistant
Yogesh Sewak, yogesh@asu.edu, Office Location: GWC 367. Office Hours: Tue 3p - 4:30p, Th 11a - 12:30p
Phone: 965-2797class notes

 

Books and papers (for reference)

In addition, the following topics will/may be covered from papers:

Course Contents

A comprehensive overview of the state of the technology in constructing distributed operating systems. The topics outlined in this handout are not necessarily complete. Topics:

Network Operating Systems, Message Based Systems, Object-Based systems.
Message passing, RPC, Shared Memory.
Agreement and Common Knowledge, Distributed Snapshots, Recovery and Concurrency control, Clock Synchronization, Distributed Algorithm Design, Distributed Mutual Exclusion.
Replication Algorithms, Coherence of Distributed Memory, Process Failure detection, Concurrency control, distributed locking, distributed dictionary management.
May include systems such as Argus, Eden, Clouds, Psyche, Mach etc.

Project

A programming project that will provide insights into message based programming, multi-threaded servers and distributed management. Unix processes will be used to simulate a distributed environment. Programs have to be written in C, and will be run on Unix. Some startup code will be provided.

Grading and Exams

The following table shows the schedule and weight for exams and coursework. The marks obtained will be curved for grade assignment

All exams will be open book, open notes. Although discussing homework/project problems with peers is acceptable, be careful that you work out your solutions. Any impropriety in homeworks and exams will be treated seriously.

What

When

How Much

Project and Homeworks,

as scheduled,

35%

Mid Term Exam,

 Wed. 15th October

30%

Final Exam,

 Dec. 16th (TUE), 10am-11:50

35%