Philip Chan
242 Engineering Complex, 674-7280, pkc@cs.fit.edu
Office Hours: MW 1-3pm (or by appointment)
Course Web Page: http://www.cs.fit.edu/~pkc/classes/dc/

This course introduces fundamental concepts in software systems that support and work in a distributed computing environment. Topics in network communication mechanisms, distributed operating systems, services supporting distributed systems, and distributed algorithms are discussed. Programming assignments include implementing different aspects of distributed systems.

Books

• Distributed Systems: Concepts and Design, Coulouris, Dollimore & Kindberg, 4th Edition, Pearson, 2005.
• Reference:
  • Unix Systems Programming: Communication, Concurrency, and Threads, Robbins & Robbins, Prentice Hall, 2003 [previously entitled "Practical Unix Programming", 1996]
  • Java Network Programming, Hughes, Shoffner & Hamner, 2nd Edition, Manning, 1999.
  • Thread Time: The MultiThreaded Programming Guide, Norton & DiPasquale, Prentice Hall, 1996.
  • Java Threads, Oaks & Wong, 3rd Edition, O'Reilly, 2004. [Reviews on Java Thread books]

Tentative Topics

• Networking and communication concepts (Ch 1-5)
• Distributed operating systems (Ch 6)
• Distributed file systems (Ch 8)
• Time and coordination (Ch 11-12)
• Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing (Ch 16)
• Web Services (Ch 19)

Prerequisites

• Data Structures and Algorithms (CSE 2001/2010/5020/5100)
• Operating Systems (CSE 4001/5045/5230)
• Proficient in programming (C, C++, or Java).

• Midterm exam (20%), final exam (30%), homework assignments (50%)
• Term paper: a mini-research paper (CSE 5241 students only)

Policies

• Students are encouraged to help each other on assignments, but plagiarism (copying) is prohibited.
• Late assignments are accepted, but 20% is deducted for each day.
• Documentation constitutes 10% of each programming assignment.