Distributed Systems (DAT520)
The course gives insight into both theoretical and practical aspects of distributed computing systems, with particular emphasis on techniques for building fault tolerant systems.
Course description for study year 2023-2024. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
DAT520
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Spring
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Spring
Language of instruction
English
Content
The course gives insight into important theoretical principles of distributed computing, including: system models for interaction and failure, interprocess communication, synchronization, time and global states, protocols for coordination and consensus (Paxos), distributed transactions, fault tolerance, consistency, and replication. The course also covers concrete systems and architectures for distributed systems: map-reduce, distributed hash tables, peer-to-peer systems, gossip-based systems, and distributed file and storage systems.
The course also includes a large programming project based on concepts and algorithms studied in class, in which the student must show how these can be implemented in practice.
The programming project in this course shall be implemented using the Go programming language.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- Be familiar with important principles for design and implementation of distributed systems.
- Be familiar with the most important system architectures for distributed systems.
- Be familiar with important techniques for solving various problems in distributed systems.
Skills
- Be able to develop advanced distributed applications with fault tolerance properties. - Be able to perform independent research in distributed systems. - Be able to reason about problems that involve distributed components.
General competency
- Know how to develop distributed computer systems.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Recommended prerequisites
Exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam | 1/1 | 4 Hours | Letter grades | None permitted |
Coursework requirements
Mandatory programming assignments. Pass/Fail. Approval requires submitting your solution to our system for automated evaluation, followed by in-lab approval. All programming assignments must be passed to sit for the written exam.
Completion of mandatory lab assignments is to be made at the times and in the groups that are assigned. Absence due to illness or for other reasons must be communicated as soon as possible to the laboratory personnel. One cannot expect that provisions for completion of the lab assignments at other times are made unless prior arrangements with the laboratory personnel have been agreed upon.
Failure to complete the assigned labs on time or not having them approved will result in barring from taking the exam of the course.
Course teacher(s)
Course coordinator:
Hein MelingHead of Department:
Tom RyenMethod of work
Overlapping courses
| Course | Reduction (SP) |
|---|---|
| Distributed systems (MID110_1) | 10 |