Distributed SystemsModule Details

Rationale
The main objectives of the course are to introduce the principles of design, construction and development of distributed systems along with distributed algorithms while covering in detail the different interaction paradigms for distributed systems like inter process communication, remote invocation, and indirect communication. The module will also cover in detail distributed algorithms for time, state consistency, coordination and agreement. Students will have the opportunity to contrast different middleware paradigms like distributed objects, components based, and peer-to-peer systems; The module content covers in detail naming structure and organization in distributed system and exposes students to development tools/environments/frameworks and how-to develop distributed systems.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students will be expected to:

(i) Describe the principals, design, architecture, organisation, algorithms and development of distributed systems.
(ii) Compare the following interaction methods: inter process communication, remote invocation, and indirect communication that are used in distributed systems.
(iii) Critically assess time, state consistency, coordination and agreement algorithms used in distributed systems.
(iv) Critically assess different middleware paradigms like distributed objects, components based, and peer-to-peer systems.
(v) Summarise the naming structure and organisation in distributed systems.
(vi) Select an appropriate distributed algorithm that fulfills the design requirements for a distributed system.
(vii) Select an appropriate middleware paradigm that fulfills the design requirements for a distributed system.
(viii) Design and develop a distributed system based on a description of its required functionality and purpose.