Distributed Systems

DESCRIPTION:
Distributed systems principles; communication; processes; naming; synchronization; fault tolerance; security; consistency and replication; object-based systems; document-based systems; distributed file systems; coordination-based systems; payment systems; Internet and web protocols; scalability.

RATIONALE: 
Principles and concepts of distributed systems underpin development of real-world applications. Students will get a deeper understanding of these principles as well as the design and the complexity of a distributed system, with the use of up to date paradigms. Students will be exposed to the concepts of distributed system’s inter-operability, transparency and autonomy and to the difficulties of concurrency, lack of a global clock and independent failure of components.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
As a result of taking this course, the student should be able to:
1. Determine and explain the needs to design a distributed system and analyze their models.
2. Demonstrate understanding of communication on distributed systems and processes.
3. Evaluate distributed system architectures, consistency models, process synchronization and data replication needs.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
• Lectures, class discussions, and review of real-world cases based on specific theoretical concepts. Laboratory practical sessions.
• Office hours: Students are encouraged to make full use of the office hours of their instructor, where they can ask questions and go over lecture material.
• Use of the Blackboard Learning platform, where instructors post lecture notes, assignment instructions, timely announcements, as well as additional resources.