Course Number: CSE/CSC C324 Course Name: Distributed Systems

Credits: 4 (3L-1T-0P) Contact hours per week = 4 hours

Instructor-in-charge: Dr. Satyendra Singh (satyendr.singh@bmu.edu.in )
Mrs. Tamanna Sehgal (tamanna.sehgal@bmu.edu.in )

Aim of the course: The course aims at making students aware of different types of distributed systems and
their trends, as well as an understanding of the principles, techniques, challenges and practices in the design
and implementation of distributed systems. The course discusses in details various communication protocols
and algorithms required to implement distributed systems.

Course Overview and Context: Distributed Systems is a core course for both Computer Science, and
Computer Science and Engineering streams. This course is meant to introduce distributed computing concepts
including concerns like security, concurrency, communication, remote method invocation, and fault
tolerance. The course will explore in detail the distributed transaction and related algorithms. The course will
consider various case-studies, wherever applicable, to help students understand the conceptual knowledge of
the course contents.

Course Outcomes: By the end of the course, student should be able to understand the concepts behind
distributed systems, various architectural system models to specify distributed systems. Students should be
aware of distributed systems around available in daily life and latest trends in designing and implementing
distributed systems. The student should be able to read and understand research papers in the field of
distributed computing, learn and work on a specific aspect of distributed system through different problems
in this domain. He/she should be able to understand and find solutions to different problems in this domain
and present their work by the end of this course.

Course Competencies: (Course Outcomes further elaborated) and Instruction schedule:

Competency/Instruction Schedule No. of

Lectures
C1 Understand distributed systems, types and trends in distributed systems 2

C2 Understand System Models: Physical models, Architectural models, fundamental 4

security and failure models
C3 Middleware, Distributed Object Computing Middleware Architecture 2

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 C4 Understand the concepts of inter-process communication, different methods, 6
network issues and protocols for communication

C5 Understand the Distributed Objects, different approaches for External Data 3

representation & Marshalling
C6 Remote Procedural Call 2

C7 Java RMI-layered architecture, Remote Invocation objects through Java RMI 4

C8 Understand the importance of synchronization in distributed computing – clock 4

synchronization, Logical Clocks
C9 Distributed Mutual Exclusion-Token based and Non-token-based Algorithms 7

C10 Agreement Protocols: Classification of Agreement Problems, Solutions to these 6

problems and their applications
C11 Understand the concepts of security and fault-tolerance in distributed Systems 3

C12 Understand the types of Distributed Transactions and related concepts –atomicity, 2
concurrency, deadlocks, and recovery
C13 Understand the Algorithms required for distributed transactions, Commit Protocols 3

Experiential Component
• Do a case study of any real-life application/ system which is following Distributed systems approach.
Find the following details
---Physical as well as Architectural model used for this system.
---the mechanisms used for Fault-tolerance and security in this system.
---Distributed database and operating system used
---number of servers/ datacenters
• Implement Distributed Code using RMI in Java/Python

--- Write programs in Java/Python using the concepts of distributed computing i.e. message passing

Major Topics of the Course

Introduction to Distributed Systems and trends in distributed systems, System Models, Networking and
Inter-Process Communication, Distributed Objects and Remote Invocation, Logical clocks, Operating
System support and concerns, Distributed Mutual Exclusion, Agreement Protocols, Distributed
Transactions and Algorithms

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Learning Resources:
Textbook:
1. George Coulouris, Jean Dollimore, and Tim Kindberg, “Distributed Systems: Concepts and
Design”, Pearson, 5th edition.
Reference Books:
2. Andrew Tanenbaum and Maarten van Steen, “Distributed Systems: Principles and Paradigms”,
Pearson, 2nd edition
3. Mukesh Singhal & Niranjan G. Shivaratri, “Advanced Concepts in Operating Systems: Distributed
Database and Multiprocessor Operating Systems”, Tata McGraw Hill Publications

Note: Additional resources, wherever required will be provided on a timely basis.

Assessment Pattern: The final grade will be based on the marks/ grades obtained in the mid-semester and
end-semester evaluation along with other assessments defined in the assessment table. Relative grading
method defined in the academic regulations of the university will be followed to grade the students.
Student must secure minimum 40% of marks after completing all the assessments in the following table
to become eligible for grading.

Component Weightage (%)

Quiz 1 5
Assignment 1 5
Mid Semester Examination 20
Tutorial Problem solving 1 10
Quiz 2 5
Assignment 2 5
Tutorial Problem solving 2 10
End Semester Examination 40

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 Student Responsibilities:
• Attend lectures and Tutorials regularly and be punctual.
• Submit assignments in time.
• Use of mobile in lecture and tutorials is strictly prohibited.
• Ensure academic integrity – no copying, no cheating, focus on learning and gaining
knowledge. Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend the classes regularly. Failure to
attend the classes regularly and adhere to the expected attendance percentage will result in a reduction
of the grade as per the University’s grading policy.

Late assignment submission policy: Late submission in assignment is not allowed and any late submission
will be awarded “0” marks in that particular assignment.

Recourse examination policy: In case if a student fails in the course, one time recourse is permitted as per
University academic regulations. Recourse is allowed only for end examination (3 hours) with 40%
weightage.

Make-up policy: No make-up work will be given for unexcused absences. The faculty needs to be informed
in advance in case the student is not going to be able to submit an assignment or take any evolution component,
and it is at the discretion of the faculty to sanction make up for an evaluation component.

Academic dishonesty/cheating/plagiarism: Plagiarism and dishonesty in any form in any evaluation

component will lead to appropriate disciplinary action.

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