Distributed Systems
Introduction
This module deals with distributed IT systems and their performance.
Contents
The module covers a selection of the following topics:
- Reliability of distributed systems: Concepts of distributed file systems, synchronization techniques for reliable distributed applications, concepts of load balancing in high-availability clusters,
- Example: Sensor networks: Routing in sensor networks, operating systems for sensor networks, security in sensor networks,
- Secure internet protocols (IP security (IPsec), Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), Secure Socket Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS), Secure Shell (SSH), DNS security (DNSsec)), secure IPv6 networks.
- example: internet of things
- Traffic theory models, basic concepts of probability theory, transformation methods, stochastic processes, methodology for performance analysis of technical systems, queueing and traffic theory discrete-time and continuous-time Markov chains, analysis of Markov and non-Markov systems, application examples for performance analysis of current computer systems and networks: service quality and other characteristics
- Algorithms in message-passing systems
- Leader election and consensus
- Routing in networks: centralized and distributed approaches
- Randomized methods for contention resolution and congestion avoidance
- Contagion and Distributed Network Dynamics
Learning Objectives
Students - can evaluate existing distributed systems in terms of reliability and security and identify vulnerabilities. - can correctly identify reliability and security requirements when designing new distributed systems and consider them early in the development process. - have the methodological knowledge and practical skills to model technical systems using probability theory and mathematical statistics. - describe foundational problems arising in distributed systems and explain algorithmic solutions for these problems. - apply general algorithmic design principles like randomized contention resolution and congestion avoidance and to use techniques like load balancing and randomization to solve problems arising in network contexts. - model distributed systems in a formal way and to develop algorithmic solutions enabling the efficient usage of computer networks and other distributed systems
Examination Methods
- either 120 min written exam
- or 20-30 min oral examination
Lecture: Distributed Systems
SWS: 2 ECTS: 2
Exercise: Distributed Systems Exercise
SWS: 2 ECTS: 4
Module Competences
| ID | Description | Disciplines | Prerequisites | Evidence | Author | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dist_systems_1 | evaluate existing distributed systems in terms of reliability and security and identify vulnerabilities | Computer Science | Submit written analysis of existing distributed systems | University of Potsdam | Link | |
| dist_systems_2 | identify reliability and security requirements when designing new distributed system and consider them early in the development process | Computer Science | discuss necessary requirements for a design of a distributed system | University of Potsdam | Link |