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Previous: MC116 Computer Systems
MC117 Operating Systems and Networks
| Credits: 10 |
Convenor: Gavin Lowe |
Semester: 2 |
| Prerequisites: |
essential: MC116, MC103 |
desirable: MC104 |
| Assessment: |
Coursework: 40% |
1 hour exam in May/June: 60% |
| Lectures: |
18 |
Classes: |
3 |
| Tutorials: |
none |
Private Study: |
44 |
| Labs: |
10 |
Seminars: |
none |
| Project: |
none |
Other: |
none |
| Total: |
75 |
|
|
Explanation of Pre-requisites
Some knowledge of programming and of hardware is required.
Course Description
An operating system forms the interface between the computer's hardware and
the user; examples include Windows NT, Linux (and other versions of Unix), and
MacOS. The operating system has many tasks, such as: managing processes,
allocating processor time between different processes; allocating the memory
between different processes; organizing input and output; and managing files.
The operating system is responsible for protecting the user from other users,
and where possible from himself/herself. The ``Operating Systems'' part of
the module explains how these tasks are carried out in modern computers.
Computer communications is very much a part of modern life, with the
ever-rising popularity of the Internet and the World Wide Web. In the
Networks part of the course we will study the science underpinning such
communications. Topics of interest will include the underlying physical
media, the way data is represented, how errors in transmission can be detected
and dealt with, the way information is routed over a large network, and the
details of some actual network applications.
Aims
To gain an appreciation of the role of computer operating systems. To become
aware of the requirements and limitations of networked communication channels.
Objectives
-
To gain a basic knowledge of the services provided by an operating system, and
how these services are implemented.
-
To become aware of the ways in which networked computers communicate with one
another.
-
To become familiar with the Unix operating system.
Transferable Skills
-
An understanding of the actions of current computer operating systems.
-
An understanding of the communications between computers.
-
A familiarity with the Unix operating system.
Syllabus
- Operating systems
-
- Introduction
- Overview; history; processes; hardware features;
interrupts.
- Process management
- Programs and processes; multitasking; the
dispatcher; scheduling and scheduling policies.
- Memory management
- Memory allocation methods; paging; virtual memory;
segmentation; protection and sharing.
- Input/output
- Organization of I/O; device independence; device handlers;
semaphores; buffering.
- File management
- Directory structure; file management techniques;
sharing and security; integrity.
- Networks
-
- Introduction
- Requirement for communication; different sorts of network;
layered protocols; connection-oriented and connectionless services.
- The Physical Layer
- Twisted-pair; coaxial cable; fibre optic cable;
wireless transmission; limits to communication; representing binary data; the
telephone system; multiplexing.
- The Data Link Layer
- Error detection and correction; flow control;
channel allocation; protocols for local area networks; bridges.
- The Network Layer
- Datagrams and virtual circuits; routing; congestion
control; internetworking; firewalls; the network layer in the Internet.
- The Transport Layer
- Connection management; the transport layer in the
Internet; optimizations and congestion control.
- The Application Layer
- Security; Domain Name System; electronic mail;
Usenet news; the World Wide Web.
Reading list
Essential:
Tanenbaum,
Computer Networks,
Prentice Hall, 1996.
Recommended:
Lister and Eager,
Fundamentals of Operating Systems, 4th edition,
MacMillan, 1993.
Ritchie,
Operating Systems, 2nd edition,
DP Publishing, 1995.
Tanenbaum and Woodhull,
Modern Operating Systems,
Prentice Hall, 1997.
Sloan,
Computer Communications,
McGraw Hill, 1993.
Stallings,
Data and Computer Communications, 4th edition,
Prentice Hall, 1994.
Beauchamp and Poo,
Computer Communications,
Thompson Computer Press, 1995.
Details of Assessment
The coursework will consist of four or five practicals on the Linux operating
system (a variant of Unix), one worksheet on the theory of operating systems,
and two worksheets on networks.
The written exam will contain three questions: one containing short questions,
examining the students' knowledge of the subject in breadth; and two longer
questions, one for each part of the module, examining the students' knowledge
in depth. Candidates can obtain full marks from two good answers.
Next: MC123 Introduction to Newtonian
Up: Year 1
Previous: MC116 Computer Systems
S. J. Ambler
11/20/1999