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MC117 Operating Systems and Networks
| Credits: 10 |
Convenor: Dr G. Lowe |
Semester: 2 |
| Prerequisites: |
essential: MC116, MC103 |
desirable: MC104 |
| Assessment: |
Coursework: 30% |
One and a half hour exam: 70% |
| Lectures: |
15 |
Classes: |
6 |
| Tutorials: |
none |
Private Study: |
48 |
| Labs: |
6 |
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 95, Unix, and Solaris. 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.
An essential part of modern computing is the communication channel between any
pair of computers. The data passed through this channel is of many different
forms. The link itself is also varied, depending on many parameters, not the
least being the physical distance between the computers. The ``Networks''
part of the module looks at the local and the long distance communication
network, and how these networks are both adapted and supplemented for the
specific needs of inter-computer communications.
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; baseband v. broadband;
modulation (analogue / digital); bandwidth; multiplexing.
- Channel media
- Physical link; twisted-pair; co-axial; fibre optics
cable; satellite.
- Message types
- Serial/parallel and synchronous/asynchronous systems;
RS232; data compression; encryption, error protection.
- Local area networks (LAN)
- What's attached; addressing; messages; starts, rings and buses; ethernet.
- Public switched telephone network (PSTN)
- Current systems: phone, fax (tones), radio, TV, modems; packet switching;
ISDN; mobile systems.
- Computer and LAN access to PSTN
- Internet : e-mail, address style, file
transfer (ftp, anonymous ftp), http, newsgroups, telnet.
- ISO layer concept
- Protocols, HDLC, JANET, X25.
Reading list
Essential:
Beauchamp and Poo,
Computer Communications,
Thompson Computer Press, 1995.
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.
Details of Assessment
The coursework will consist of two practicals on the Linux operating system (a
variant of Unix), one worksheet on the theory of operating systems, and one
worksheet 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: MC120 Vectors and Geometry
Up: Year 1
Previous: MC116 Computer Systems
Roy L. Crole
10/22/1998