Next: MC320 Modelling Biological Systems
Up: Year 3
Previous: MC315 Expert Systems and
MC316 Parallel and Distributed Computing
| Credits: 20 |
Convenor: Professor Iain A. Stewart |
Semester: 1 |
| Prerequisites: |
essential: MC103,MC104,MC111,MC116,MC117,
MC204 |
desirable: MC211 |
| Assessment: |
Continual assessment: 30% |
Three hour exam in May/June: 70% |
| Lectures: |
36 |
Classes: |
none |
| Tutorials: |
12 |
Private Study: |
102 |
| Labs: |
none |
Seminars: |
none |
| Project: |
none |
Other: |
none |
| Total: |
150 |
|
|
Explanation of Pre-requisites
Typical of the material assumed for this module are the basics of: computer
architectures; computer networks; the design and analysis of algorithms; and
discrete mathematics especially graph theory.
Course Description
It has been well documented that one way of increasing the power of
computers is to utilise more than one processor, i.e., to compute in
parallel. As to how one organises ones processors is a matter for choice.
One can interconnect existing sequential machines (as is the
case in the Internet), to obtain a distributed system, or one can build
special purpose parallel machines, such as array processors,
multiprocessors (i.e., shared memory machines) and multicomputers (i.e.,
distributed memory machines). This course will look at the different ways
in which one can compute in parallel and at the different problems arising.
The course will be a fusion of the theoretical and the practical.
Aims
The course aims to introduce students to the technologically important area
of parallel and distributed computing, and to equip students with a
knowledge of a number of different ways in which one can compute using more
than one processor. Students will come to appreciate that the general topic
is an exciting mix of theory and practice, and that there is a number of
very difficult fundamental problems to overcome, both technological and
theoretical, in order to build efficient parallel and distributed machines.
Objectives
The course objectives are to ensure that students understand: a number of
different models of parallel and distributed computing; how to
program machines based upon these models; and how there are different
problems associated with the practicalities of these models, particularly
with respect to communication and algorithm design.
Transferable Skills
Students will become more experienced in the application of
discrete mathematics, especially graph theory, in computing, and will
obtain a comprehensive grounding in the general area of parallel and
distributed computing, a direction in which technology will proceed in
future.
Syllabus
This course examines a variety of models for parallel and distributed
computing including array processors, multiprocessors, multicomputers and
distributed systems. Issues regarding communication in distributed systems
are considered, and algorithms are designed and analysed for leader
election, global snapshots and synchronisation. Topological
properties of interconnection networks for multicomputers are
investigated, and routing and broadcasting algorithms are developed. New
advances in distributed and parallel computing including mobile computing
and optical networks are studied.
Reading list
Essential:
J.M. Crichlow,
An Introduction to Distributed and Parallel Computing,
Prentice Hall, 1997.
Recommended:
ed. A.Y.H. Zomaya,
Parallel and Distributed Computing Handbook,
McGraw-Hill, 1996.
G. Tel,
Introduction to Distributed Algorithms,
Cambridge University Press, 1994.
M.J. Quinn,
Parallel Computing: Theory and Practice,
McGraw-Hill, 1994.
A.S. Tanenbaum,
Distributed Operating Systems,
Prentice Hall, 1995.
Background:
S.G. Akl,
Parallel Computation: Models and Methods,
Prentice Hall, 1997.
V.C. Barbosa,
An Introduction to Distributed Algorithms,
MIT Press, 1996.
N.A. Lynch,
Distributed Algorithms,
Morgan Kaufmann, 1996.
Details of Assessment
The coursework for the continual assessment consists of 5 assignments
staggered throughout the course at approximately one assignment every two
weeks.
Next: MC320 Modelling Biological Systems
Up: Year 3
Previous: MC315 Expert Systems and
Roy L. Crole
10/22/1998