CQUniversity Unit Profile
COIT13229 Applied Distributed Systems
Applied Distributed Systems
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The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 25-02-21

The prescribed textbook shown on page 5 of the unit profile has been updated and should be deleted.

Microservices Patterns: With examples in Java 1st edition (2018) Authors: Chris Richardson Manning ISBN 978-1617294549 Binding: Website Link Additional Textbook Information Can be accessed freely online at: https://learning.oreilly.com/library/view/microservices-patterns/9781617294549/

The prescribed textbook information on page 5 in the unit profile should be replaced with: 

Distributed Systems Concepts and Design 5th (2012) Authors: George Coulouris, Jean Dollimore, Tim Kindberg and Gordon Blair Addison-Wesley Boston, MA, USA ISBN: 9780132143011 Binding: Other

General Information

Overview

In this unit you will learn basic principles of distributed systems including architectural design, inter-process communication, remote invocation, web services, coordination and concurrency, and how to use these principles in the development of distributed applications. You will learn about distributed file systems, naming, and data-related aspects of distributed transactions, and data replication. You will be exposed to the significant distributed system characteristics of scalability, heterogeneity, security and failure handling. You will explore the areas of mobile and ubiquitous computing and the social impact arising from the ubiquity of distributed systems.You will practice the theory through laboratory activities developing of secure, reliable, distributed computing applications that can perform concurrent operations across multiple computers in the Internet.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite: COIT11134 and COIT11237.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2021

Brisbane
Cairns
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney
Townsville

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 35%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 35%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Self Evaluation

Feedback

Assignment return and feedback.

Recommendation

Unit Coordinator should ensure correct and detailed feedback is provided by the cohort of markers along with the timely return of the assignments within the allocated timelines.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Develop software applications that can run in parallel and on multiple networked computers to using approaches such as remote objects, and client-server solutions
  2. Design and develop secure distributed applications using approaches such as webservices, and peer-to-peer solutions
  3. Discuss the use of algorithms and other mechanisms for executing coordinated concurrent processes in distributed systems
  4. Discuss the technology needs and social impact arising from ubiquitous distributed systems
  5. Evaluate techniques for creating secure, reliable and efficient distributed systems.

Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles. ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile at https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html
This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA 7. The SFIA code is included:

  • Software Design (SWDN)
  • Systems integration and build (SINT)
  • Programming/Software Development (PROG),
  • Database Design (DBDS)
  • Testing (TEST)
  • Release and Deployment (RELM)
  • Application Support (ASUP)

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Practical Assessment - 30%
2 - Practical Assessment - 35%
3 - Written Assessment - 35%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Practical Assessment - 30%
2 - Practical Assessment - 35%
3 - Written Assessment - 35%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Microservices Patterns: With examples in Java

1st edition (2018)
Authors: Chris Richardson
Manning
ISBN: 978-1617294549
Binding: Website Link

Additional Textbook Information

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • MySQL
  • Java SE 11
  • Java Derby
  • NetBeans 11
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Partha Gangavalli Unit Coordinator
p.gangavalli@cqu.edu.au
Jamie Shield Unit Coordinator
j.shield@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Introduction to Distributed Systems

Chapter

1 & 2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Interprocess Communication

Chapter

4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Distributed Objects and Remote Invocation

Chapter

5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Process and Thread Management – Operating System Support

Chapter

7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Security in Distributed Systems

Chapter

11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Practical Assessment 1 Due: Week 5 Friday (9 Apr 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Web Services

Chapter

9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 26 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Name Services

Chapter

13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 03 May 2021

Module/Topic

Coordination and Agreement

Chapter

15

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 10 May 2021

Module/Topic

Transactions and Concurrent Control

Chapter

16

Events and Submissions/Topic

Practical Assessment 2 Due: Week 9 Friday (14 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 17 May 2021

Module/Topic

Distributed Transactions

Chapter

17

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 24 May 2021

Module/Topic

Replication and Fault Tolerance

Chapter

18

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 31 May 2021

Module/Topic

Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing

Chapter

19

Events and Submissions/Topic

Written Assessment 3 Due: Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Unit Coordinator

Mr. Partha Gangavalli

College of Information and Communication Technology

School of Engineering and Technology

Central Queensland University

Sydney

Email: p.gangavalli@cqu.edu.au


Prescribed textbook for this course: Distributed Systems Concepts and Design 5th (2012) Authors: George Coulouris, Jean Dollimore, Tim Kindberg and Gordon Blair Addison-Wesley Boston, MA, USA ISBN: 9780132143011 Binding: Other

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment 1

Task Description

Your task for this assignment is to design, implement, test and document a client/server system which allows concurrent access to multiple clients. The purpose of this assignment is to assess your competency in Java TCP/UDP networking, multi-threading, and object serialization/de-serialization. This assignment task is to assess your skills in practicing the theoretical concepts learnt in Weeks 2 - 4. Further details are available on the unit website in the Assignment 1 Specification document.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (9 Apr 2021) 11:45 pm AEST

Assignment-1 Due


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021)

Assignment-1 Results Release


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

1. Appropriate analysis and design of a software application using networking and client-server communication for the given problem

2. Implementation of the application using networking, multi-threading, and object serialization

3. Incorporation of concurrent multi-user access to the software application

4. Use of good programming techniques/practices

5. Rigorous testing of software application.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Create a single zip file containing all code, data and configuration files required to run the project and submit via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop software applications that can run in parallel and on multiple networked computers to using approaches such as remote objects, and client-server solutions
  • Design and develop secure distributed applications using approaches such as webservices, and peer-to-peer solutions


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment 2

Task Description

Your task for this assignment is to design, implement, test and document a secure 3 tier client-server system connecting to a database and using java remote method invocation. The system should allow concurrent access requiring synchronisation when dealing with multiple clients. This assignment task is to assess your skills in practicing the theoretical concepts learnt in Weeks 3 - 8. The assignment also includes a report on some theoretical concepts learnt in Weeks 7- 8.Further details are available on the unit website in the Assignment 2 Specification document.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (14 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST

Assignment-2 Due


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (28 May 2021)

Assignment-2 Results Release


Weighting
35%

Assessment Criteria

1. Appropriate analysis and design of a software application using networking and client-server communication for the given problem

2. Implementation of the application using networking, multi-threading, connecting to a database and security

3. Use of good programming techniques/practices

4. Rigorous testing of software application.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Create a single zip file containing all code, data and configuration files required to run the project and submit via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop software applications that can run in parallel and on multiple networked computers to using approaches such as remote objects, and client-server solutions
  • Design and develop secure distributed applications using approaches such as webservices, and peer-to-peer solutions
  • Evaluate techniques for creating secure, reliable and efficient distributed systems.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment 3

Task Description

For this assessment you are required to write a technical report on aspects supporting seamless service provision using distributed systems and associated architectures. You will discuss the principles of replication and fault tolerance, the architecture and components, scalability, and challenges. You will also discuss the relevance of this topic in cloud based IoT and cyber physical systems and the social impact of these systems. This assignment task is to assess your skills in emerging technologies and the theoretical concepts learnt in Weeks 1 - 12.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 11:45 pm AEST

Assignment-3 Due


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (18 June 2021)

Assignment-3 Results Release


Weighting
35%

Assessment Criteria

1. Clear demonstration of your understanding of replication and fault tolerance

2. Demonstration of your understanding of the theoretical concepts learnt in relation this topic

3. Critical review of the challenges in replication and fault tolerance

4. Relevant discussion of the relevance to IOT and cyber systems

5. Understand social impact of ubiquitous computing

6. Appropriate formatting, clarity of expressions, and relevant and correct use of references


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit a Microsoft Word document via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the use of algorithms and other mechanisms for executing coordinated concurrent processes in distributed systems
  • Discuss the technology needs and social impact arising from ubiquitous distributed systems
  • Evaluate techniques for creating secure, reliable and efficient distributed systems.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?