Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	System Software
Module Code	CA644
School	School of Computing
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Brian Stone Semester 2: Brian Stone Autumn: Brian Stone
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This module introduces students to systems software that interacts closely with the operating system. It addresses the structure of operating systems, historical developments and current norms. Systems software is a speciality within the context of the development of the operating system itself and the development of software which is closely coupled with the operating system and its kernel as well as the services that an operating system has to offer through its APIs and ABIs. The module aims to introduce students to deeper levels of software interactions, below the application layer and into the kernel of the operating system and to delve into the services that may be provided at the kernel level. It also aims to introduce students to server software and to demystify the field of server configuration and management.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the structure of the UNIX and UNIX-like operating systems and how application software interacts with the operating systems.
2. Develop and construct scripts which utilise system utilities and calls to the operating system to automate complex tasks and solve repetitive problems.
3. Develop applications in C which interact closely and are tightly integrated with the operating system. For instance memory management in the stack and the heap, application programming with Sockets for IPC and Internet communication, reliable and unreliable schemes.
4. Evaluate and select the various server solution architectures available for the construction of large scale server environments and an introduction to their logs and analysis of logged data.
5. Select appropriate computer languages and scripting techniques to develop appropriate systems software solutions.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	36	No Description
Tutorial	12	No Description
Laboratory	24	No Description
Independent learning	116	No Description
Total Workload: 188

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Syllabus.
The development trends in Operating systems, historic current and future. The UNIX shell, file system, permissions, command line shells and their interaction with the kernel. The C programming interface to the UNIX and Linux Operating System. Memory allocationdeallocation and management in Linux, the stackheap and memory locking for security. Network programming, the Socket interface, TCP and UDP Sockets, raw sockets, UNIX domain sockets for inter process communication and a comparison between the different socket types. Servers on UNIX, managing Apache web-server, server logs, web applications, MySQL, PHP, JavaScript and AJAX. Shell scripting in the UNIX and Linux environment. Virtualisation in the enterprise, virtual servers, operating systems, hypervisors and flavours of virtualisation. VMware and Xen virtual environments. UNIX clusters for high end servers. Cloud computing for on demand virtualisation..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	25%	Examination Weight	75%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

CAPD

PhD

CAPM