CSE 634 Advanced Operating Systems, FALL 1998



Course Description

This is an advanced operating system (OS) course, with a focus on modern computer systems implementation techniques. Students who want to take this course are expected to have the level of understanding in kernel design and structures as exposed in CSE506. If you don't have that background and still want to take this course, please come and talk to me first. An important thing to remember before you decide to take this course is that you have to be prepared to commit a significant amount of time to the homeworks and class projects to get anything useful out of the course. That is, it is very unlikely to get anything out of the course just by auditing the course. This course centers around studying advanced systems papers and designing/implementing novel software subsystems. The reading materials for the course include a set of around 40 research papers, and the Linux/BSD Unix kernel internals documentations. Class meetings will consist of instructor lectures on research papers and student presentations on Linux internals and design/implementation of their chosen projects.

The focus of this semester's class projects is on developing innovative software around Linux, from kernel facilities to middleware subsystems. The set of project topics currently under consideration are:

Each project is designed to take two to three students for three to four months. So you should start working on the project once the topic is settled. The written requirement of the project consist of three monthly mini-reports and a final project report, all in HTML formats. We expect that each and every class project in this course, when executed successfully, should lead to a publication in respectable systems conferences. In addition, students are expected to participate in classroom discussion, and complete three homeworks, which will be a combination of essay writing and programming assignments.

The grade will be based on: 60% Homework (15%, 23%, 22%) and 40% (10% midterm report, 30% final report)Project. The workload is estimated to be about 10 hours per week, excluding the project effort. The class meets from 5:30-6:50PM every Wednesday and Friday in the conference room. The first class is on 9/4 (Friday).


Administrative Matters


Special Needs

If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, I would urge that you contact the staff in the Disabled Student Services office (DSS), Room 133 Humanities, 632-6748/TDD. DSS will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential.

Handouts