Distributed Systems Fall 2009

The assignment

Fall 2009 5DV020 3

Introduction

• GCom – group communication middleware

• Apply concepts from theory– Group handling– Message ordering– (Reliable) Multicast of messages

Fall 2009 5DV020 4

Rules and grading

• Done in pairs• 3 levels

– Bonus points for the exam (if non-bonus points give you ≥ 30p of 60p total)!• Valid for this year's exams only

– Level 1: basic system (no bonus)– Level 2: + dynamic groups (3p bonus)

– Level 3: + tree-based reliable multicast (6p bonus)

Fall 2009 5DV020 5

Constraints

• May use any programming language and any tools you like– ...as long as they do not provide a too big advantage (check with us!)

– Currently, we can only help with Java RMI

– Do not use sockets

• All normal rules apply– Thou shalt not cheat, etc.

Fall 2009 5DV020 6

Test and debug application(s)

• Test application– A user-level application that shows the functionality of the system

• Debug application– Used to demonstrate the correctness of your implementation

• These programs can, and likely will, be one and the same!– But make the debug parts non-essential to use the application

– Must be GUI applications!

Fall 2009 5DV020 7

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1 (project plan)– Your interpretation of the assignment

– Requirement analysis– Project and time plan– Basic design of the system

• Yes, really

• Deliverable 2 (report)– Refers back to Deliverable 1– Describe your system– ...the usual– Make something to be proud of!

• One of your biggest projects during your time here at CS

Fall 2009 5DV020 8

Live demonstration

• You will demonstrate your system to us at the end of the course– Written test protocol

Fall 2009 5DV020 9

Good luck!

• Students have done this before, and succeeded– Certainly not easy– Hard work, big payoff– All students that attempted the entire assignment passed!