Distributed Systems - Fall 2019
The website for fall 2020 is here.
This is the website of the Distributed Systems course, Fall 2019 of the MS in Cybersecurity, University of Rome ``Sapienza".
Instructor: Giuseppe Antonio Di Luna.
The course is about distributed systems, with a specific focus on fault-tolerance. Students will learn to appreciate the difficulties introduced by the uncertainty given by the unavoidable coexistence of local knowledge, asynchrony, and failures.
They will understand how and when, in spite of these difficulties, it is possible to build powerful distributed algorithms. Such algorithms are essential to construct distributed systems in which geographical distant entities cooperate to solve disparate tasks.
The term ``failure" has to be intended in its more general meaning: it indicates any deviation from normal behaviour. Therefore, it subsumes the concept of malignant intrusion.
Algorithms will be presented in a formal, abstract, and modular way.
At the end of the course, the student is expected to be able to design fault-tolerant distributed algorithms, and to provide formal and convincing arguments on their correctness.
Lectures
Lectures are held in the Aula Tumminelli (see map) on Monday (12-14) and Wednesday (14-17).
Contact: diluna(at)diag.uniroma1.it
Exam
The exam will be divided in two parts:
Part one consists in a written test containing several exercises, including the design of a distributed algorithm with a (formal) sketch of its correctness.
Part two is an oral test, based on a discussion of your written test results. Other questions will be asked to assess the knowledge of the course content.
Disabilities. If you have disabilities and you believe that there are some aspects of the course that are preventing you from learning, please contact me so that we can discuss strategies to accomodate your needs.
Statement of inclusiveness. The classes are meant to embrace people of any ethnic background, sexual orientation, and religion. To create a gender neutral environment, I would gladly use a name different from the one in your official IDs or a pronoun of your choice (he/she/they). In case you have been offended by something said by myself, or another student, give me a promptly feedback. Anonymous feedbacks on these matters, or any other thing that made you feel uncomfortable, is extremely encouraged. You can send me an anonymous email using guerillamail and the Tor network. I will not tolerate any discriminatory language, behaviour or attitude in my classes.
Mental Health. If you are experiencing an intolerable amount of stress, worries, sleeping and eating problems that you believe are connected to this course, please contact me or other university staff members. The university has special offices that you can contact to get psychological counselling (https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/counselling-psicologico).