CS2ON: Operating Systems and Computer Networking

Module code: CS2ON

Module provider: Computer Science; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Shuang-Hua Yang, email: shuang-hua.yang@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE CS2OP (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Operating Systems and computer networking provide a general understanding of the structure and the main functionalities of modern operating systems and introduce basic concepts and theories of computer networks. The module consists of two parts. The first part, Operating Systems, aims to provide an overview of Operating Systems which include: a brief history of Operating Systems and their development. Furthermore, it covers the main functionalities and components and their associated algorithms. The second part, computer networking, introduces the theories underlying computer communications and shows how these are applied in real world network applications.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe the concepts, the general structure, and purpose of an operating system, compare various CPU (Central Processing Unit) scheduling algorithms;
2. Understand the differences between segmented and paged memories, compare polled, interrupt-driven, and DMA-based access to I/O devices;
3. Understand core concepts and knowledge of network architecture and communication protocols; and
4. Implement the concepts with security measures incorporated in real world network applications.

Module content

The module covers the following topics:

• Operating Systems
  • Introduction to operating systems Structure
  • Process concepts, lifecycle, process management, inter-process communication
  • Scheduling fundamentals, CPU-I/O interleaving, (non-) pre-emption, context switching
  • Scheduling algorithms: FCFS, SJF, SRTF, priority scheduling, round robin
• Memory Management and File System
  • Segmentation, Paging
  • File management
  • Directory and storage, hierarchies, and access control
• Input and Output
  • General structure
  • Application I/O interface
  • Block and character devices
  • Buffering
  • Blocking versus non-blocking I/O
• Security and Protection
  • Protection domain
  • Authentication
• Core concepts of network architecture and communication protocols
  • Framework of multi-tier architectures
  • Ethernet protocols; Internetworking
  • Local Area Networking (LAN) routing
  • Error, congestion, and flow control
• Network technologies ranging from local area networks to the Internet
  • Ethernet with TCP/IP
  • IP addressing; Routing protocols
  • Congestion control schemes within the Internet
• Core Internet applications
  • Email, web serving and name resolution
• Wireless network
  • Wireless and Ad Hoc network
  • Wireless links and Characteristics
  • Wireless LAN
  • Cellular Internet Access

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered via lectures, and lab sessions throughout the semester.

Study hours

At least 44 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Interactive lectures will be used to collect informal feedback. The lab sessions are used to enhance the concepts and collect further feedback as well.

Reassessment

Additional costs