Distributed Systems Fundamentals
About the course
The course can be taken as a singular master's-level course.
Fundamental mechanisms and structuring principles for distributed systems are covered. Focus is on issues like, for instance, processes, computer communication, consistency, concurrency, replication, fault-tolerance, security, resource control, distributed file systems, and distributed architectures.
Admission requirements
Objectives of the course
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the main topics of distributed systems at an introductory level.
- Knowledge of the central challenges of distributed systems, their behavior, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
- Knowledge of the primary ideas, architectures, designs, and implementations of distributed systems
- Knowledge of some select cases of distributed systems
- The best way to learn how to build distributed systems is by practice, and so an important part of the course is a substantial distributed system design and implementation project.
Skills:
- Skills in systems-level programming. How to build a working prototype of a non-trivial distributed system including its architecture, design, and implementation.
- Skills in the languages, frameworks, and tools used to build a prototype distributed system
- Skills to analyze real distributed systems, and identify central characteristics including performance scaling.
- Skills in presenting a system, giving a demonstration of it, and identify lessons learned.
General competence:
- Competence in selecting a suitable set of programming languages, frameworks, and tools for a given problem domain.
- Competence in asking relevant questions about computer based systems.
Prerequisites
Anbefalte forkunnskaper
INF-2200 Computer architecture and organization, INF-2201 Operating system fundamentals, INF-2300 Computer Communication, INF-2310 Computer Security
Credit reduction
If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:
- D-340 Distributed computations theory and practice 8 ects
Teaching methods
Language of instruction and examination
The language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.Recommended reading/syllabus
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Pensumliste for INF-3200 - Distributed Systems Fundamentals (HØST 2026)Schedule
The schedules are normally finalized and published well in advance of the start of the semester, often a few weeks beforehand. This gives students the opportunity to organize their studies and prepare for upcoming activities.
It is recommended to check the schedule regularly, as changes may occur.
Information to incoming exchange students
This course is open to incoming exchange students.
Study level: Master’s
Admission prerequisites:
This course has admission prerequisites, which are listed under the Admission requirements section. Please review this information carefully before adding the course to your Learning Agreement.
For details on how to apply for exchange, course selection guidelines, or to contact the Incoming Admissions Team, please visit: Admissions for Student Exchange.
Examination
| Oral exam |
Grade: A–E, fail F |
To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements
| Programming assignments | Grade: Approved – not approved |
Everything you need to know about before, during, and after the exam; registration, absence, appeals, and diplomas: UiT Exams homepage
