Module Mobile and Distributed Systems, Computer Science (Master) (ER 8)
The module provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills in the field of mobile and distributed systems. Students develop an in-depth understanding of the underlying technologies and architectures as well as the competence to design, evaluate and apply modern solutions for complex, real-world problems.
- In lecture Mobile Systems, students acquire the ability to analyze mobile communication systems, identify their challenges and apply suitable technologies such as MANETs, DTNs or mobile TCP.
- The lecture Distributed Systems enables students to understand and evaluate current technologies such as cloud computing, IoT and DLT and to apply them in a global context.
- The Distributed Systems Lab offers practical experience in the development of distributed systems, in particular the migration of monolithic architectures to microservices. Students use modern technologies such as Kubernetes, Docker and Istio.
After completing the module, students will be able to critically evaluate technological concepts of mobile and distributed systems, design their integration and implement innovative solutions in a professional and research-oriented context.
Building on an assumed understanding of the basic principles and paradigms of distributed systems, this Master's course deals with case studies of current application areas. The selection of covered contents varies. On the one hand, practically significant (industry-relevant) areas are considered. On the other hand, current trends from research and development are addressed. Currently, the course focuses on the topic of internet computing.
In this course, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the infrastructure and technologies that underpin today's Internet computing. They will develop a solid understanding of distributed system architectures and web technologies that are essential for navigating the complex landscape of modern IT environments. By exploring current paradigms such as cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), students will be able to evaluate and utilize these technologies in a variety of professional contexts. In addition, by exploring emerging technologies such as distributed ledger technologies and fog computing, students will be prepared to develop innovative contributions in the field of Internet computing. The course aims to enhance their analytical skills and enable them to critically evaluate the integration and potential of Internet-based technologies in shaping individual, organizational and societal practices. In addition, students will enhance their research and inquiry skills through engagement with a variety of learning resources, including examples, further reading and comprehension questions in the accompanying textbook.
Lecture Notes:
- Sunyaev, Ali. 2020. Internet Computing: Principles of Distributed Systems and Emerging Internet-Based Technologies. Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34957-8.
An extensive bibliography and specific recommendations for further reading will be presented during the course.
Independent work units concern the follow-up of the course content and the exam preparation.
The lab provides practical insights into the construction of distributed information systems. Current paradigms are taken up and extended principles are dealt with in the context of realistic use cases. The specific tasks are based on current topics in industrial research and development. It therefore varies from semester to semester. The practical implementation is carried out using modern industry-relevant platforms and frameworks. Currently, the lab covers a project to migrate a monolithic information system following the microservice architectural style. It utilizes technologies like UML and Domain Driven Design, REST-based Microservices with Spring/Spring-Boot, a Microservice-Platforms with Docker and Kubernetes as well as Service Meshes based on Istio. Through participation in this lab class, students will gain hands-on experience in designing, developing, and deploying distributed information systems, particularly through the lens of converting monolithic architectures into microservices. They will become proficient in using a suite of modern, industry-standard tools and technologies, including UML for modeling, Domain-Driven Design for structuring systems, Spring and Spring Boot for creating REST-based microservices, and Docker and Kubernetes for containerization and orchestration. Furthermore, the application of Istio for managing service meshes will equip students with the skills necessary for optimizing the communication and operation of microservices in complex systems. This practical experience will prepare students for current and future challenges in industrial research and development.
- S. Newman, "Microservices - Konzeption und Design", mitp, 2015
- E. Wolf, Das Microservices-Praxisbuch: Grundlagen, Konzepte und Rezepte, dpunkt, 2018,
- B. Rumpe , Modellierung mit UML, Xpert.press, 2011
- V. Vernon, Domain-Driven Design kompakt, dpunkt, 2017
- E. Wolf, 2016, Microservices - Grundlagen flexibler Softwarearchitekturen, dpunkt, 2016
- E. Wolf, H. Prinz, Service Mesh – The New Infrastructure for Microservices, innoQ, 2020, http://leanpub.com/service-mesh-primer
More literature is presented each semester according to the task. This also includes online tutorials based on a selection of current frameworks and libraries.
Basic knowledge in the areas of web and component-based distributed systems as well as web and database programming in Java is required. The course includes 50% supervised attendance time (2 SWS) and 50% independent work. Proof of performance is provided by presentation and defense of the solution.
In this course, students acquire a basic understanding of the challenges and technologies in the field of mobile communication systems. After completing the lecture, they will be able to explain basic principles of wireless and mobile communication and analyze and evaluate specific technologies such as mobility models, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), delay tolerant networks (DTNs) and mobile TCP. In addition, they are able to identify problems in the field of mobile systems and apply suitable solutions in practical scenarios.
The lecture covers the following topics:
· Fundamentals of mobile systems: Challenges posed by mobility, wireless communication and networks.
· Mobility models: simulation and analysis of individual and group-based mobility.
· Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs): Self-organizing networks, routing protocols and use cases.
· Delay-tolerant networks (DTNs): Communication with intermittent connectivity and "store-carry-forward" mechanisms.
· Mobile TCP: Adaptation and optimization of the Transmission Control Protocol for mobile and wireless networks.
The lecture is taught in a flipped classroom format. Students prepare for the live sessions independently with the help of lecture slides and explanatory videos. In the classroom sessions, content is deepened through case studies and exercises. Online tests are available for self-assessment, offering students feedback and the opportunity to consolidate what they have learned. The examination consists of a 60-minute written exam, which is part of the module exam "Mobile and Distributed Systems".
The total workload is 60 hours, which is divided into 20 hours of attendance time in the live sessions, 20 hours of asynchronous learning with lecture slides and videos and 20 hours for exam preparation and follow-up work.
- Slide collection and explanatory videos in the ILIAS system
- James Kurose, Keith Ross: Computer Networking - A Top-Down Approach, 8th edition, Pearson, 2021 (Chapter 7).
- Martin Sauter, Grundkurs Mobile Kommunikationssysteme, 8th edition, 2022 (available as an e-book via the KIT library)
- Further information in ILIAS and in the lecture
The lecture will take the form of seminars with exercises.