CSS 430: Operating Systems
Spring 2009 Syllabus
T/Th 8:00-10:05pm
Room: UW1-030
Instructor: Dave Probert

2009/03/31

Instructor:

Dave Probert <DProbert@u.washington.edu>, classroom UW1-030, phone 206-930-9202

Office hours: after class (or by appt).

Course Description:

This course introduces the logical design of operating systems, especially focusing on Windows and UNIX. Topics covered include processes, threads, CPU scheduling, synchronization, deadlocks, memory management, virtual memory, file systems, I/O systems, protection, and security.

Prerequisites:

CSS343.

Grading:

Course Work	Percentage
Quizzes/Homeworks	9%
Programming Assigns.	29%
Project	9%
Class Participation	3%
Midterm Exam	20%
Final Exam	30%

Textbook:

• Operating System Concepts, Eighth edition, Abraham Silberschatz, Peter Galvin, and Greg Gagne, Addison-Wesley, 2008

References (as discussed in class):

• Windows Internals: Including Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista, Fifth Edition, Russinovich & Solomon, 2009.
• Windows Research Kernel (source code), NT Design Specs, Curriculum Resource Kit, Windows Academic Program.
• Windows Kernel Debugger Help Manual, Microsoft WinDbg.

Policies:

All work is to be done independently (unless explicitly specified differently in the written assignment).

Any collaboration of work will result in severe penalty. You may discuss the problem statement and any clarification with each other, but any actual work to be turned in, must be done without collaboration.

Any assigned work is due at the beginning of class for both its hardcopy and softcopy on the due date. Both copies must be submitted. The submission may be postponed only in emergencies such as accidents, sickness, sudden business trips, and family emergencies, in which case you may turn in your homework late with a written proof. No make-up exams will be given except under exceptional circumstances. Barring emergencies, I must be informed before the exam.

If you believe that you have a disability and would like academic accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services at 425.352.5307, 425.352.5303 TDD, 425.352.5455 FAX, or at dss@uwb.edu. They will be happy to provide assistance. You will need to provide documentation of your disability as part of the review process.

Course Goals:

The overall goal of CSS 430 is to learn fundamental concepts that are used in and applicable to a variety of operating systems. The course consists of three major concepts: (1) process management that schedules, executes, synchronizes with events, and terminates your application programs, (2) memory management that loads your programs in memory and allocates/de-allocates memory space they requested dynamically, and (3) file system that provides the mechanism for on-line storage of and access to both data and programs residing on the disks. The course also covers protection, (and security if time is allowed) which are essential to have the modern operating systems work in the Internet computing world. Through the course, we will use Java to illustrate many operating-system concepts. Using Java, you will implement each concept of process management, memory management, and file system. As with most technical courses, besides ability and motivation, it takes time to learn and master the subject. Expect to spend an additional 10 to 15 hours a week outside of class time on average.

Programming Assignments:

• Hardcopy must include your report, program listing, and execution output. Your report must include specifications, explanations, and/or illustrations of algorithm and data structures you used, and summarize your consideration of test results, (i.e., do they make sense?). Note that you do not have to copy all the assignment specification. Use a typewriter font (e.g. courier new) for your source code and execution output.
• Softcopy must be a tar archived file that includes only your source code and any required results. Your code should compile and run properly. Follow the softcopy submission procedure provided with the assignment.
• Assignments are due at the beginning of lecture for both your hardcopy and softcopy on the specified date. No late programs will be accepted unless you provide me with a proof showing that you have been under an emergency circumstance. No matter the circumstances, it is always best to turn in something.
• Grading

Criteria	Percentage
Documentation of your report including required results (explanations, analysis/reasoning, algorithm justifications, insights, evaluation of alternative solutions, test strategy, etc)	30%
Solution (your code satisfies the assignment correctly and you demonstrate a solid understanding of how/why it the solution is correct.   Syntax errors, run-time errors, and/or incorrect results will cause significant deductions from the grade.	50%
Organization of your program and test code (clarity, design, coding style, comments).  Excessive subtlety or cleverness may result in deductions.	20%

Topics covered and tentative 430 spring schedule:

Note that this is an approximate ordering of topics.

Chapters will take about the allotted time and not all sections in all chapters are covered.

Extra topics of interest will be added as time allows.

Week	Date	Topics	Chapters	Due Dates
1	Mar 31	Introduction	1
	Apr 2	OS Structures	2
2	Apr 7	Process Management	3
	Apr 9	Threads	4
3	Apr 14	CPU Scheduling	5
	Apr 16	Process Synchronization	6
4	Apr 21	Real-time	19
	Apr 23	Deadlocks	7
5	Apr 28	Memory Management	8
	Apr 30	Virtual Memory	9
6	May 5	Midterm exam	Covers: 1-7, 19
	May 7	Project Discussions
7	May 12	File-System Interface	10
	May 14	File-System Implementation	11
8	May 19	Mass-Storage Structure	12
	May 21	I/O Systems	13
9	May 26	Protection	14
	May 28	Security	15
10	Jun 2	Catch up		Project Due
	Jun 4	Review
11	Jun 9	Final exam – 8pm

 

Acknowledgments

The materials (including lecture notes and assignments) used in this course may include material from a variety of sources: previous CSS430 courses (e.g. from Profs. Sung & Fukuda), the Windows Academic Program Curriculum Resource Kit, Avi Silberschatz, Russinovich & Solomon, Wikipedia, and others.