| Module Code: |
H6COMPSYS |
|
Long Title
|
Computing Systems
|
|
Title
|
Computing Systems
|
| Module Level: |
LEVEL 6 |
| EQF Level: |
5 |
| EHEA Level: |
Short Cycle |
| Module Coordinator: |
Horacio Gonzalez-Velez |
| Module Author: |
Horacio Gonzalez-Velez |
| Departments: |
School of Computing
|
| Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff |
MSc and/or PhD degree in computer science or cognate discipline. May have industry experience also.
|
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| # |
Learning Outcome Description |
| LO1 |
Distinguish between different qualitative design and architectural considerations and their influence in technology, power, and cost of computing systems. |
| LO2 |
Outline and summarise different memory systems. |
| LO3 |
Distinguish between instruction- and data-level parallelism. |
| LO4 |
Discuss different cloud and utility computing models and their ethical application in enterprise environments. |
| Dependencies |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
|
| No recommendations listed |
Co-requisite Modules
|
| No Co-requisite modules listed |
| Entry requirements |
See section 4.2 Entry procedures and criteria for the programme including procedures recognition of prior learning
|
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
|
Quantitative Design and Analysis
Computer Architecture. Classes of Computers.
|
|
Trends
Trends in Technology, Power, and Cost. Dependability.
|
|
Performance
Measuring, Reporting, and Summarising Performance. Performance, Price and Power. Amdahl’s Law. Fallacies and Pitfalls.
|
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Memory Hierarchy
Levels of memory hierarchy. Cache: associativity and optimisations. Main memory. SRAM, DRAM, and SDRAM.
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Memory Systems
Virtual Memory and Virtual Machines.
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Virtual Machines
Virtual Machine monitors. Cache coherency
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Storage Systems
Magnetic and solid-state technologies. Disk arrays and RAID technologies.
|
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Storage Systems
Mean-Time-to-Repair (MTTR) and Mean-Time-To Failure (MTTF).
|
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Warehouse-scale Computers
Programming Models and benchmarks. Workloads. Computer architecture of warehouse-scale computers.
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Cloud Computing I
Concepts for delivering infrastructure and software as a service.
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Cloud Computing II
Physical infrastructure, location, power and ethical considerations for data centres.
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Utility Computing
Total cost of ownership. Influence of server cost and power. CAPEX vs. OPEX.
|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
|---|
| Coursework | 40.00% |
| End of Module Assessment | 60.00% |
AssessmentsFull Time
| Coursework |
| Assessment Type: |
Continuous Assessment |
% of total: |
Non-Marked |
| Assessment Date: |
n/a |
Outcome addressed: |
1,2,3,4 |
| Non-Marked: |
Yes |
Assessment Description:
Ongoing feedback on ongoing tutorial activities.
Feedback on regular reflection. |
|
| Assessment Type: |
Continuous Assessment |
% of total: |
40 |
| Assessment Date: |
n/a |
Outcome addressed: |
4 |
| Non-Marked: |
No |
Assessment Description:
This assessment will evaluate the learners’ knowledge and understanding of cloud utility models with emphasis on its ethical application in enterprise environments.
A marking scheme is provided in Appendices. |
|
| Assessment Type: |
Easter Examination |
% of total: |
60 |
| Assessment Date: |
n/a |
Outcome addressed: |
1,2,3 |
| Non-Marked: |
No |
Assessment Description:
The test will assess learners’ knowledge and understanding of different computer architectures, memory systems and parallelism.
A sample question, marking scheme, and solution, is provided in Appendices. |
|
| No End of Module Assessment |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
|
Reassessment Description
Reassessment of this module will be via proctored examination that assess all learning outcomes.
|
NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours |
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Classroom & Demonstrations (hours) |
24 |
Per Semester |
2.00 |
| Tutorial |
Other hours (Practical/Tutorial) |
12 |
Per Semester |
1.00 |
| Independent Learning |
Independent learning (hours) |
89 |
Per Semester |
7.42 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
3.00 |
Module Resources
| Recommended Book Resources |
|---|
-
Hennessy, J & D, Patterson.. (2017), Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach (6th ed), Morgan Kaufmann, Amsterdam.
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Marinescu, D. C.. (2017), Cloud Computing: Theory and Practice (2nd ed), Morgan Kaufmann, Amsterdam.
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
|---|
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Brookshear, G. & Brylow, D.. (2014), Computer Science: An Overview (12th ed), Pearson.
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Englander, I.. (2014), The Architecture of Computer Hardware, Systems Software, and Networking: An Information Technology Approach (5th ed), John Wiley & Sons.
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Hennessy, J. & Patterson, D.. (2014), Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface, Morgan Kaufmann, Amsterdam.
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Hwang, K., Dongarra, J. J. & Fox, G.. (2011), Distributed And Cloud Computing: Clusters, Grids, Clouds, and The Future Internet, : Morgan Kaufmann, San Francisco, Calif.
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Shafarenko, A. & Hunt, S. P.. (2017), Computing platforms. School of Computer Science, University of Hertfordshire, UK..
| | This module does not have any article/paper resources |
|---|
| This module does not have any other resources |
|---|
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