17926 - Operating Systems L-A

Learning outcomes

It is requested a fair confidence with C and Java programming languages.

Outcomes:

• knowledge on fundamentals of operating systems theory
• unix/linux system programming ability
  
• ability of developing concurrent programs in the linux environment
• ability of developing concurrent programs using the java language
  

Course contents

1. Introduction
Role, functionality and organization of the operating system.
Operating systems historical evolution.
O.S architecture: monolitic kernel vs. microkernel approach; virtual machines, modular OS.
The architecture of Unix/Linux.

2. Processes
The role of the OS in process management.
Processes and threads: representation, management and interaction.
CPU scheduling.
Unix process management.
Thread management in Linux and in Java.

3. Process syncronization
Concurrent programs; precedence graphs.
Processes and resources. Deadlock.

The shared memory model:
The mutual exclusion problem.
The semaphore; semaphore implementation in mono-processor and multi-processor architectures.
The monitor and its implementation.
Thread synchronization in the Linux programming environment; thread synchronization in Java.

The message passing model:
Message passing classification.
Asynchronous send; synchronous send; RPC.
Signals.
Interaction among Unix processes: pipe, fifo and signals.

4. Memory management
Classification of techniques for memory allocation. Paging and segmentation.
Virtual memory..
Memory management in Unix/Linux.

5. I/O management
The architecture of the I/ O subsystem. Device drivers.
I/O management through program control, interrupts and DMA.

Readings/Bibliography

P. Ancilotti, M. Boari, A. Ciampolini, G. Lipari: Sistemi Operativi, 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill,  2004
P.Ancilotti, M.Boari: "Programmazione Concorrente e Distribuita", McGraw-Hill, 2006.

Teaching methods

Lectures will take into account both theoretical and implementative issues about modern operating systems.
Practical issues will be deepened  via individual concurrent programming practice in  laboratory.

Assessment methods

Final verification will take into account the results of:

• A written examination, consisting in the development of concurrent programs in Unix/Linux and Java environments
• An oral examination.

Teaching tools

Use of a videoprojector for showing slides.

Lab hours:
each student can use a personal computer for practice (two hours/week, during lab hours)

Links to further information

http://lia.deis.unibo.it/Courses/sola0809-info/

Office hours

See the website of Anna Ciampolini