2020-2021 / INFO2057-1

Principles of operating systems

Duration

15h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in architecture of computer systems (120 ECTS)2 crédits 

Lecturer

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course aims at introducing the concepts and basic mechanisms of modern operating systems.
The emphasis is on principles, but also on practice, so as to illustrate key concepts in a practical context.
The course will cover:


  • Introduction / background: brief reminder of computers organization and structures of computer systems; general operation of a CPU, assembly langage, micro-code, interrupts, multi-programming; OS as a service; OS as a resources manager; general organization of an OS.
  • Process Management: Process as abstraction of computer processing; Processes, threads, and multithreading; inter-process communication; scheduling.
  • Memory management: Allocation Strategies (swapping, paging, segmentation); dynamic relocation of addresses; virtual memory.
  • Input / Ouput: Device; Principles of I / O hardware; Principles of I / O software; interfacing; device-manager.
  • Data storage management: filesystem structure; mounting file systems management; file system implementation; protection mechanisms; network file systems.
  • Introduction to Virtualization: Virtualization systems; paravirtualization; virtualization of the operating system kernel

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

  • Learning principles, basic concepts and organization of operating systems .
  • Life skills in system monitoring.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

None
Having used a computer at least once prior to this course is an asset.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course will consist of ex cathedra lessons to expose the basic principles and theories ; and of student work putting into practice the concepts studied .

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Weekly face-to-face lessons. Laboratories in face-to-face or in distance-learning.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Recommended or required readings

Recommended readings: Operating System Concepts; Silberschatz, Galvin, Gagne; Wiley. Operating Systems Design and Implementation; Tannenbaum, Woodhull; Prentice Hall.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Oral exam for the theoretical part.
Evaluations during the year (and/or during the exam session) for the practical part.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Coordinators : Samuel Hiard(S.Hiard@ulg.ac.be and )Laurent Mathy(laurent.mathy@ulg.ac.be)