15-440 - Distributed Systems |
Release Date | Due Date | Assignment # | Document |
Sep 09 | Sep 24 | Assignment 1 | PS1 |
Oct 08 | Oct 22 | Assignment 2 | PS2 |
Nov 07 | Nov 19 | Assignment 3 | PS3 |
Nov 28 | Dec 12 | Assignment 4 | PS4 |
The papers/articles/chapters given for reading provide interesting approaches for designing distributed systems. We have chosen classical papers from each topic to make sure that you read a well-known arguments and approaches. Most of the arguments are time-tested and still hold while designing systems. Some may not applicable to present day distributed systems. While critiquing the papers, please keep in mind the current distributed systems that you see. What are your views on these guidelines to present day systems? Try to start with positive thinking while critiquing. It is generally helpful to first understand what and why the author is stating. Then apply your experience and common sense to see if the arguments are valid. Asking yourself the following questions may help while critiquing: Are the principles strong and can you see them being applied to present-day systems. Or has it changed over the years? Are there new principles/papers that are more relevant?
Before you start reading/critiquing: Read the following articles on: (1) how to read research papers, and (2) how to critique a paper. With respect to critiquing, keep the following points in your mind for the above papers (most of the points are taken from the article on "how to critique"):