Hi Class,

This week you should read chapters 8 and 9.

Chapter 8

Suggestions

  1. From the beginning it is important to distinguish between system and application software.
  2. Have a close look at the system software components shown in Figure 8-1. Think about the interaction between different software modules.
  3. Think about ways in which a file server can be optimized to provide optimum performance. Items you should be looking for are processor speed, memory, disk speed, disk caching, optimized seeking, simultaneous seeking on multiple disks, multithreading, and so on.
  4. The redirector function in a workstation is similar in nature to the redirection of print data done by a spooler.
  5. Multithreading is an important server capability. Think about a supermarket checkout line or a barber shop as an instance of a single threading and a restaurant waiter as an instance of multithreading. If waiters are single threaded and could only serve one table until the meal was finished what would dining out be like?
  6. If it is possible investigate some PC LANs and determine the functions they provide. Of special interest is how they share data and if any mechanisms are in place for security and contention resolution. Determine which software systems, operating systems, and applications are supported. Which are not supported and why? This might be a good subject to share your results with the class (Optional).
  7. Backup systems are important LAN subsystems. Installations have different backup and recovery requirements. To illustrate this you might configure the backup hardware and a backup strategy for the following applications:
    1. a microcomputer laboratory at a university
    2. a legal firm that uses the LAN for creating and maintaining legal documents
    3. a department engaged in software development and where individual

developers are expected to maintain backups of their personal work

This is also a good place to share your results with the class (Optional).

  1. Most of you are familiar with stand-alone microcomputer software. Sharing software and data

    2. Creates new issues that must be addressed. These issues are also found in database

    Management systems and in operating systems. There are parallels to these systems.

  2. Search the internet for license agreements for several products and go over the details.

Compare provisions of each. Go over the costs and provisions for use on a LAN. Calculate the licensing cots of one software system for a hypothetical student LAN with 55 workstations. (Share your results with the class. (Optional)

The work of the Software Publishers Association (SPA) headquartered in Washington, D.C. is very interesting. The SPA has investigated several universities and companies for license violations license violations and several companies found to be in violation have paid large fines. Some of these cases have been highly publicized to show the industry that license violation can be costly.

EXECISES

1.;2.;3.;4.and10.

Due date: 28 DEC 1999

Open for discussions: 29 DEC 1999

CHAPTER 9

SUGGESTIONS
    1. Consider situations in which each of the LAN alternatives would be viable. Some issues you should address include cost, training, ease of use, and reliability to solve the company's problems.
    2. If there are students in the class who have gone through the process of LAN selection please share your experience with the class. (Optional)

EXERCISES

1.;2.and 3.

Due date: 28 Dec 1999

Open for discussions: 29 DEC 1999