This module focuses on principles and techniques for network computing. Topics to be covered in this module include Object- Oriented Software Engineering, Object- Oriented Programming with Java, Network Computing Models such as Client/Server Model and Peer-to-Peer Model, Socket Programming, Remote Procedure Call (RPC), Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI), Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), Web Computing Technologies (Java Servlet, Java Server Pages), Message Exchanging with XML, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), XML based Web Services (WSDL, SOAP, UDDI).

The main aims of the module are to introduce the fundamental theory that enables what is achievable through the use of Security Engineering to be determined, and to present the practical techniques and algorithms that are currently important for the efficient and secure use of distributed /Grid computing systems. Topics to be covered in this module include Introduction to Security Engineering, Classical Cryptography (Monoalphabetic and Polyalphabetic Ciphers, Transposition, Substitution, Linear Transformation), Computational Fundamentals of Cryptosystems (Computational Complexity and Intractability, Modular Arithmetic and Elementary Number Theory), Modern Symmetric Key Cryptography (Feistel Ciphers, DES, Triple-DES and AES), Public Key Cryptography (The Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange Algorithm, Public Key Infrastructures, X.509 Certificates, PK Systems such as RSA and Elliptic Curves), Multilevel Security (the Bell-LaPadula Security Policy Model, the
Biba Model, the NRL Pump), Multilateral Security (Compartmentation and the Lattice Model, the Chinese Wall, the BMA Model), Protecting e-Commerce Systems.

This module advances knowledge on computer networks. Topics to be covered in this module include OSI reference model, Physical and Data Link Layer Protocols, TCP/IP Networking, IPV6, Routing Protocols, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Networks, Packet Delay and Queuing Analysis, IP Quality of Services (Integrated Service Model and Differentiated Service Model), Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP), Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), IP Multicasting, Network Application Layer Protocols such as HTTP, DNS, SNMP.

The main aim of the module is to present a comprehensive evaluation of the design philosophies, fundamental constructs, performance issues and operational principles of distributed systems architectures, covering applications, algorithms and software architecture, engineering issues and implementation technology. Topics to be covered in this module include System Architecture (Bus Systems, High Performance I/O, Memory Hierarchies, Memory Coherence and File Coherence), Distributed Database, Processor Architecture, File Services, Inter-Process Communication, Naming Services, Resource Allocation and Scheduling, Distributed System Case Studies.

The aims of this module are to introduce the principle, concepts and practice of Grid middleware technologies, and to provide a practical knowledge on developing Grid applicatons. Topics to be covered in this module include Parallel Computing Paradigms, Parallel Programming with MPI/PVM, Cluster Computing Principles (Condor, Sun Grid Engine), Grid Computing Middleware Components (Job Submission, Resource Management and Job Scheduling, Information Service, Grid Portal, Grid Security Infrastructure), Grid Standards (OGSA/WSRF), Grid Middleware Case Study with Globus.

The aim of this module is to analyse representative production Grid systems and gain knowledge on how to design and optimise large-scale Grid systems. Topics to be covered in this module include System Analysis Methodologies with UML, Model Construction (Process Modelling, Static Class Modelling, Dynamic Modelling, Interface Modelling), Management of Large-Scale Grid System (Portal, Concurrent Version System (CVS)/Wiki), Grid System Analysis Case Study (GridPP, LCG/EGEE), Grid System Design (Performance Consideration, Open Standards, Design Patterns, Usuability Analysis), Grid System Programming Models, Testing (Unit Testing, Integration Testing, Regression Testing), Debugging, Risk Analysis, System Maintenance.

The main aims of this module are to help students develop skills in project management, and to build the capabilities for teamwork.

Workshop 1: Object-Oriented Programming, Java Socket Programming
Workshop 2: Network Security and Encryption
Workshop 3: TCP/IP Network Layered Protocol Analysis
Workshop 4: Java RMI Programming for Distributed Systems
Workshop 5: Grid Programming with Globus Toolkit 4 (GT4)
Workshop 6: Grid System Analysis/Simulation

The project (dissertation) can be selected by the student with supervisor support and where possible will involve work with the student’s company or research group. The student presents an original treatment of the topic, comprising practical and theoretical components.