Ateneo - UPO

The course deals with the theme of design and implementation of operating systems with regard to two fundamental components of the same, namely:
1) management of input/output peripherals
2) file systems

Andrew S. Tanenbaum & Herbert Bos, "Modern Operating Systems: Global Edition, 5/E", Pearson, 2023. ISBN-13: 9781292459660. Also available in Italian: Andrew S. Tanenbaum & Herbert Bos, "I moderni sistemi operativi, 5/Ed," Pearson, 2023. ISBN: 9788891931955.

State the general principles concerning the functioning, the design
and the creation of the operating system components responsible for managing secondary memories
and I/O devices, with particular reference to the file system and the I/O subsystem.
Analyze the requirements of an operating system to be designed to identify design solutions
and implementations best suited to it.
Knowing how to concretely apply the methodologies and techniques for the design and implementation of
mechanisms and policies for managing secondary storage, I/O devices, and file systems.
Knowing how to describe the fundamental principles of the operation, design and implementation of
device and file system drivers.

Computer Architetture 1 and 2, Operating Systems 1

Classroom lessons in which the fundamental notions are exposed, accompanied by examples.
For each of the two macro-topics of the course (i.e. management of input/output devices and file system)
different design and implementation solutions are compared.
During the lessons in the classroom, various questions typical of the exams are also asked for the various topics covered.
The suggested textbooks are indicated on the DIR platform, and material is available, which follows the topics
treated in class, being of help even for those who were not present.
Some exercises and exam examples are also provided.

To pass the exam, the student has to prove the knowledge of the concepts underlying the operation of I/O devices, of the mechanisms employed by the operating system to manage with the above devices, and of the design and implementation methodologies and techniques for file systems.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam takes place in written form, and consists of a set of questions (both open and closed) on the topics covered in the course.
There will be questions both of a theoretical-methodological nature and of an applicative nature.
The exams will take place, where possible, through the use of IT platforms.
The evaluations will be formulated by means of marks expressed out of thirty, and will be determined by evaluating the following parameters:
a) correctness and completeness of the answers given to the questions making up the exam
b) ability to discursively organize the knowledge inherent in the answers formulated for the questions of a theoretical-methodological nature, as well as the capacity for critical reasoning that is necessary to apply in the formulation of the answers to certain questions
c) ability to correctly apply theoretical-methodological concepts to the formulation of answers to applicative questions
d) quality of the exposure
e) competence in the use of the specialized vocabulary.
During the exam, the consultation of textbooks, teacher's handouts and other teaching material will not be allowed.
The results of the written tests will be communicated by sending a message on the DIR platform.

1) I/O Management: the architecture of the I/O subsystem; I/O interface; kernel I/O subsystems; storage devices; disk structure, management, and scheduling; RAID systems;
2) Device drivers: driver architecture; driver in the xv6 operating system; the IDE driver in the xv6 operating system.
3) File systems: file system organizations; file system structures; file system design and implementation techniques; mechanisms for file sharing and protection; disk free space management; disk space allocation; performance and efficiency of file systems; backup and restore.

Knowledge and understanding: familiarity with the general principles involved
the operation, design and implementation of the system components
operating system responsible for managing secondary memories and I/O devices,
with particular reference to the file system and the I/O subsystem.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: knowing how to apply techniques
of design and implementation of drivers for I/O peripherals and file systems
to realistic scenarios proposed as exercises.

Making judgements: autonomously analyze and evaluate the design and construction solutions
more appropriate in the scenarios proposed as exercises to be carried out autonomously.

Communication skills: being able to communicate and explain, using terminology
formal specification relating to the topics covered in the course, the fundamental principles of operation,
the design and implementation of the operating system components
subject of treatment.

Ability to learn: being able to profitably undertake further studies
on operating systems.