ECE 579 - Advanced Topics in Computer Engineering: Peer-to-Peer Computing

Fall 2001


Course Overview


Course Objective:

The objective of this course is to study the state-of-the-art in peer-to-peer computing. As computers become ubiquitous, ideas for implementation and use of peer-to-peer computing are developing rapidly and gaining prominence. Peer-to-peer computing is the sharing of computer resources and services by direct exchange between systems. These resources and services include the exchange of information, processing cycles, cache storage, and disk storage for files. Peer-to-peer computing takes advantage of existing desktop computing power and networking connectivity, allowing economical clients to leverage their collective power to benefit the entire enterprise. This course will investigate and evaluate current projects, technologies and trends.

Instructor:

Manish Parashar, 
CoRE 504
(732) 445-5388
parashar@ece.rutgers.edu

Office Hours: Fridays, 9:00 AM - 10 AM

When/Where:

Fridays, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, CoRE 538

Recommended Prerequisites:

  1. ECE 563: Computer Architecture I
  2. ECE 566: Parallel and Distributed Computing
  3. ECE 567: Software Engineering

Recommended Readings:

  1. Peer-to-Peer : Harnessing the Power of Disruptive Technologies by Andy Oram (Editor), O'Reilly & Associates; ISBN: 059600110X
  2. Additional course reading will consist for current research journals, conference proceedings, online publications and specifications,  and technical reports.

Course Description:

This course aims to provide an environment for research and discovery encouraging open discussion and exchange of ideas. The course will consist of two parts – class discussion and projects. Each student (or a group of 2 students) will commit to studying and leading the discussion on current peer-to-peer computing projects and technologies (Napster, Gnutella, Freenet, etc.). Projects will consist of evaluating current peer-to-peer  technologies (JXTA, SOAP, CORBA, etc)  and their ability to support wide area resource sharing, collaboration, and global computing. The course grade will be based on the class presentations, projects and a final paper summarizing the projects.

Grading Policy:

Presentations (3): 45%
Project: 45%
Participation: 10%


Manish Parashar, parashar@ece.rutgers.edu
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Rutgers University