Unit description brought up to date during review

This is a third year CSSE elective in the Bachelor of Computing degree. There is also a 4 point version called CSE3031.

At the end of this unit, students will have knowledge of:

• Network issues
• Database systems in the context of client-server
• Issues affecting the choice of client server hardware and software platforms.
• Database Engines in a client-server environment.

At the end of this unit, students will have an understanding of:

• Usage of the term "client/server"
• Components of client/server systems.
• System design for client-server systems
• Connectivity (ODBC/JDBC, CORBA/IIOP and TCP/IP protocols);

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

• Compare different client platforms (Linux/UNIX/Motif, Windows NT, Netscape and Internet Explorer) and server platforms (file server, database server, minicomputers, mainframe, distributed servers, MPPs, remote servers).
• Use software tools including GUI tools; 4GL tools (Oracle JDeveloper), JDBC
• Use a client/server database systems (Oracle)
• Develop successful client/server applications as demonstrated by the development of both a 2 Tier and 3 Tier client-server application
• Identify alternative client-server solutions to problems, particularly with relation to cost and performance
• Write a research paper to demonstrate understanding of a research topic in the client-server domain

This subject aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding and practical experience in the use of the various components required to develop successful client-server applications. Both theoretical and practical approaches will be presented to the problems of building client-server applications. Topics include usage of the term 'client-server'; components of client-server systems, comparison of different client platforms (Linux/UNIX Motif, Windows NT, Netscape and Internet Explorer), network issues; comparison of different server platforms (file server, database server, minicomputers, mainframe, distributed servers, MPPs, remote servers). Students use software tools including GUI tools and 4GL tools and a client/server database system, and understand connectivity options.

Prescribed Text:

• Alonso, G., Cusati, F., Kuno, H. and Machiraju, V. (2004) Web Services Concepts, Architectures and Applications, Springer.

Recommended Texts:

• Coulouris, G., Dollimore, J. and Kindberg, T. (2001) Distributed Systems - Concepts and Design, Third Edition, Addison-Wesley.
• Ozsu, M.T., and Valduriez, O. (1999) Principles of Distributed Database Systems, Second Edition, Prentice-Hall

• Examination: 2 hours, 50%
• Assignments: two practical assignments worth 50% in total

Examination:

A final examination of 2 hours duration and worth 50% of the unit assessment will test students understanding of the topics covered in lectures.(objectives 1-9)

Practical Work:

Students will be required to undertake two practical assignments worth 50% in total towards the total unit assessment. Skills objectives will be assessed through practical assignments which will require the students to use the tools provided by the development environment to build an interface to Client/Server database applications developed by them. They will also be required to write a research paper on a topic in the client/server domain.

a maximum of one lecturer and 2 tutors in any semester.

• Software Title:
• Vendor:
• Version:
• OS: MS Windows XP ( ) and/or LINUX ( )
• License Details: (A valid software license certificate/s or Vendor permission must be available upon request if the software is to be installed for teaching)
• Are we currently licensed: Yes ( ) or No ( ) (If unsure, please check with your local IT support )
• If (Yes), who is the contact person for this software?:
• If (No), will the software license be arranged by: Staff member requesting the software ( ) or Technical Services* ( ) ? *If the latter is selected, please discuss your requirement/s with myself ASAP, prior to finalising your request, as there could be financial or resourcing implications.
• Is the software to be installed and accessed from a: Client/Workstation ( ), or Server ( ) ?
• Type of license: Site License ( ), Freeware ( ), FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) ( ), Shareware ( ), Lab based ( ) # of Licenses needed ____
• In what week will you commence using the software in class? Semester 1 (Week ___ ) and/or Semester 2 (Week ___ ):
• Nominated Staff For Acceptance Testing Software: (Name) (Phone) (Email)
• Additional Information: Special Requirements, Software Configuration/Installation Requirements, etc:

One computer laboratory for 2 hours per week per tutorial group. The number of tutorial groups will depend on the unit's enrolment with a maximum of sixteen students in each tutorial group. Current estimate is 4 tutorials.

One lecture theatre for 2 hours per week.

CSE2132 or equivalent