Overview

Datacenters form infrastructure that supports most modern applications. This class covers the building blocks of datacenetrs in three units: starting from servers, moving on to networks that connect them, to systems that manage whole clusters. In each unit, the class will cover the hardware, software, and algorithms developed uniquely for the datacenter context. Students will conduct a semester-long project to apply the concepts they learn in class and gain hands-on experience with datacenetr systems.

• Instructor: Ahmed Saeed (He/Him) - KACB 3338
• Class time and location: TR 9:30 am - 10:45 am / CCB 53
• Office hours: On demand (link on Canvas)

Grading

• Project (65%) - Each student (or group of up to two students) will work on a research-orineted project on a topic related to datacenter networks and systems which can leverage real infrastructure like Cloudlab or simulators like ns-3 or ZSim.
• Homework Assignments (20%)
• Paper summaries (10%) - Each week, students will be asked to summarize a single paper on a topic related to that week's topics. The summary is a 500-word summary of the paper including strengths, weaknesses, and potential extensions of the paper.
• Participation (5%)

Policies

Course Conduct

The standard of conduct in this class is the GT Code of Honor (here) and we should all follow the GT Student-Faculty Expectations (here).

Late Policy

For every late day, students lose 10% of the grade for the late assignment with a maximum of two days.

Policy on Collaboration Between Students

Feel free (indeed, you are encouraged) to ask questions on Piazza or offline about assigned readings and projects. Feel free (indeed, you are encouraged) to answer each other's questions.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with learning needs that require special accommodation, contact the Office of Disability Services at (404) 894-2563 or http://disabilityservices.gatech.edu/, as soon as possible, to make an appointment to discuss your special needs and to obtain an accommodations letter. Please also email me as soon as possible in order to set up a time to discuss your learning needs.