Course Title: Cloud Infrastructures

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Cloud Infrastructures

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COSC2642

City Campus

Postgraduate

140H Computer Science & Information Technology

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2016

COSC2642

City Campus

Postgraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2017

Course Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Ibrahim Khalil

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2879

Course Coordinator Email: ibrahim.khalil@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Enforced Prerequisite: None

Required prior study: None

Assumed knowledge:  The course assumes that students have basic understanding of the followings:

 • Basics of Data Communications and Networking Technologies

 • Understanding of college level (or first year undergrad type) Mathematics

 • Ability to write technical reports

• Ability of code in any preferred programming/scripting languages (e.g. Java or C or PHP/Python etc.)

Note it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course.

For your information the RMIT Course Requisites policy can be found at Course requisites see http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=twx09y07zi1c


Course Description

Cloud computing enables access via the Internet to a pool of computing resources owned and managed by service providers using  server virtualization technology. The “cloud infrastructure” is composed of hardware, storage, networks, interfaces, and services that provide the means through which users access the infrastructure, computing power, applications, and services on demand and independent of location. Cloud computing usually involves the transfer, storage, and processing of information on the provider’s infrastructure, which is outside the customer’s control (Ref: Cloud Computing: A Records and Information Management Perspective,  IEEE SECURITY & PRIVACY, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011, pp 63-66)

This course covers  emerging issues and technologies related to Cloud Infrastructure. We will learn design  principles for building energy efficient, highly available, reliable secure cloud infrastructure. Topics include: Large Datacentres and IaaS, Networking and Load Balancing in Cloud Datacentre, Energy Efficiency and cooling of Large  Cloud Infrastructure, Availability/Relaibility of Infrastructure resources, access protocols and Homomorphic Cryptography  for secure Cloud Infrastructure, Exascale systems, Big Data and Resource provisioning  in modern cloud infrastructure.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

 

This course contributes to the following program learning outcomes:

PLO1: Knowledge - Apply a broad and coherent set of knowledge and skills for developing user-centric computing solutions for contemporary societal challenges.

PLO2: Problem Solving - Apply systematic problem solving and decision-making methodologies to identify, design and implement computing solutions to real world problems, demonstrating the ability to work independently to self-manage processes and projects.

PLO4: Communication - Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, employing a range of communication methods in interactions to both computing and non-computing personnel.

PLO5: Collaboration and Teamwork - Demonstrate effective teamwork and collaboration by using tools and practices to manage and meet project deliverables.


This course will focus on learning  emerging issues related to Cloud infrastructures and Large Datacentres.  Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Learn about Hypervisor &Virtual Compute Environment, Networking and Load Balancing Issues for Cloud Datacentre Design.  Learn Availability, Reliability, and Scalability of resources in Cloud Datacentre
  2. Learn Energy Efficiency, Distribution, Optimization, Cooling of Large Cloud Infrastructure
  3. Analyse secure interactions and access protocols between users and Cloud Infrastructure. Learn traditional cryptographic security protocols, their applications and pitfalls in securing cloud infrastructure.  Investigate how to apply Homomorphic Cryptography to secure applications   hosted by Cloud   Infrastructure
  4. Learn about future Exascale systems with millions of nodes supporting powerful Cloud Infrastructure and Big Data Analytics
  5. Analyse resource provisioning and performance of multi-server systems in Cloud   Infrastructure
  6. Identify critical issues in Cloud Infrastructure design and resolve and redesign. Identify significant research issues for future Cloud Infrastructure/Datacentre and propose new solutions.


Overview of Learning Activities

 

  • Key concepts will be explained in lectures covering emerging topics on efficient and secure cloud infrastructure design. In total, there will be 12 lectures. 
  • Every week (except the first week) a  tutorial class will reinforce the concepts taught in the lectures and discuss common problems.
  • Journal/Conference/Magazine articles will be provided to the students for in-depth understanding of the topics covered in the lectures and tutorials.
  • During the lectures and tutorials students will encouraged to ask questions, give opinions and discuss innovative ideas to create stimulating teaching & learning environment.
  • Assignments will include options like comprehensive report writing (topics may include efficient energy management of datacentre, scalable design of datacentre etc.) or practical works related to cloud infrastructure design using google or amazon.
  • Students are encouraged to discuss the assignment topics, show incremental progress and receive feedback from the lecturer during consultations. This will enhance their chances of receiving good marks in the assignments.
  • Students may also use online forums to discuss any course related materials.


Overview of Learning Resources

You will make extensive use of computer laboratories and relevant software provided by the School. You will be able to access course information and learning materials through myRMIT. Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible Internet sites will be provided.


Overview of Assessment

 

The assessment for this course comprises assignment works involving comprehensive report writing and practical works related to cloud infrastructure design using google or amazon, and a final exam.

The assessment is: 

Examination: 50% --  this assignment assesses CLOS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Assignments: 50% 

The Assignment component comprises: 
- Assignment One: 15%  -- this assignment assesses CLOS 1, 2, 3
- Assignment Two: 35%  --  this assignment assesses CLOS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

To attain a pass in the course, students are required to obtain 50%, and there is no hurdle.