Computer Science
Advanced Computer Architecture
COMPSCI 703 S1 C
Special Offering for 2008
As offered in 2006 and before, Advanced Computer Architecture required a strong background in computer organization, including CS313 or equivalent. This year's offering is focused on a more narrow topic: Transactional Memory, the next big thing for programming multicore (multiprocessor) computers.
There are hardware methods for supporting Transactional Memory and there are software methods. The first announcement for hardware support for transactional memory was for Sun's next-generation multi-core processor, Rock, available later this year or early in 2009. Hardware is fast and provides maximum concurrency, but cannot handle some transactions. Software can handle all transactions but is very slow, currently too slow to be practical. Hybrid systems offer the promise of the best of both worlds, but are only just emerging.
This paper will explore both hardware and software solutions, as well as hybrid approaches. A major component of the course will be a project involving the development or use of a transactional memory system, hardware, software, or hybrid. Thus knowledge of computer organization will be highly useful, but not critical.
There will be an initial review of computer organization, focused particularly at what is needed to understanding how TM hardware works. It would be great if you've taken CompSci313 Computer Organization. You can definitely use that knowledge for your project. But if you haven't, you should be comfortable with the computer at the level of assembly language and have some idea of what an ALU is, though not necessarily be able to design one.
Lecturer
James Goodman Email: <goodman@cs.auckland.ac.nz>
Recommended Preparation
COMPSCI 313 or SOFTENG 363 Computer Organization (Useful)
COMPSCI 340 or SOFTENG 370 Operating Systems (Useful)
Scheduled Lecture Times
3-4pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays
Recommended Texts
Larus & Rajwar, Transactional Memory, 2007, Morgan & Claypool (available online).
Seeking Assistance
Assistance can be obtained from course lecturers during their published office hours. The Department of Computer Science also has a team of support staff (see the posters around the labs for support contacts) who are happy to provide guidance on more general issues to do with your study in computer science.
Catching up on missed lectures
If you miss a lecture, you should catch up as soon as possible by referring to the corresponding lecture notes. However, you should also check with the instructor about the material that was covered, because the lecture notes are just a sketch of the topic, not a complete summary of the class discussion. If you miss the deadline for an assignment and have a valid reason, you should see the instructor immediately.
If you miss the exam for any valid reason, or you sit the exam but believe that your performance was impaired for some reason, then you may be able to apply for an aegrotat, compassionate or special pass consideration. For more detailed information, refer to the University of Auckland's 2004 Calendar, pages 33 - 36.
Assessment
- Final exam is worth 60%.
- Assignments, including a major project, are worth 25%.
- A test, to be given in-class on a date to be announced, is worth 10%.
- Class participation is worth 5%.
Mid-semester Test
A 1-hour test is set to be given on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM (in class). The test is open book, open notes, no computers or communication devices.
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