FIS3200 Parallel Computer Systems 10.0 credits

• Hardware: Architecture of bus-based symmetric multiprocessors (SMPs) and scalable distributed memory multiprocessors (NUMA): cache coherency, memory consistency, synchronization and bus and interconnection network design.
• Software: Models of parallel computation and  parallel programming environments, in particular OpenMP (shared memory) and MPI (Message Passing). Parallel algorithms and problem decomposition techniques.
• Performance: performance aspects of parallel programs, the program’s interaction with the architecture and performance models (analytic and simulation models).
• Practical part: hand-in assignment which can be parallel programming on a real parallel computer, an architecture study or a combination.

The goals of this course is that the student should:

• understand and be competent in formulating problems for parallel programming,
• have knowledge about the principles of the design of modern parallel computer systems, and
• understand how the performance of a parallel computer is affected by:
  - the particular system architecture,
  - the partitioning of an application and the programming model

In addition, the student should be able to plan and carry out a smaller research project.

Accepted to doctoral studies in computer, software, communication or electronic systems, or similar.

Will be announced on the course web page one month before course start.

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

All written reports will be checked for plagiarism.

• PRO1 - Project, 6 cr, grade scale: P/F
• TEN1 - Examination, 4 cr, grade scale: P/F

Examination will take place in conjunction with a master level course IS2200 Parallel computer systems. A level of grade C on these examinations are required for a passing grade on this course.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.