The course covers basic models for distributed systems, interprocess communication and how one handles synchronisation, consistency, replication, fault tolerance and safety in a distributed system. The course consists of a series of lectures and seminars that include practical assignments. Programming assignments illustrate problems in the course.
ID2201 Distributed Systems, Basic Course 7.5 credits
Information per course offering
Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.
Information for Autumn 2026 Start 24 Aug 2026 programme students
- Course location
KTH Campus
- Duration
- 24 Aug 2026 - 23 Oct 2026
- Periods
Autumn 2026: P1 (7.5 hp)
- Pace of study
50%
- Application code
10752
- Form of study
Normal Daytime
- Language of instruction
English
- Course memo
- Course memo is not published
- Number of places
Min: 1
- Target group
- Open to all programmes as long as it can be included in your programme.
- Planned modular schedule
- [object Object]
- Schedule
- Schedule is not published
- Part of programme
- No information inserted
Contact
Course syllabus as PDF
Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.
Course syllabus ID2201 (Autumn 2021–)Headings with content from the Course syllabus ID2201 (Autumn 2021–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
Intended learning outcomes
After the course, students should be able to:
- explain important properties of distributed systems
- describe architecture and logical model of a distributed system
- explain and compare strategies for interprocess communication
- explain and compare models for so-called “middleware”
- explain and compare naming services
- explain the concept of logical time
- use logical time to implement distributed algorithms.
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
Knowledge in parallel programming, 7.5 higher education credits, equivalent to completed course ID1212 or ID1019.
Active participation in a course offering where the final examination is not yet reported in LADOK is considered equivalent to completion of the course.
Registering for a course is counted as active participation.
The term 'final examination' encompasses both the regular examination and the first re-examination.
Literature
You can find information about course literature either in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.
Examination and completion
Grading scale
A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Examination
- TEN1 - Examination, 6.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
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.
Other requirements for final grade
The examination consists of a written examination and practical assignments at seminar sessions. Assignments should be carried out and be presented, when they are timetabled. The final grade is based on the written examination and the practical assignments.
Examiner
Ethical approach
- 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.
Further information
Course room in Canvas
Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.
Offered by
Main field of study
Information Technology, Computer Science and Engineering
Education cycle
Second cycle
Supplementary information
In this course, the EECS code of honor applies, see: http://www.kth.se/en/eecs/utbildning/hederskodex.