28 Dec DQ1 Computer Networks,

MAT2051 Discrete Mathematics

Unit 7 Discussion

DQ1 Computer Networks, Distributed Systems, and Mobile Agents

Computer networks typically consist of nodes and edges—they are graphs. The nodes can typically be computers, routers, servers, and so on. The edges indicate a communication path between nodes. Assume you are a network administrator for a distributed system and that you wish to perform maintenance of all the servers in your system. You have decided to do this by using a mobile agent. To get started, look up and answer the questions in Part 1. After that, complete Part 2:

Part 1

What is a distributed system?

What is a mobile agent?

Since this agent is autonomous and moves from computer to computer, it would be smart to equip it with shortest path algorithms, so that it can go from server to server, reaching all the servers only once, in the shortest amount of time. This is the traveling sales person (TSP) problem. Note that computer networks can be modeled using graphs and that shortest paths solutions, Hamilton cycles, TSP, and so on can be found using graph-based algorithms.

Part 2

How would you model a computer network using a graph? What are potential nodes, edges, and weights?

Which of these traversal algorithms should the agent be equipped with? Which will help the agent traverse the network in an efficient manner? Explain why.

What is the TSP problem, and how does it relate to this question?

Review the Discussion Participation Scoring Guide prior to posting.

Response Guidelines

Read your peers’ posts and respond to two. Compare your response to your peer’s response. Did you come up with the same results? Explain why or why not.

DQ2 Practice Problem Set Review

This discussion allows you to work with your peers to complete and understand the assigned problem set for this unit. Remember, two initial posts and two response posts are required. Further posts are optional and recommended:

For the first post, select a problem from this unit’s problem set, write it out fully, solve it fully, and post it.

The second post can be a problem you cannot solve or another fully solved problem from the problem set. If there is a problem in the problem set that you are confused about, write it out fully and show any work that you have started. Note that you are stuck and ask for help. If you are able to solve every problem in the set without difficulty, post at least one other fully solved problem from the set as your second post.

The third and fourth posts are responses. Response guidelines are provided below and in every discussion.

Take advantage of this discussion area to work together as a class on the problem set. Post as many problems as you can and review as many of your peers’ posts as you can. Ask questions. Offer answers. If you are stuck on a problem, post your question. Working as a team will help each person gain a better understanding of the problem set and the concepts covered in this unit. Although the problem sets are not graded they will help you prepare for the quizzes in this course.

Response Guidelines

The third and fourth posts, the response posts, are your chance to help your peers. Explore the posts made by your peers and find people who are stuck. Help at least two peers through the problems they are stuck on. If you are unable to locate a peer who is stuck, you may instead choose a peer post, write out your solution to the same problem, and compare solutions and methods. The goal of this area is for the entire class to work together as a group on the entire problem set. You are also expected to complete and understand the problem set on your own in preparation for the quizzes and final exam.