Both authors have taught the course of "Distributed Systems" for many
years in the respective schools. During the teaching, we feel strongly
that "Distributed systems" have evolved from traditional "LAN" based
distributed systems towards "Internet based" systems. Although there
exist many excellent textbooks on this topic, because of the fast
development of distributed systems and network programming/protocols, we
have difficulty in finding an appropriate textbook for the course of
"distributed systems" with orientation to the requirement of the
undergraduate level study for today's distributed technology.
Specifically, from - to-date concepts, algorithms, and models to
implementations for both distributed system designs and application
programming. Thus the philosophy behind this book is to integrate the
concepts, algorithm designs and implementations of distributed systems
based on network programming. After using several materials of other
textbooks and research books, we found that many texts treat the
distributed systems with separation of concepts, algorithm design and
network programming and it is very difficult for students to map the
concepts of distributed systems to the algorithm design, prototyping and
implementations. This book intends to enable readers, especially
postgraduates and senior undergraduate level, to study up-to-date
concepts, algorithms and network programming skills for building modern
distributed systems. It enables students not only to master the concepts
of distributed network system but also to readily use the material
introduced into implementation practices.
