Problem Set 1

Problem Set #1
Fall, 2009
Assigned: Tuesday, August 25
Due: Tuesday (noon), September 1
Total Points: 20

Please submit your answers in PDF format via email to kafura@cs.vt.edu.

1. (4 points) Write a one page statement that describes: (a) your background and preparation for this course, and (b) your motivation and goals in taking this course. Also include a photo of yourself if possible.

2. (6 points) The scheduler activation paper notes that the user-level thread library may ask the kernel to preempt a thread running in a given scheduler activiation.
(a) Explain why the user-level thread library might make such a request.
(b) Describe in reasonable detail the sequence of events related to scheduler activiations that result from this request. Use diagrams to help illustrate the sequence.

3. (6 points) This question relates to the paper "The Problem with Threads" by Edward A. Lee (available on our web site) and the video presentation by Lee (available on our web site).
(a) What is Lee's fundamental criticism of threads?
(b) What is Lee's fundamental solution to the problem he sees with threads?
(c) What are the basic elements of a Kahn process network?

4. (4 points) State two insightful questions for discussion in class about Capriccio based on your reading of the paper available on our web site.