MAT 2051 Unit 7 DQ1 Computer Networks, Distributed Systems, and Mobile Agents

MAT 2051 Unit 7 DQ1 Computer Networks, Distributed Systems, and Mobile Agents

Question

MAT 2051 Discrete Mathematics

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.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.

Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.

One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.

I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.

Weekly Participation

Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.

In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.

Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).

Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.

APA Format and Writing Quality

Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).

Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.

I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.

Use of Direct Quotes

I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.

As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.

It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.

Lopes Write Policy

For assignments that need to be submitted to Lopes Write, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.

Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.

Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?

Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.

Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.

If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.

I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.

As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:

Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.

Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.