HOMEWORK 2

Due Date: Monday, February 21, 2005

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Spring Semester, 2005

CSCE 488: Computer Engineering Professional Development

Problem 1. Find and then read carefully the paper, “Optimizing probe-based storage,” by Ivan Dramaliev and Tara Madhyastha. In Proceedings of the Second USENIX Conference on File and Storage Technologies (FAST), pages 103–114, San Francisco, CA, March 2003. Then do the following exercises independently. Submit well-documented solutions in electronic form (pdf)

(a) Write an abstract: After you finish reading the paper, describe in your own words the content of the article, limiting yourself to no more than eight sentences.

(b) Summarize, in your own words, what probe-based storage is, and its difference from conventional storage technology?

(c) Using the any available tools to search for 5 papers on MEMS storage devices. Submit the list in attachment to your solutions.

(d) Using the Research Index (Citeseer), http://researchindex.com/, find five most recent papers (from any source – journals, conferences, or technical reports) that the MEMS storage technology and/or devices.

Problem 2. Find and then read carefully the paper, “Validity of the Single Processor Approach to Achieving Large Scale Computing Capabilities,” by Gene M. Amdahl. Then do the following exercises independently. Submit well-documented solutions in electronic form (pdf).

(e) Write an abstract: After you finish reading the paper, describe in your own words the content of the article, limiting yourself to no more than eight sentences.

(f) Use one sentence to summarize the single most important conclusion of the paper.

(g) Give two examples that demonstrate the principle outlined in the paper true. Limit yourself to one paragraph for each example.

You are to submit your homework assignment through the CSCE 488 Web handin or ywant@cse.unl.edu a pdf file to the TA, Mr. Wang, by 1:30pm on the due date.