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DNet | Distributed and Networked Systems

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Steffen Bondorf

Distributed systems are characterized by the fact that they consist of several, largely independent components connected via a network, which offer a common service. Depending on the specific design, this can be redundant storage of small files limited to a few computers, for example, or massively parallel processing of ultra-large scale volumes of data as part of global cloud applications.

While on the one hand the distributed nature of a system opens up new possibilities, such as an improvement of fault tolerance properties through replication of data or computations, on the other hand additional challenges arise, such as the efficient provision of services when distributed across multiple geographical locations. The goal of the chair’s research activities is to develop concepts and techniques that allow systems to exploit the opportunities offered by distribution while using the available resources as efficiently as possible.

Networked Systems are facing challenges in a broad variety of areas, ranging from the provision of fundamental functional aspects to the fulfillment of non-functional aspects regarding performance, scalability or (energy-)efficiency. In the future, the use of applications such as remote tower operations that do not allow tolerances for fast, reliable and predictable data transport will increase. The chair’s research therefore deals with performance modeling and analysis to derive deterministic quantifications of the performance of modern computer networks. We strife to derive insights that help to improve systems and their analysis as well as the optimization of both. Our research topics of interest include the design and analysis of hardware and software, their integration, as well as simulation and measurement of (integrated) systems. More about our research can be found here.