Distributed Operating Systems [Paperback]

Andrew S. Tanenbaum (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0132199084 | ISBN-13: 978-0132199087 | Publication Date: September 4, 1994 | Edition: 1

As distributed computer systems become more pervasive, there is a need for a book that explains how their operating systems are designed and implemented. This book, which is a revised and expanded Part II of the best selling MODERN OPERATING SYSTEMS, fulfills that need. KEY TOPICS: It covers the material from the original book, including communication, synchronization, processes and file systems, and adds new material on distributed shared memory. It also contains 4 detailed case studies, Amoeba, Mach, Chorus, and OSF/DCE. Tanenbaum's trademark writing style provides the reader with a thorough yet concise treatment of distributed systems.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Written by one of the most respected authors in the field of computer science, this text offers students a clear explanation of the fundamental concepts of distributed operating systems. It focuses on distributed systems, including case studies of MACH, AMOEBA, and Chorus and DCE, with full coverage of the most recent advances in the field.

From the Back Cover

As distributed computer systems become more pervasive, there is a need for a book that explains how their operating systems are designed and implemented. This book, which is a revised and expanded Part II of the best selling MODERN OPERATING SYSTEMS, fulfills that need. It covers the material from the original book, including communication, synchronization, processes and file systems, and adds new material on distributed shared memory. It also contains 4 detailed case studies, Amoeba, Mach, Chorus, and OSF/DCE. Tanenbaum's trademark writing style provides the reader with a thorough yet concise treatment of distributed systems.

Product Details

• Paperback: 648 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (September 4, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0132199084
• ISBN-13: 978-0132199087
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,110,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-Written Introductory Text, June 18, 2001

By 

Wayne Miller (The Woodlands, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Distributed Operating Systems (Paperback)

The book contains concepts and algorithms in the first half, and then lists (I think 3) distributed operating systems in the back as case studies. The book is very readable and entertaining, assuming you've had a course (or the equivalent) in (single machine) operating systems.

This book covers all major aspects of distributed operating systems at reasonable level of depth -- you can't expect too much detail if you're going to cover all the topics.

There's no examples of "real" code in the text, I think that's a good thing. There are a number of useful algorithms discussed in each chapter.

This book is aging, and a little of the information is already dated (7 years old).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read introduction to the subject, December 15, 2010

By 

Charles M. Zalinski (Redmond, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Distributed Operating Systems (Paperback)

This book is a convenient alternative to a senior-level course in operating systems. I intend to buy Tanenbaum's other operating system book. It is very easy to read and refreshingly pithy. Unlike many technical books, which fill pages by reproducing online documentation as an appendix, every page was worth printing. The examples are complete enough to understand the core concepts but assume you have the intelligence not to need excessive handholding. References are provided for readers interested in learning more about specific concepts.

The major flaw with this book is that it is now more than 15 years old. I would like to see an updated version that takes into account some of the latest operating system research. That said, the concepts are fundamental ones and cover most of the issues discussed are still relevant today.

7 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Distributed Operating System book, January 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Distributed Operating Systems (Paperback)

If you know Andrew S. Tanembaum and know "Modern Operating Systems" you will like this book. It's a upgrade to Distributed Systems and more. You will need this!