Research project will have three major parts, so you can develop them in installments as you work through the course's topics. None of these topics are specifically covered in our course -- the objective is that you research the topics extensively.

First part -- History of computers

Starting with the first general-purpose computer, Eniac, and ending in the current crop of computers, well over 65 years of continuous developments have been made. Research and identify the major computer types, with particular emphasis in their architecture and operating system design.

Second part -- Analysis of multi-core microprocessors

Dual-core, quad-core, and even octo-core microprocessors are an interesting development in microprocessors that have allowed markedly expanding the computing capacity of computers at a relatively low cost. Research and identify such multi-core microprocessors used in personal computers, with particular emphasis in architecture and operating system design. Close your analysis with a list of advantages and disadvantages of multi-core microprocessors vs. single-core multiprocessor.

Third part -- Analysis of "Cloud Computing"

A very current development in the industry is "cloud computing", where computer users will handle applications and data through a small portable device, and all processing and storage will be done "in the cloud", meaning in remote servers accessed through broadband communications. Research and analyze the implications of this development with regards to computer and operating system architecture, both for client-side computers and for server-side computers.

Deliverables

A single MS Word document, consisting of at least 2400 words (roughly 800 words for each of the three parts), with clearly separated sections, one for each part, as described above