The promise of ubiquitous computing is the seamless integration of computing technology into our everyday lifes. Advances in hardware and software technologies is offering us a glimpse into this connected future. Mobile devices (laptops, PDAs, navigation systems, web appliances), wireline (LANs, broadband home access) and wireless networks (2.5G/3G cellular) offer a stepping stone to build ubiquitous and pervasive computing applications. The web is emerging as the primary data dissemination and e-commerce mechanism.The ability for ubiquitous information access is driving the popularity of the Web. The demands and opportunities of mobile information access present exciting challenges for research in wide-area distributed systems.

A primary goal of this class is to introduce students to research issues in mobile access to resources. This class will survey current research in this area, including work in communication protocols, naming, replicated services, security, adaptation and battery power management. We will read and evaluate research papers selected from the literature. The students will also work on a significant course project.

Each class will consist of a introductory lecture into a new topic (to provide the necessary background to read research publications). The students will then be asked to evaluate a research paper as the basis for further discussion in the next lecture. Class participation is fundamental for productive discussions.

The students are also expected to work on a significant course project. This will be an opportunity to explore research ideas that interests them (a list of project ideas will also be provided). The goal of the project is to produce conference quality publications. However, because of the limited time available, a project with good research potential (aim high) is preferred over a system that just works. The projects will be evaluated based on the demonstration of the lessons learnt, as well as on the coherent presentation of the results; in context with other research. The key to a successful class project is ensuring that some aspect of the work is complete (it is hard to grade a project where nothing quite works). It is expected that successful projects, with further polishing work, will lead to a thesis and/or conference submissions.

At the end of the semester, we will organize a public mini symposium. The student groups will present their experiences with the research project in this symposium. They will also submit a 10 page research report. Students will provide feedback on the different project presentations. Best paper and best presentation awards will be selected from these feedbacks.

For the course project, the students will have access to a wireless infra-structure with cool mobile devices.

Background in Operating Systems and/or Computer Networking is required. The course includes a significant course project; background in programming is necessary.