Four implementations of disconnected operation: a framework for a capstone project in operating systems

This paper describes a framework for a capstone project in operating systems that fulfills all learning objectives required from such courses while providing students with technical experience in a modern operating system. Specifically, this work proposes a structure for a project course whereby new, experimental, and academic operating system features are implemented in commercial operating systems. As an example of a realization of such a framework, the paper presents four platform-dependent implementations of “disconnected operation,” a feature that allows network users to continue accessing data during temporary network failures. Additionally, the paper states that this framework provides a promising and solid environment for a capstone experience by balancing creative research work with an analytical design methodology and technical implementation skills.