Distributed Systems

Definition

Distributed systems refer to a model in which components located on networked computers communicate and coordinate their actions by passing messages. These systems are designed to work together as a single coherent system, despite being spread out across different locations, making them crucial for applications that require resource sharing and reliability.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Distributed systems can improve performance by allowing parallel processing across multiple machines, which can handle larger workloads more efficiently.
2. Communication in distributed systems often involves various protocols and mechanisms that ensure messages are delivered reliably and in order.
3. Consistency models in distributed systems define how data is synchronized and accessed, which is essential for maintaining data integrity across different nodes.
4. These systems can be classified into various types, including client-server architecture, peer-to-peer networks, and cloud computing platforms.
5. Challenges such as network latency, partial failures, and security concerns must be addressed to ensure that distributed systems function effectively.

Review Questions

• How do the principles of concurrency and fault tolerance contribute to the effectiveness of distributed systems?
  • Concurrency allows multiple processes to run at the same time in a distributed system, enhancing performance by maximizing resource utilization. Fault tolerance ensures that even if one or more components fail, the system can continue to operate normally without losing data or functionality. Together, these principles allow distributed systems to handle large volumes of tasks while maintaining reliability, which is essential for critical applications.
• Discuss the importance of scalability in distributed systems and how it impacts system design.
  • Scalability is vital in distributed systems because it determines the system's ability to accommodate growth in users and data without degrading performance. Designers must consider how resources like servers can be added easily without major changes to the system architecture. A well-designed scalable distributed system allows organizations to expand their services efficiently while managing increased loads effectively.
• Evaluate the challenges faced by distributed systems in terms of network latency and security, and propose potential solutions.
  • Distributed systems often encounter challenges like network latency, which can hinder communication between nodes and degrade performance. To address this, techniques like caching frequently accessed data closer to the users can be implemented. Additionally, security concerns such as unauthorized access or data breaches are significant; using encryption for data transmission and establishing strong authentication protocols can mitigate these risks. Evaluating these challenges highlights the complexities involved in designing robust distributed systems that ensure both performance and security.

Related terms

Concurrency: The ability of a system to manage multiple tasks or processes simultaneously, which is a key feature in distributed systems for improving efficiency and performance.

Fault Tolerance: The capability of a distributed system to continue operating correctly even in the presence of failures, ensuring reliability and availability of services.

Scalability: The ability of a distributed system to grow and manage increased demand by adding resources without compromising performance.