Distributed Systems: Client-Server Example

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of organizing a distributed system?

Defining the hardware components of the system

Defining the software components that constitute the system (correct)

Defining the database management system of the system

Defining the network architecture of the system

What is an instantiation of a software architecture on real machines?

Software Architecture

System Architecture (correct)

Component Architecture

Network Architecture

What type of system architecture involves a single centralized server and multiple clients?

Peer-to-peer architecture

Multitier system

Decentralized architecture

Client-server architecture (correct)

What is a benefit of client-server computing?

Horizontal and vertical scaling of resources Signup and view all the answers

What is a component in the context of a distributed system?

A modular unit with well-defined required and provided interfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the file used by both the client and server in a client-server system?

header.h Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential problem with a single server architecture?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

In a single client and single server architecture, what is the server responsible for?

Copying a file Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of using multiple servers?

Improved system reliability Signup and view all the answers

In a multiple-client/multiple-server architecture, what is the primary role of the server?

Providing a service to the client Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of a single client and single server architecture?

System is not scalable Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when a client invokes a server?

The client initiates a request to the server Signup and view all the answers

What type of applications are e-mail and ftp examples of?

Distributed applications Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the caller stub in a Remote Procedure Call?

To marshal the parameters of the procedure call Signup and view all the answers

What is the semantics of the caller in a Remote Procedure Call?

Blocked send and non-blocked receive Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a caller makes a remote procedure call?

The caller sends the call packet and then waits for the results Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the callee stub in a Remote Procedure Call?

To receive the call packet and transmit the results Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a multitier system?

An internet search engine Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of middleware in a distributed system?

To provide a service layer that hides platform details Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a multitier system and a peer-to-peer system?

The organization of processing layers Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the platform layer in a distributed system?

To provide a foundation for software development Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of RPC, RMI, and CORBA in a distributed system?

To provide an easier API for applications and services Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of a multitier system that distinguishes it from other system architectures?

The organization of processing layers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Organizing Distributed Systems

The primary focus when organizing a distributed system is to ensure efficient communication, data consistency, and fault tolerance.

Deployment

An instantiation of a software architecture on real machines is deploying the software to the chosen hardware.

Client-Server Architecture

A client-server system architecture involves a single centralized server and multiple clients.
A benefit of this architecture is its ease of management.

Components in Distributed Systems

A component in a distributed system is a self-contained unit that performs a specific function, such as a database server or a web server.
The common file used by both the client and server in a client-server system is a shared configuration file.

Single Server Architecture Problems

A single point of failure is one of the main problems with using a single server.
In a single client and server architecture, the server is responsible for managing all resources and data for the client.

Multiple Servers

Using multiple servers improves performance and scalability by distributing workloads.
The server's primary role in a multiple-client/multiple-server architecture is to handle requests from multiple clients concurrently.
A single client and server architecture limits the system to only one client at a time.

Remote Procedure Calls

When a client invokes a server, it initiates a remote procedure call (RPC).
Email and FTP are examples of client-server applications utilizing RPC.
The caller stub in an RPC acts as an intermediary, translating the call from the client to a format that can be understood by the server.
From the caller's point of view, the semantics of an RPC are identical to calling a local procedure.
When a caller makes a remote procedure call, the stub on the caller side sends the call to the stub on the server side, where it is processed.
The callee stub on the receiving end translates the request from the client, executes the procedure on the server, and sends the result back to the client.

Multitier Systems

A three-tier system is a common example of a multitier system.
Middleware in a distributed system provides a layer of abstraction, facilitating communication between different components.
The primary difference between a multitier system and a peer-to-peer system lies in the centralized functionality of the multitier system.

Platform Layer

The platform layer in a distributed system handles low-level communication and resource management.
RPC, RMI, and CORBA are used in distributed systems to enable communication and data transfer between different components.
The key characteristic that distinguishes a multitier system from other architectures is its layered structure.

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Description

Test your understanding of a client-server example from Tanenbaum and van Steen's Distributed Systems book. Learn about the principles and paradigms of distributed systems and how they are applied in a client-server architecture. Evaluate your knowledge of the client-server model and its limitations.