ECS656U/ECS796P Distributed Systems
42 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of distributed systems?

  • To connect only high-end servers together
  • To minimize the number of machines in a network
  • To utilize single high-end machines for processing power
  • To advantageously use multiple interconnected machines to achieve common goals (correct)

What percentage of the final grade does the exam contribute to in this course?

  • 50%
  • 70% (correct)
  • 100%
  • 30%

Which of the following topics is included in the course agenda?

  • Mobile App Development
  • Consensus Protocols and Paxos (correct)
  • Cybersecurity Measures
  • Machine Learning Algorithms

What is the format of the lab sessions for this course?

<p>2-hour sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the total number of labs included in the assessment for this course?

<p>Four Labs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary function of middleware in a computing environment?

<p>To facilitate interaction between computations on different computers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does middleware enhance application development?

<p>By providing uniform and high-level interfaces for application interoperability. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way is middleware similar to an operating system?

<p>It supports application programs and facilitates their interactions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What benefit does middleware provide regarding application compatibility?

<p>It hides the differences in hardware, operating systems, and protocols. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is middleware considered failure-prone?

<p>It integrates multiple systems that can individually fail. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a transparent distributed system?

<p>It makes remote resources appear as local resources. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which dimension of transparency involves hiding the location of resources?

<p>Location (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is openness considered beneficial in distributed systems?

<p>It enhances interoperability between different systems. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of too much emphasis on transparency in a system?

<p>Reduced awareness of system behavior (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which dimension of transparency addresses the potential sharing of resources?

<p>Concurrency (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a simple definition of a distributed system?

<p>A collection of independent computers that functions as one system. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the migration dimension of transparency function?

<p>It hides the fact that a resource may change location. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of scalability refer to in distributed systems?

<p>The ability to increase the number of users without performance loss. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a distributed system?

<p>A personal laptop running an isolated application. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following systems exemplifies a distributed system?

<p>The Internet, as it connects various independent networks. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for hiding failure and recovery in a distributed system?

<p>To prevent users from requiring constant vigilance. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What will this course primarily focus on regarding distributed systems?

<p>The algorithms, design, and maintenance of distributed systems. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In how many weeks do students have to submit a lab after it is released?

<p>Two weeks. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a goal of a distributed system?

<p>To create a single point of failure. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which types of systems could be classified as distributed systems?

<p>BiTorrent and Hadoop. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the characteristics of a distributed system covered in the course?

<p>Independence of components. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of clusters in distributed computing systems?

<p>They are connected by a high-speed LAN and run the same operating system. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes grid computing from cluster computing?

<p>Grid computing involves processors that are more loosely coupled. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a high-performance cluster application?

<p>Weather modeling. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of distributed systems with regard to resource accessibility?

<p>Resources are shared and enhance overall performance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does scalability apply to distributed systems?

<p>It involves the system’s ability to handle more users and larger geographic areas. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes portability in distributed systems?

<p>The capability to operate across different hardware and software environments. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The World Community Grid is an example of which distributed computing model?

<p>A grid computing system. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which goal of a distributed system emphasizes user engagement and flexibility?

<p>Transparency. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of cloud computing?

<p>To provide services by sharing resources among a large pool of users (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a characteristic of Folding@home?

<p>It achieved over 101 petaflops performance (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many computers were utilized by SETI@home as of October 2016?

<p>Approximately 400,000 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best differentiates grid computing from cloud computing?

<p>Cloud computing is internet-based and uses a shared resource pool (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key trade-off in designing distributed systems?

<p>Scalability vs performance (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of cloud computing?

<p>Leveraging Google Cloud Compute Engine (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of 'Separation of Concerns' encourage in system design?

<p>Modularizing complex problems into manageable parts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the performance capability of SETI@home as of October 2016?

<p>0.828 TFLOPS (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Distributed Systems

A distributed system is a collection of interconnected computers that work together to achieve a common goal.

What is RPC?

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is a communication mechanism that allows a program on one computer to execute a procedure on another computer, as if it were a local procedure.

What is REST?

REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style for designing web services that uses HTTP to exchange data.

What is Synchronization?

Synchronization is a process for coordinating actions among multiple computers in a distributed system.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is a Consensus Protocol?

Consensus protocols are mechanisms that enable a group of computers to agree on a shared value even if some of them fail.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Internet

The internet, which connects countless devices and networks worldwide.

Signup and view all the flashcards

BiTorrent

A peer-to-peer file sharing protocol that allows efficient distribution of large files.

Signup and view all the flashcards

The Web

A web of servers and clients that exchange information and resources.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hadoop

A software framework designed for distributed storage and processing of large datasets.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Datacenters

Large-scale computing facilities housing numerous servers.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Distributed System (Simple Definition)

Any system too large to fit on a single computer.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Middleware

A software layer that sits between applications and operating systems, enabling independent computers to work together.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Middleware benefits

Middleware offers a uniform and high-level interface, simplifying the development of interoperable, reusable and portable applications.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Middleware's common services

Middleware provides common services like communication and resource management, reducing duplication and boosting collaboration between applications.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Middleware's abstraction

Middleware hides the intricacies of distributed applications, making them easier to manage and develop.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Middleware as an API

Like an operating system, middleware provides an application programming interface (API) for programs to access underlying system resources.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Transparency in Distributed Systems

A distributed system that appears to its users and applications as a single system. Users and applications can access both local and remote resources seamlessly.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Access Transparency

Hiding differences in data representation and resource access, allowing for interoperability.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Location Transparency

Hiding the location of a resource from users, enabling access without knowing its physical location.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Migration Transparency

Hiding the possibility that a system can change the location of a resource without affecting access.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Replication Transparency

Hiding the existence of multiple copies of a resource (for reliability or availability) from users.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Concurrency Transparency

Hiding the possibility that a resource can be shared by multiple users concurrently.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Failure Transparency

Hiding failures and recovery operations from resource access, making the system appear reliable.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Relocation Transparency

Hiding the possibility that a resource can be moved during its usage from users.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Grid Computing

A type of distributed system that uses a large pool of computers to solve complex problems or perform intensive tasks, such as scientific simulations or data analysis. Examples include SETI@home and Folding@home.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cloud Computing

A type of distributed system that provides services to users through a network, accessed via the internet. It offers scalable and measured IT resources, such as storage, processing power, and software. Examples include Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Compute Engine.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cluster

A type of distributed computing system that uses a group of interconnected computers, often located close together, to improve performance and scalability. Clusters are typically used for high-performance computing tasks.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Separation of Concerns

A key principle in designing distributed systems that emphasizes breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts. It advocates for addressing each concern individually, promoting modularity and flexibility.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Scalability vs. Performance

A common trade-off in distributed systems. Increasing scalability might come at the cost of reduced performance, while prioritizing flexibility can impact reliability.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Flexibility vs. Reliability

A common trade-off in distributed systems. Enhancing flexibility, such as adding new functionalities, might compromise reliability, potentially leading to crashes or data loss.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is a Distributed System?

A distributed system is a collection of interconnected computers that work together to achieve a common goal.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Goals of a Distributed System

A distributed system aims to provide transparency, easier use, and better resource accessibility while also being scalable for lots of users and geographic locations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is a Cluster?

A cluster is a collection of similar computers, often PCs, running the same operating system and connected by a high-speed network. Clusters excel at parallel computing tasks, leveraging inexpensive hardware.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is a Grid?

A Grid is a collection of loosely coupled computers distributed across wide areas. Computers in a grid can be heterogeneous (different hardware, software, or networks), and they collaborate to solve complex problems.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is a Cloud?

A Cloud is a large-scale distributed system providing on-demand resources (like computing power, storage, and networking) over the internet.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are High Performance Clusters (HPC)?

High Performance Clusters (HPC) are used for demanding tasks in science, military, and engineering, like weather modeling. They leverage parallel computing power to handle large-scale calculations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Example of Grid Computing

The World Community Grid is an example of Grid computing. It utilizes millions of computers to participate in scientific research such as finding disease cures.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How are Grids and Clusters different?

Grid computing is similar to clusters but computers are geographically distributed, heterogeneous, and not in a central location, making them more flexible for wider workloads. However, their communication relies on the internet compared to supercomputers' high-speed internal networks.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Course Information

  • Course title: ECS656U/ECS796P Distributed Systems
  • The course covers fundamental concepts and technical challenges of building distributed systems.
  • Internet interconnects billions of machines, from high-end servers to embedded sensing devices. Distributed systems leverage these interconnected machines to achieve common goals.

Course Structure

  • Lectures: Thursdays, 4 PM to 6 PM on QMplus; lecturer information included.
  • Labs: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4 PM in TB-GF(TB-G02) and TB Lab. Labs begin in week 2.

Course Agenda

  • Introduction to distributed systems
  • RPC, RMI, SOAP, Threads
  • REST
  • Multiplay game synchronization
  • Synchronization
  • Bitcoin
  • Revision
  • Consensus protocols (Paxos)
  • Raft and cloud computing
  • Peer-to-peer and distributed hash tables
  • Key-value stores
  • Recap

Assessment

  • Exam: 70%
  • Labs: 30%
  • Four labs; new labs are released in weeks 2, 3, 5, and 6.
  • Two-week submission period after lab release.
  • Lab quizzes submitted to QMplus.

Introduction to Distributed Systems

  • Definition: A collection of independent computers that appear as a single coherent system.
  • Alternative definition: A collection of entities; each is autonomous, programmable, asynchronous, failure-prone, communicating through an unreliable communication medium.
  • An entity is process running on the device (e.g., PC, laptop, tablet).
  • Each entity is autonomous: works independently.
  • Each entity is programmable: Has embedded code.
  • Each entity is asynchronous: Operates at its own speed.
  • Each entity is failure-prone: Can fail.
  • Distinguish from parallel systems: Distributed systems rely on a distributed network for communication.
  • Communication medium: Wireless or wired.

Distributed System Goals and Properties

  • Resource Accessibility: Access to remote resources (printers, data files, websites, CPU cycles) and fair resource sharing.
  • Transparency: Systems appear as a single computer to users and applications. Users access remote resources as easily as local resources. Transparency hides details of system distribution.
  • Openness: Systems can interact with other distributed systems even with different underlying environments. Well-defined interfaces, application portability, interoperability.
  • Scalability: System performance doesn't degrade when expanding or when geography expands. Systems with respect to size and geographical distribution.

Distributed System Types

  • Clusters: Similar processors running the same OS, connected by a high-speed LAN, used for parallel computing, often using inexpensive hardware.
  • Grids: More loosely coupled than clusters; often heterogeneous, located across a network (not centralized).
  • Clouds: Internet-based computing; applications do not access resources directly; provides services through shared resources from a large pool of users.

Further Topics and Considerations

  • The importance of distributed systems
  • Trade-offs: Conflicting requirements (e.g., scalability versus performance or flexibility versus reliability), but useful for problem-solving.
  • Separation of Concerns: Large problems are broken down into smaller, more manageable concerns.
  • Communication vs Replication vs. Consistency: Considerations in distributed design.
  • The middleware and its functions in various distributed systems.
  • Examples: Netflix (uses distributed database systems), DNS (distributed database and networking).
  • Decentralization is crucial for scalability in distributed systems.
  • No single central point of control, failure of one component has minimal impact on overall system.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Distributed Systems ECS656U/ECS796P PDF

Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts and technical challenges of distributed systems as outlined in the ECS656U/ECS796P course. Topics include RPC, REST, consensus protocols, and more. Test your understanding of how interconnected machines work together to achieve common goals.

More Like This

Blockchain Consensus Protocols
5 questions

Blockchain Consensus Protocols

FortuitousCelebration6588 avatar
FortuitousCelebration6588
Distributed Systems Commit Protocols
48 questions

Distributed Systems Commit Protocols

BelievableGnome avatar
BelievableGnome
CSE446 Lecture 4: Distributed Systems Model
21 questions

CSE446 Lecture 4: Distributed Systems Model

AccommodativeRuthenium avatar
AccommodativeRuthenium
Consensus Protocols in Multi-Agent Systems
33 questions

Consensus Protocols in Multi-Agent Systems

StellarHammeredDulcimer avatar
StellarHammeredDulcimer
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser