Fallacies of Distributed Computing Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary challenge when dealing with multiple administrators in a network?

Reducing overall financial transport costs.

Coordinating network upgrades and deployments. (correct)

Implementing proprietary protocols.

Quickly identifying upgrade requirements.

What impact does XML have compared to JSON when transferring data?

XML requires more computer resources and time than JSON. (correct)

XML transfers data faster due to its simplicity.

XML is more compatible with various protocols.

XML uses less bandwidth than JSON.

What should be assumed when planning a distributed application?

The network will be cost-effective and secure.

Network reliability may be taken for granted.

Network conditions can be unpredictable and costly. (correct)

The network will always provide high bandwidth.

Which of these formats is preferable for transferring data in a distributed system?

Open-standard formats like CSV or JSON Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the costs associated with maintaining a network?

Upgrading network infrastructure as needed. Signup and view all the answers

What is often neglected when designing distributed systems?

Planning for network-related issues and costs. Signup and view all the answers

Why may a cloud service outage be particularly concerning?

Response time relies on administrators from other organizations. Signup and view all the answers

What misconception exists about homogeneous networks?

They are more reliable than heterogeneous networks. Signup and view all the answers

What can complicate the coordination of upgrades in a network?

Multiple admins with diverging priorities. Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to higher financial transport costs in a network?

Leased lines and cloud service charges. Signup and view all the answers

What assumption about networks is considered a fallacy in distributed computing?

The network is always reliable. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the reasons why network administration can become error-prone?

Increased complexity of networks. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of network changes can lead to errors affecting reliability?

Up to 33% Signup and view all the answers

What is often a misconception held by application designers regarding networks?

Networks will always meet performance expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the production environment is often overlooked by designers of distributed systems?

Rigorous controls and monitoring of networks. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of network configuration might work well for distributed systems?

A network specifically designed with controls. Signup and view all the answers

What common issue do networks face, especially as they grow in complexity?

Higher susceptibility to configuration errors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor contributing to network failures besides hardware issues?

Errors in network administration. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of latency in network communications?

Waiting time for a response Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT contribute to propagation delay in a network?

Packet loss Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about bandwidth in modern networks?

Bandwidth is always sufficient for all users Signup and view all the answers

What strategy is essential for ensuring network security?

Implementing security in depth Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a reason for high latency in mobile applications?

Unpredictable network request failures Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the nature of network topology?

Network topologies are subject to constant change. Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to node delay in a network?

Number of nodes in the communication path Signup and view all the answers

Which is a potential source of network security breaches?

Low priority on intrusion detection Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a characteristic of high latency in a network?

It is usually constant and predictable. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge in maintaining network security as related to a cloud environment?

Rapidly changing infrastructure Signup and view all the answers

Which is a common issue with reliance on cloud service providers?

Unpredictable incidents of service failure Signup and view all the answers

How can frequent fine-grained network calls mislead developers?

They create a false sense of performance stability. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about uninterruptible power supplies is true?

They can experience interruptions under certain conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Which issue is commonly faced by network applications in relation to data integrity?

Data can arrive incomplete or corrupted Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Eight Fallacies of Distributed Computing

Identified at Sun Microsystems in the 1990s, these fallacies highlight misconceptions around distributed systems still relevant today.
Senior management's adherence to these fallacies often led to costly project failures.

Fallacy Overview

Network Reliability: Networks are prone to failure from various sources including hardware/software malfunctions, misconfigurations, and external attacks. Redundancies exist, but complexity can lead to errors.
Latency is Zero: Latency varies based on propagation, node, and congestion delays, often underestimated in development, leading to poor performance in live systems.
Infinite Bandwidth: While new cables can offer high bandwidth, network devices often create bottlenecks. Actual bandwidth can be limited by usage and physical infrastructure.
Network Security: Security flaws persist in networks, with increasing attacks requiring robust, multi-layered defenses. Weak configurations can lead to breaches and ongoing vulnerabilities.
Static Topology: Network topologies are dynamic and constantly changing, making assumptions about stable endpoints or routes risky.
Single Administrator: Distributed systems will involve multiple administrators with varying expertise and priorities, complicating management and coordination during issues.
Zero Transport Cost: Data transport incurs both time and cost associated with resources, serialization, and the ongoing maintenance of network infrastructure.
Homogeneous Network: Modern networks are diverse, mixing different devices and protocols. Interoperability should be a foundational design consideration to accommodate this variety.

Conclusion

Distributed systems can be effective only when assumptions about network reliability, latency, bandwidth, security, topology, administration, transport costs, and homogeneity are critically evaluated.
Acknowledging these fallacies helps in planning and designing more robust distributed applications, avoiding reliance on misleading attributes of the network.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the eight fallacies of distributed computing, originating from Sun Microsystems in the 1990s. These common misconceptions have persisted over time and continue to affect IT projects negatively. Understand these fallacies to avoid costly mistakes in your application designs.