Introduction to Distributed Systems

Study Notes

A distributed system is a collection of interconnected components (hardware or software) that communicate and coordinate their actions by passing messages.
These components can be geographically dispersed.

Heterogeneity: Allows access to services and applications over a diverse range of computers and networks.
Openness: The system can be extended and re-implemented in various ways.
Concurrency: Multiple users can access shared resources simultaneously.
Scalability: The system remains efficient even with a significant increase in resources and users.
Security: Protects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information resources.

Internet: Enables various services like web browsing, email, and file transfer.
Intranet: A private network within an enterprise connected to the internet. Provides services like web and email within the enterprise.

Data Sharing: Allows multiple users to access a common database.
Resource Sharing: Enables sharing of expensive peripherals like color printers among different systems.
Communication: Facilitates human-to-human communication through email, chat, etc.
Flexibility: Distributes workload across available machines.

Telecommunication Networks: Telephone and cellular networks.
Network Applications: World Wide Web and peer-to-peer networks.
Real-Time Process Controls: Aircraft control systems.
Parallel Computation: Dividing tasks across multiple processors for faster execution.

Distributed computing uses multiple independent computers, potentially with different capabilities, connected through a network.
Parallel Processing uses multiple processors within a single computer, often with specialized hardware and software, working together on a common task.
Distributed computing offers economic advantages due to the availability of low-cost microprocessors, leading to better performance than parallel processing systems.