Course Title:

INTRODUCTION TO DISTRIBUTED
SYSTEM

Chapter 1: Introduction to Distributed

System
Outlines
Introduction
Definition
Goals of a Distributed System
Types of Distributed Systems
Introduction to Distributed System?
 The process of computation was started from working on a single processor.

 This uniprocessor computing can be termed as centralized computing.

 As the demand for the increased processing capability grew high,

multiprocessor systems came to existence.
 The advent of multiprocessor systems, led to the development of
distributed systems with high degree of scalability and resource sharing.
 The modern day parallel computing is a subset of distributed computing.
Definition of Distributed System and
Distributed Computing
…Definition of Distributed System
and Distributed Computing?

 Distributed computing is widely used due to advancements in machines and

faster and cheaper networks. In distributed systems, the entire network
will be viewed as a computer.
 The multiple systems connected to the network will appear as a single system
to the user.
 Thus the distributed systems hide the complexity of the underlying
architecture to the user.
…Definition of Distributed System
and Distributed Computing?

 The definition of distributed systems deals with two aspects that:

 Deals with hardware: The machines linked in a distributed system are

autonomous.
 Deals with software: A distributed system gives an impression to the
users that they are dealing with a single system.
…Definition of Distributed System
and Distributed Computing?

 A distributed system organized as middleware.

 The middleware layer extends over multiple machines, and offers each
application the same interface.
NETWORKS VS. DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS
Networks: A media for interconnecting local and wide area computers
and exchange messages based on protocols. Network entities are visible
and they are explicitly addressed (IP address).
Distributed System: existence of multiple autonomous computers is
transparent.
However, Many problems (e.g., openness, reliability) in common, but at different levels.
 Networks focuses on packets, routing, etc., whereas distributed systems focus o applications.
 Every distributed system relies on services provided by a computer network.
Features of Distributed Systems
Communication is hidden from users

Applications interact in uniform and consistent way

High degree of scalability

A distributed system is functionally equivalent to the systems of which it is composed.

 Resource sharing is possible in distributed systems.

Distributed systems act as fault tolerant systems

Enhanced performance
Issues in distributed systems
Concurrency

Distributed system function in a heterogeneous environment. So adaptability is a major

issue.
Latency

Memory considerations: The distributed systems work on both local and shared memory.

Synchronization issues

Applications must need to adapt gracefully without affecting other parts of the systems in
case of failures.
Since they are widespread, security is a major issue.

They are less transparent.

Centralized Vs. Distributed Systems
GOALS OF DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS
The key goals of a distributed system include:

Transparency: Achieving the image of a single system image without

concealing the details of the location, access, migration, concurrency, failure,
relocation, persistence and resources to the users.
 Types of Transparency.
…GOALS OF DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS
Openness: Making the network easier to configure and modify

Reliability: Compared to a single system, a distributed system should be

highly capable of being secure, consistent and have a high capability of masking
errors.
Performance: Compared to other models, distributed models are expected to
give a much-wanted boost to performance.
…GOALS OF DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS
Scalability: System should work efficiently at many different scales, ranging from a
small Intranet to the Internet. Remains effective when there is a significant increase in the
number of resources and the number of users.
Distributed systems should be scalable with respect to geography, administration or size.
 Along at least three different dimensions.

 First, a system can be scalable with respect to its size, meaning that we can easily add more
users and resources to the system.
 Second, a geographically scalable system is one in which the users and resources may lie
far apart.
 Third, a system can be administratively scalable, that it can still be easy to manage even if it
spans many independent administrative organizations.
Types of Distributed Systems

1. Client-server.
A client-server distributed system uses a simple communication method
where a client sends input to a separate server and the server returns an
output response to the client.
Client-server interactions often include messaging, data collection and
calculations. This structure typically applies to networks with multiple servers
and devices with similar abilities and components.
…Types of Distributed Systems

2. Peer-to-peer.
A peer-to-peer distributed system type follows a decentralized organization.

Each device can operate as both the client and server. Computer network
applications use a peer-to-peer system to organize processors that
communicate with each other but maintain separate local memory bases.
The programs and servers in this network all have the same privileges,
access and functions and communicate at the same level without a hierarchy.
…Types of Distributed Systems
3. Cluster Computing Systems.
Cluster computing has rigid and specific hardware, tasks, and control structure.

In cluster computing the underlying hardware consists of a collection of similar

workstations or PCs, closely connected by means of a high speed local-area network.
In addition, each node runs the same operating system.
…Types of Distributed Systems
4. Grid Computing Systems.
Grid computing is a computing infrastructure that combines computer
resources spread over different geographical locations to achieve a common goal.
All unused resources on multiple computers are pooled together and made
available for a single task.
Grid computing is flexible in terms of resource sharing. Computers on a grid
network work independently and are not obliged to share resources.
…Types of Distributed Systems
Grid computing systems have a high degree of heterogeneity: no assumptions
are made concerning hardware, operating systems, networks, administrative
domains, security policies, etc.
A key issue in a grid computing system is that resources from different
organizations are brought together to allow the collaboration of a group of
people or institutions.
Cluster Vs. Grid Computing Systems
End of Chapter 1