Characteristics of Distributed Systems
- Decentralized Control: In a distributed system, control and decision-making authority are decentralized. Each node in the system has a degree of autonomy and can make decisions independently based on local information.
- Distributed Data Management: Data and resources are distributed across multiple nodes in the system. Each node may store a subset of the data or perform specific tasks, contributing to the overall functionality of the system.
- Peer-to-Peer Communication: Communication in a distributed system can occur directly between nodes without the need for a central intermediary. Nodes can exchange information, coordinate actions, and collaborate to achieve shared objectives.
- Fault Tolerance: Distributed systems are often designed to be resilient to failures. Since there is no single point of failure, the system can continue to operate even if individual nodes experience issues or failures.
- Scalability: Distributed systems can be highly scalable, allowing for the addition of new nodes to accommodate increased workload or user demand. This scalability is achieved through the parallelization of tasks across multiple nodes.
For Example:
Content Delivery Networks(CDNs) distribute content such as web pages, images, and videos across geographically dispersed servers. By caching content closer to end-users, CDNs improve performance, reduce latency, and increase reliability.
Centralized vs Distributed System
It is essential to understand the differences between centralized and distributed systems. Centralized systems have a single, central point of control, like a hub controlling all the activities. For instance, a school administration office manages all the classrooms and teachers. On the other hand, distributed systems are like a team of equals, with no single point of control. Each part of the system can operate independently, yet they work together seamlessly, like computers connected to each other. This article highlights their importance in various applications and their differences in effective system design and management.
Important Topics for Centralized vs Distributed System
- What is a Centralized System?
- Characteristics of Centralized Systems
- Use Cases of Centralized Systems
- What is a Distributed System?
- Use Cases of Distributed Systems
- Centralized vs. Distributed System