Distributed Computing
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Chapter 1
Basic Distributed System
Concepts
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OUTLINE
• Introduction
• Distributed computing
models
• Software concepts
• Issues in designing
distributed systems
• Client–server model
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What is a Distributed System?
Tanenbaum’s definition of a distributed system:
“A distributed system is a collection of
independent computers that appear to the users of
the system as a single coherent system.”
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An Example of a Distributed System
• Nationalized Bank with multiple Branch Offices
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Requirements of Distributed Systems
• Security and reliability
• Consistency of replicated data
• Concurrent transactions (operations which involve accounts in
different banks; simultaneous access from several users, etc.)
• Fault tolerance
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Architectures for Distributed Systems
• Shared memory architectures / Tightly coupled systems
➢ easier to program
• Distributed memory architectures / Loosely coupled systems
➢ offer a superior price performance ratio and are
scalable
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Architectures for Distributed Systems
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Distributed Computing Models
• Workstation model
• Workstation–server model
• Processor-pool model
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Workstation Model
• Consists of network of personal computers
• Each one with its own hard disk and local file system
• Interconnected over the network
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Workstation-server Model
• Consists of multiple workstations coupled with powerful
servers with extra hardware to store the file systems and
other software like databases
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Processor-pool Model
• Consists of multiple processors: a pool of processors and a
group of workstations
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Advantages of Distributed Systems
• Inherently distributed applications
• Information sharing among
geographically distributed users
• Resource Sharing
• Better price performance ratio
• Shorter response time & higher
throughput
• Higher reliability and availability against
component failures
• Extensibility and Incremental Growth
• Better Flexibility
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Disadvantages of Distributed Systems
• Relevant software does not exist currently
• Security poses a problem due to easy access to all
data
• Networking saturation may cause a hurdle in data
transfer
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Software Concepts
• Network Operating System (NOS)
• Distributed Operating System (DOS)
• Multiprocessor Time Sharing System
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Network Operating System (NOS)
• Build using a distributed system from a network of workstations
connected by high speed network.
• Each workstation is an independent computer with its own
operating system, memory and other resources like hard disks, file
system and databases
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Distributed Operating System (DOS)
• Enables a distributed system to behave like a virtual
uniprocessor even though the system operates on a collection
of machines.
• Characteristics
✓ enabling Inter process communication
✓ Uniform process management mechanism
✓ Uniform and visible file system
✓ Identical kernel implementation
✓ Local control of machines
✓ handling scheduling issues
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Multiprocessor Time Sharing System
• Combination of tightly coupled software and tightly coupled
hardware with multiple CPUs projecting a uniprocessor image.
• Tasks are queued in shared memory and are scheduled to be
executed in time shared mode on available processors.
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Comparison of Different Operating
Systems
Software Concepts
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Issues in Designing Distributed Systems
• Transparency
• Flexibility
• Reliability
• Performance
• Scalability
• Security
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Transparency
Transparencies required for Distributed Systems
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Replication Transparency
Locating Replicated File stored on any server
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Flexibility
• Monolithic kernel approach
• Microkernel approach
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Monolithic Kernel Approach
• Uses the minimalist, modular approach with accessibility to
other services as needed
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Microkernel Approach
• Uses the kernel does it all approach with all functionalities
provided by the kernel irrespective whether all machines use
it or not
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Monolithic versus Microkernel Approach
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Reliability
• Availability in case of Hardware failure
• Data recovery in case of Data failure
• Maintain consistency in case of replicated data
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Performance
Metrics are
– Response time
– Throughput
– System utilization
– Amount of network capacity used
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Scalability
• Techniques to handle scalability issues
• hide communication latencies
• hide distribution
• hide replication
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Hide Communication Latencies
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Hide Distribution
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Security
• Confidentiality means protection against unauthorized access
• Integrity implies protection of data against corruption
• Availability means protection against failure always accessible
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Client-Server Model
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Client-Server Addressing Techniques
• Machine addressing
• Process addressing
• Name server addressing
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Client-Server Addressing Techniques
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Client-Server Implementation
Messages for client server interaction
– Request, Reply, Acknowledge, Are you Alive, I am Alive
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Differentiation between the Client
and the Server
• User
interface
level
• Processing
level
• Data level
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Client-Server Architecture
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Client-Server Architecture
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