Distributed Computing

Dr. Ajanta De Sarkar

Reader, CSE Dept.
BIT Mesra, Kolkata Campus
 Distributed system, distributed
computing

 Early computing was performed on a single

processor. Uni-processor computing can be
called centralized computing.
 A distributed system is a collection of
independent computers, interconnected via a
network, capable of collaborating on a task.
 Distributed computing is computing
performed in a distributed system.
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 Characteristics

– Concurrency
Collaborative and cooperative problem-solving (interdependencies)
– Independent failures of components
Autonomous but interdependent - requires coordination, graceful degradation
– Lack of global clocks
Local (component) clocks and relativity of time when distributed
– Heterogeneity
Hardware/software (programs, data) variations in component systems
– Openness
Modularity, architecture and standards allow extensibility
– Security
Protection (internal and external) against malicious use or attack - integrity
– Scalability
Accommodation of increased users and resource demands over time
– Transparency Distributed Computing •
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Hide separation of components (hidden by middleware)
Introduction, ADS : M. Liu
 Distributed Systems

work
stations a local network

The Internet

a network host

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 Examples of DS - The Internet

– Interconnected computers/intranets, which communicate over

backbone/medium via messages using the IP (Internet protocol)
– Medium: wired: copper circuits, fibre optic; wireless: satellite, RF, IR

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 Examples of DS - Intranets

– Locally owned interconnected computers – may be a component of a DS,
e.g., the Internet – if so, the intranet is connected via a router
– Typically composed of LANs, with firewall (if connected to the Internet) for
filtering incoming/outgoing transmissions

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 Examples of DS - Mobile and Ubiquitous
Computing

– Supported/spurred by advances in embedded system design – device

miniaturization and wireless networking
– Mobile computing – access to intranet resources/services on-the-move
– Ubiquitous computing – transparent/intimate use of several, distributed and
communicating small computing devices in a given physical environment
(anywhere, anytime accessible) like office, hospital, home, classroom, …

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 A small state-of-the practice DS

wireless
to/from laptops
cable router/
cable
modem firewall
headend
wireless
access
Ethernet point
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 Computers in a Distributed System

 Workstations: computers used by end-users

to perform computing
 Server machines: computers which provide
resources and services
 Personal Assistance Devices: handheld
computers connected to the system via a
wireless communication link.

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 Centralized vs. Distributed Computing

terminal
mainframe computer
workstation

network link

network host
centralized computing
distributed computing

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 Monolithic mainframe applications vs.
distributed applications
based on http://www.inprise.com/visibroker/papers/distributed/wp.html

 The monolithic mainframe application architecture:

– Separate, single-function applications, such as order-entry or
billing
– Applications cannot share data or other resources
– Developers must create multiple instances of the same
functionality (service).
– Proprietary (user) interfaces
 The distributed application architecture:
– Integrated applications
– Applications can share resources
– A single instance of functionality (service) can be reused.
– Common user interfaces
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 Why distributed computing?

 Economics: distributed systems allow the

pooling of resources, including CPU cycles,
data storage, input/output devices, and
services.
 Reliability: a distributed system allow
replication of resources and/or services, thus
reducing service outage due to failures.
 The Internet has become a universal
platform for distributed computing.
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 Strengths of Distributed Computing

 The affordability of computers and

availability of network access

 Resource sharing

 Scalability

 Fault Tolerance
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 Weaknesses of Distributed
Computing

The disadvantages of distributed computing:

 Multiple Points of Failures: the failure of
one or more participating computers, or one
or more network links, can spell trouble.
 Security Concerns: In a distributed system,
there are more opportunities for unauthorized
attack.

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 Basics of Operating Systems

 Program & process

 States of a process
 Concept of Java programming
 Use of threads
 Concurrent Programming
– Multiple computers
– Single computer
– Process based (thread)

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 Network Basics

 Protocols: set of rules which specify:

– how the exchanged data is encoded
– How the events are synchronized
 Network Architecture: OSI & TCP/IP
 Internet host & router
 Network architecture Protocols:
– TCP/IP, UDP, FTP, SNMP, HTTP

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 Connection-Oriented Vs. Connectionless

 Addressing
 Connection overhead
 Addressing overhead
 Data delivery order
 Protocols

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 Domain Name System (DNS)

 DNS – A symbolic Domain Meaning

name to identify the Name
host
com Commertial
edu Educational
gov Government
mil Military
net Major Providers
org Non-Profit
country 2-letters code

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 Domain Name Hierarchy

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