Introduction to Distributed Systems
A distributed system is a network of computers that are connected to each other in order to share resources and information. The term “distributed” refers to the fact that the different computers in the system are located in different places.
There are many different types of distributed systems, but they all have one thing in common: they allow for the sharing of resources and information between different computers.
Examples of Distributed Systems
Some examples of distributed systems include:
1. Client-server networks: In a client-server network, there is one central server that provides services to many different clients. The clients can be located in different places, and they access the server over a network.
2. Peer-to-peer networks: In a peer-to-peer network, there is no central server; instead, each computer in the network is both a client and a server. The computers in the network connect to each other directly, and they share resources and information with each other.
3. Grid computing: Grid computing is a type of distributed system that allows for the sharing of computing resources, such as processors and storage space.
4. Cloud computing: Cloud computing is a type of distributed system that allows users to access services and resources that are provided by a network of computers.
Applications of Distributed Systems
Distributed systems can be used for many different purposes, including:
1. File sharing: In a distributed file system, files are stored on different computers in the network, and users can access the files from any computer in the network.
2. Printer sharing: In a distributed printing system, printers are connected to different computers in the network, and users can print to any printer in the network.
3. Database sharing: In a distributed database, the database is stored on different computers in the network, and users can access the database from any computer in the network.
4. Application sharing: In a distributed application, the application is divided into different parts that run on different computers in the network. Users can access the application from any computer in the network.
