Distributed Systems Architectures

Charles Williams

Colorado Technical University/ Unit 2 DB

Prof. Kenneth Orgill

4/10/18

Distributed System Architecture

A distributed system is a system whose components are located on a network of computers with the capability of coordinating and communicating with each other through passing messages to each other. The Distributed system’s components interact with each other in a bid to attain their objective. The distributed systems cooperate and coordinate with each other to solve a problem that cannot be solved by an individual system. This is done on different computers that do not share any common memory (Guo, Ngai, Yang & Liang, 2015). Instead, each computer has its own memory and it can run its own its own operating systems. The main objective of the distributed system is different networks work as a single computer. They are associated with many benefits such as being easily expanded to add more machines and the provision of similar services which makes it easier to continue working even if one machine breaks down. This paper discusses the fundamental components of distributed systems, compares and contrasts the advantage of two distributed systems architecture.

There are several components of distributed systems. These include the hardware component, the software component, the application component and the middleware component. The hardware component is the physical component of the system. On the other hand, the software component breathes life into the hardware component (Peng, Li, Zhao & Wang, 2015). The hardware component communicates with the software component and coordinates their actions by relaying messages. Both the hardware and the software components are connected through a communication network. Elsewhere, the middleware is a component that produces a unified distributed programming with the user interface. This component is located between the application and the platform with the main objective of hiding heterogeneity. The last component is the application component allows the users to interact with the computer system.

There are several distributed system architectural styles. These include but not limited to a layered architecture and object-based architecture. The layered architecture separates the component layers from each other which gives it a modular approach. On the other hand, the object based architecture is designed based on the loosely held arrangement of objects. This architecture is less structured compared to others. There are several similarities associated with the advantages of both layered and object-based architecture. For instance, both are easy to maintain which makes them improve the quality of the system (Dhawan, Price & Sindhwani, 2016). In contrast, the layered architecture envisages such shortcomings as user-intensive applications taking too long if the layering preclude the use of user interface components. On the other hand, object-based architecture is prone to failing to complete solutions within a specified time frame.

In summary, the distributed system’s components interact with each other in a bid to attain their objective. The main objective of the distributed system is different networks work as a single computer. The components of the distributed system include the hardware component, the software component, the application component and the middleware component. The hardware component is the physical component of the system. Some of the distributed architectural styles include a layered architecture and object-based architecture.

Reference

Dhawan, V., Price, T. M., & Sindhwani, M. (2016). U.S. Patent No. 9,253,301. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Guo, Z. X., Ngai, E. W. T., Yang, C., & Liang, X. (2015). An RFID-based intelligent decision support system architecture for production monitoring and scheduling in a distributed manufacturing environment. International journal of production economics, 159, 16-28.

Peng, M., Li, Y., Zhao, Z., & Wang, C. (2015). System architecture and key technologies for 5G heterogeneous cloud radio access networks. IEEE Network, 29(2), 6-14.