Introduction

TCS-801 Distributed Computing Systems

(Slides include materials from Operating System Concepts, 7th ed., by Silbershatz, Galvin, & Gagne, Distributed Systems: Principles & Paradigms, 2nd ed. By Tanenbaum and Van Steen, and Modern Operating Systems, 2nd ed., by Tanenbaum)

CS-4513 D-term 2008

Introduction

What is Distributed Computing?

CS-4513 D-term 2008

Introduction

Distributed System
Collection of computers that are connected together and (sometimes) interact Many independent problems at same time
Similar Different

Or
One very big problem (or a small number)

Computations that are physically separated

Client-server Inherently dispersed computations
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Distributed Computing Spectrum

Many independent computations at same time
Similar e.g., banking & credit card; airline reservations Different e.g., university computer center; your own PC

Or
One very big problem (or a few)

Computations that are physically separated

Client-server Inherently dispersed computations

CS-4513 D-term 2008

Introduction

Multiprocessing Distributed Computing (a spectrum)

Many independent problems at same time
Similar e.g., banking & credit card; airline reservations Different e.g., university computer center; your own PC

Or
One very big problem (too big for one computer)
Weather modeling, Finite element analysis; Drug discovery; Gene modeling; Weapons simulation; etc.

Computations that are physically separated

Client-server Inherently dispersed computations

CS-4513 D-term 2008

Introduction

Observation
Same spectrum applies to multiprocessor systems
Much more tightly coupled that traditional distributed systems

Some differences
Multiprocessor systems
Usually under same management, often in same room Very fast communication

Distributed systems
Sometimes not under same management Slower communication
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Observation
Same spectrum applies to multiprocessor systems
Much more tightly coupled that traditional distributed systems

Some differences
Multiprocessor systems
Usually under same management Very fast communication

Distributed systems
Sometimes not under same management Slower communication
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Lets look at an example

An inherently distributed computation
I.e., parts of the computation must occur at physically separate locations Under separate administrations

Internet routing tables

CS-4513 D-term 2008

Introduction

The Internet
A vast collection of independent computers
~ 600 106

All connected together Any computer can send a message to any other Messages broken up into little packets Question: how do packets find their way to destinations?
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Internet

CS-4513 D-term 2008

Introduction

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