distributed computing systems: an overview

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University of Central Florida University of Central Florida STARS STARS Retrospective Theses and Dissertations 1977 Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview Haim Schwarzkopf University of Central Florida Part of the Engineering Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/rtd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation STARS Citation Schwarzkopf, Haim, "Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview" (1977). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 376. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/rtd/376

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Page 1: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

University of Central Florida University of Central Florida

STARS STARS

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

1977

Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

Haim Schwarzkopf University of Central Florida

Part of the Engineering Commons

Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/rtd

University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu

This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for

inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information,

please contact [email protected].

STARS Citation STARS Citation Schwarzkopf, Haim, "Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview" (1977). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 376. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/rtd/376

Page 2: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW -.-

BY

HAIM (JIMMY) SCHWARZKOPF B.S.E., Florida Technological University, 1976

RESEARCH REPORT

Submitted ih partial fulfillment for the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering

in the Graduate Studies Program of the College of Engineering, Florida Technological University

Orlando) Florida 1977

Page 3: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

DEDICATED TO MY PARENTS

Dr. and Mrs. Bedrich Schwarzkopf

who made it all possible

Page 4: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW

ABSTRACT

by

Haim (Jimmy) Schwarzkopf

Associative processors, paraJlel processors, content

addressable parallel processors, networks, and other architectures

have been around the computing scene as "Distributed Processing",

for some time now. Several hundred papers have been written

discussing their use and design but so far no academic work has

tried to summarize the field called "Distributed Processing .. using

a systems approach.

This research report attempts to remedy this lack. It

attempts to gather into one place information that existed as of

late 1976 in a format easily understandable by managers and systems

engineers. The report deals also with certain issues of central­

ization and decentralization of EDP (Electronic Data Processing)

facilities, created by the introduction of distributed computing

systems into industries and businesses.

Page 5: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the members of my committee, Dr. C. S.

Bauer, Dr. H. I. Klee, and Dr. B. W. Lin, for their kind attention

and scholarly advice. I am especially indebted to nr. Christian

Bauer for the many hours spent advising me on the development and

presentati-on of this report. Not only did he give freely of his

time in helping me on this report, but he was responsible for getting

me interested in computers in particular, and systems science in

general.

Finally, I would like to thank the entire C.O.E. faculty for

the excellent program of studies that has been offered to me.

Special thanks to Dr. George F. Schrader, Chairman of the IEMS

Department, who put up with me for the last four years and provided

teaching assistantships which helped to support me during this

period.

Page 6: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

. . . . .

1 .

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

INTRODUCTION . . .

DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS

HORIZONTALLY DISTRIBUTED COMPUTERS

(a) Parallel Processor .... (b) Associative Processors

VON-NEWMANN MACHINE . . . ..

VERTICALLY DISTRIBUTED COMPUTERS

BASIC NETYJORK TYPES

(a) Point-to-Point (b) Multipoint . (c) Centralized or Star . (d) Tree ...... . (e) Loop or Ring .. . (f) Mu1 ti star . . . .

DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING .

HARDWARE COMPONENTS

DISTRIBUTIVE DATA BASES

iv

iii

vi

vii

1

3

6

6 9

10

12

14

14 14 15 16 17 18

19

21

27

10. A REPRESENTATIVE DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING APPLICATION. 31

Page 7: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

11 .

TABLE OF CONTENTS - Continued

CENTRALIZATION vs. DECENTRALIZATION OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS

12. CONCLUSIONS .

BIBLIOGRAPHY . .

v

36

46

48

Page 8: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

TABLE

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

LIST OF TABLES

General and Organizational Considerations; Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General and Organizational Considerations; Disadvantages ....

Cost Factors; Advantages

Cost Factors; Disadvantages

Personnel Considerations; Advantages

vi

Technical Considerations; Programming; Advantages ..

Technical Considerations; Disadvantages ....

Technical Considerations:

Programming;

Operations

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

Page 9: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

1 •

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11 .

LIST OF FIGURES

Division by Types of Distributed Processors

Array Computers

Multiprocessor Computer

Multicontrol Computer

von-Neumann Machine . . . . . . . . .

Point to Point Network ..... .

Multipoint Network ..

Centralized or STAR Network

Tree or Hierarchical Network .

Ring .or Loop Network ... .

MultiStar Network ... .

12. Distributive Processing Environment

v.i i

5

7

8

• • • • 9

. . 10

. 14

. 15

16

. . 16

17

. 18

• 35

Page 10: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

1. INTRODUCTION

The field of Distributed Processing is eliciting a great deal

of interest at the current time. The task undertaken by this

research report .on Distributed Processing was one of searching and

culling the literature on three major topics:

* Distributive Systems and Computer Networks

* Distributive Data Bases

* Centralization vs. Decentralization of

computing systems

Distributed systems hold a special place among currently

feasible computer configurations, simply because they present a

new and attractive alternative to totally centralized or decentralized

systems. Unfortunately, the term 11 distributed processing" means

different things to different people. In the first sections of the

paper a brief explanation of the different hardware configurations

are given.

Distributed data bases are a very important part of the success­

ful Management Information System. They are created by taking

portions or subsets of the overall corporate data base, and putting

them out in the remote locations. The remote site corresponds to

where the data is created and used, and where decisions are made

based upon it. Exception and summary data, which the headquarters

location needs for its data base can be retrieved from the remote

Page 11: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

2

sites at appropriate time intervals. A part .of the paper describes

and explains Distributed Data Bases and its uses.

The organizational authority structure is very important in

determining the chosen information system configuration. Those

organizations accustomed to central control move earliest and most

strongly to centralized data processing; those most devoted to

decentralization move slowly, carefully and with maximum compromise.

The last section of the report covers the EDP related issues in

centralization or decentralization of companies affecting Distributed

Processing.

Page 12: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

3

2. DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS

During the research upon which this report is based, it was

found that highly parallel processors, computers-on-a-chip, networks,

intelligent terminals and others have all been described as

11 distributed" systems. For the purposes of discussion and ease of

understanding, the systems covered by the term distributive proces­

sing will be divided in two main groups: (a) horizontally distri­

buted systems, and (b) vertically distributed systems.

Before defining the two main groups of distributed machines,

the difference between a real DISTRIBUTIVE SYSTEM and one that is

only DISTRIBUTED should be ·noted.

The phrase 11 DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING 11 stands for the use of a

DISTRIBUTIVE SYSTEM, which entails the segmenting of its data bases

and distributing its processing among smaller modules. This system

can be either distributed geographically or the data base segments

and the processor modules could be clustered in only one location.

There are many ways of accomplishing the distribution of

processing. The easiest and most clear division is in the amount of

processing that takes place simultaneously on the "same 11 application

or program. This concept was used when dividing distributed pro­

cessing in two main groups.

Horizontally distributed systems are those systems which can

process data blocks of the same application simultaneously, while

Page 13: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

4

vertically distributed systems process different parts of the data,

at different levels, sending results for further computation from

one to anoth~r_ of the processors.

Figure 1 depicts how these processing concepts have been

classified for the purposes of this report.

Page 14: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

Poi

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to

Poi

nt VE

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ALLY

DI

STRI

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I A

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DIST

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PROC

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Hi e

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or

Rin

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-Ass

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Par

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Fig.

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Dis

trib

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Pro

cess

ors

Ass

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1

Page 15: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

6

3. HORIZONTALLY DISTRIBUTED COMPUTERS

This family of computers are the newest and the most mis­

understood architectures. As is seen in Figure 1, it is made up

mainly of parallel and associative processors with some overlapping.

{a) Parallel Processors

A very rough definition of parallelism is that of putting

together N computers to form a supercomputer. This can be done in

terms of either parallelism within the instruction stream or

parallelism within the data stream or both. This combinations of

parallelism produces 3 types of systems: multicontrol, array,

multiprocessor systems, respectively (Kuck, 1977).

Array computers: this type of a system operates on vectors

as basic units of information. Its parallelism derives from a

parallel data-stream with a single instruction stream. The pro­

cessing power is distributed in that while it executes a single

instruction stream {with loads, adds, stores and branches of a

serial von-Neumann computer), it manipulates whole vectors of data

simultaneously, as shown in Figure 2.

An example of this kind of computer is the ILLIAC IV computer

{Thurber and Wald, 1975).

Page 16: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

Fig. 2. Array Computers

SOURCE: Reddi and Feustel, 1976

7

AM

AM

AM

n 0 3:3: 3:rrl C3: :z 0 ...... ::c n-< )>I -t-t t-40 0 I :z -o V>;o

0 n n 0 rT1 z V) -tV> ;co 0 ;o r-

t ~~

MEMORY

Multiprocessor Computer: this type of a system consists of

N complete computers plus interconnections for passing data and

control information among the computers. It derives its parallelism

from having both a parallel data stream and a parallel instruction

stream. This computer is shown in Figure 3.

An example of this type of system is a machine developed

at Carnegie Mellon University (Enslow, 1977).

Page 17: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

CONTROL UNIT 1

..

CONTROL UNI.T ;-2

CONTROL UNIT ____ ......,. N

PROCESSOR

1

ROCESSO 2

ROCESSOR N

(

8

DATA STREAM 1

DATA STREAM 2

DATA STREAM

N

Fig. 3. Multiprocessor Computer

SOURCE: Reddi and Feustel, 1976

Multicontrol Computers: In this type of computers each

operand is operated upon simultaneously by several instructions. It

derives its parallelism from having a multiple instruction stream

but a single data stream. This computer is shown in Figure 4.

An example of this type of system is the CDC STAR computer

(Bell, 1971).

Page 18: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

9

CONTROL UNIT Instruction 1 1 >

PROCESSOR ~ 1 .

. CONTROL Instruction

UNIT 2 > PROCESSOR '~

2 -l.

CONTROL UNIT n

Instruction n

) ~-P-R_o~_E_s_so_R _ __,~

Fig. 4. Multicontrol Computers

SOURCE: Reddi and Feustel 1976

(b) Associative Processors

DATA STREAM

A very rough definition of ASSOCIATIVE PROCESSORS, also called

Content Addressable Computers, is any machine in which the processing

units (or processing memory) are addressed by a property of the data

contents instead of the memory address itself (Yau and Fung, 1977).

This type of computer will be important in the next generation of

business machines (Foster, 1976). Associative processors can be

either parallel or serial. Examples of associative-parallel computers

include the ILLIAN IV and the Goodyear STARAN machines (Higbie, 1976).

Page 19: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

10

4. THE VON-NEUMANN MACHINE ~.-

In 1946, John von Neumann, a mathematician from the Institute

for Advanced Study at Princeton University described a basic

philosophy of computer design (Stone, 1975). Almost everything

concerning computer design that von-Neumann discussed in his paper

has been incorporated in modern computers. Thus, it is often stated

that the basis for the design of computers is the "von Neumann

Machine".

INPUT ) PROCESSOR OUTPUT

1 f Data/Instruction ,-------~-- Flow

STORAGE

Fig. 5. Von-Neumann Machine

SOURCE: Stone, 1975

This machine works on the basis of a single data/single­

instruction stream sequential organization (Bell, 1971). The

processor has a control unit that identifies input information

either as data or instruction, both of which have to be stored in a

sequential order. These today are the most common machines and are

Page 20: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

11

the building block for the vertically distributed computers.

Vertically distributed computers are the real force behind dis­

tributed proces~ing (March, 1976), that is why the rest of the

research focused nearly in its entirety in this kind of system.

From this point on, in the paper, the terms Distributed Processing

and Vertically Distributed Processing will be used interchangibly.

Page 21: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

12

5. VERTICALLY DISTRIBUTED COMPUTERS

This family of distributive computers, better known as

computer networks can be defined as an interconnected group of

computers, where each either acts as a processing system or as a

communications control system. Computers are generally of the single

data stream/single instruction stream.

The computers in operational control of the network can be

divided in two groups (Nielsen, 1974):

(a) main-site, or host computers

(b) remote computing systems

The host processors in the network perform major computation, control

data bases, and generally supervise operation of the network. They

can share such resources as programs, data bases, and memory space.

Remote computing systems are systems with access to the host

processor, that perform a minor part of the processing before sending

the 11 edited 11 data to the host processor.

The communications control computers are devoted exclusively

to network control functions. These functions include line control,

error checking, message formatting, message switching, and data

con centra ti on.

In addition to the processing and control computers, a typical

network might consist of a wide variety of remote terminals, each

with some processing capability.

Page 22: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

13

To understand vertically distributed processing systems,

first some common network terminology should be defined (Kimbleton

and Sneider, l975):

TOPOLOGY = refers to the geometric arrangement of

links and nodes of a network.

LINK = is the communications path between two nodes

NODE = is the end point of any branch of a network.

In designing a network, many factors must be evaluated in

choosing the most suitable topology. However, one major factor

exerts a pronounced influence on this choice: the type of partic­

ipation by each of the nodes. Any node can be a provider of

resources exclusively, a user of resources exclusively, or some

combination of resource provider and resource user (Lynch, 1976).

Page 23: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

14

6. BASIC NETWORK TYPES

(a) Point to Point: This is the simplest network (Figure 6) made

up of a host processor connected to one communications input/output

device per line. The communication input/output device may be a

terminal or another processor {Nutt, 1975).

HOST COMMUNICATIONS AND/OR PROCESSOR I/ 0 DEVICE

Fig. 6. Point to Point Network

SOURCE: Moore, 1977

(b) Multipoint: In multipoint operation, one station in the network

{normally the host processor) is always designed as the control

station (Figure 7) {Nutt, 1975).

The remaining stations are designated as tributary stations.

The control station controls network traffic by means of polling;

that is, it polls the tributary stations · {which may be terminals

or computers) to send messages. Messages can either go only between

the control station and tributary stations or between all stations.

Page 24: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

~

HOST PROCESSOR

*TRIBUTARY STATIONS

Fig. 7. Multipoint Network

SOURCE: Moore, 1977

15

(c) Centralized or STAR: In this type of system all users comrnun-

icate with a central point that may have supervisory control over

the system. Data movement is outward or inward toward the host

(Figure 8). If communication becomes necessary between the remote

processors or terminals, the host acts as a central message switcher

to pass data between them (DEC, 1974).

Page 25: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

HOST PROCESSOR

Fig. 8. STAR Network

SOURCE: Moore, 1977

*TRIBUTARY STATIONS

16

(Remote Processors)

(d) Tree: When unlike components are connected in a vertical

(Hierarchical) distribution of functions, especially control, a

system like that of Figure 9 res~lts (DEC, 1974).

HOST PROCESSOR

*TRIBUTARY OR REMOTE STATIONS

Fig. 9. Tree or Hierarchical Nen~ork

SOURCE: Moore, 1977

Page 26: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

17

(e) Loop or Ring: In this arrangement, the communication bus is in

a ring configuration shared by all stations. The advantage of this

architecture lies-in the high reliability of the bus, as for example,

technical difficulties in any one point in the ring will not cause

total communications failure. The system is shown in Figure 10

(Acree, 1976).

HOST PROCESSOR

Fig. 10. Ring or Loop Network ,

SOURCE: Moore, 1977

*TRIBUTARY OR REMOTE STATIONS

Page 27: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

18

(f) Multistar: In this configuration there are several supervisory ·

or exchange points, each with its own set of host and remote pro-''·

cessors and a means for direct communication between the points

(Figure 12) (DEC, 1974).

~~*

HOST PROCESSOR

I

HOST PROCESSOR

*

HOST PROCESSOR

*TRIBUTARY OR REMOTE TERMINALS

HOST PROCESSOR

Fig. 11. Mu1tistar Network

SOURCE: Moore, 1977

Page 28: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

19

7. DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING - . -

For the great majority of computer professionals, the different

processing architectures described in the proceeding sections are

only concepts whose importance lies in the understanding of possibil­

itie~ in the future of data processing.

Vertically distributed processing has caught on very fast and

with the proliferation of this type of system, it has grown to the

point where literature, applications and developments are ignoring

the horizontally distributed processors. For the reason mentioned

above, the words distributive processing will be taken to mean

vertically distributed processing in the rest of the report.

Distributed computing is characterized by two distinct but

(Black, 1976) closely related forms of processing; communications

processing and dispersed data processing. Communications processing

provides an intelligent pipeline that permits the effective transfer

of data and control of the machine/machine interfaces. Dispersed

data processing supports the man/machine interfaces that interact

directly with the user.

Both are important, but most of the emphasis and support to

date has been for the communications function because it must be

well (Kimbleton and Sneider, 1975) developed and integrated for a

distributed processing network to work even reasonably well. For

this reason, network definitions and implementations are undergoing

Page 29: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

20

rapid evolutionary development.

A network structure is chosen simply to support the goals

and functions that an organization wishes to implement; it is not an -.-

end result in itself. Most network organizations are generally

reliable with existing hardware and software. They are like social

organizations in that they are organized either hierarchically, with , a powerful central computer acting as a feudal overload of the system,

or anarchically, with the system composed of an association of

independent computers.

It is important to note that all kinds of networks can be

constructed using the same heterogeneous components, although some

manufacturer's network philosophies are predisposed to a specific

structure (the multistar structure may require "some 11 not standard

off-the-shelf hardware and software products) (Hovey, 1976).

Page 30: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

21

8. HARDWARE COMPONENTS

When analyzing the hardware components peculiar to distributive

processing as opposed to more traditional approaches, two types of

components have to be examined (Cooper, 1977).

The first category consists of the processing elements being

linked together to form the network and where defined earlier as

Dispersed Data Processing Equipment. When surveying this category,

the question to keep in mind is: 11 Are there particular types of

equipment more apt to be linked together in distributed networks

as opposed to centra 1 i zed networks? .. (Lynch, 1976)

The second category consists of the communication link itself,

previously defined as Communications Processing Equipment. Focusing

on the equestion of whether there is communication hardware peculiar

to distributed networks because of the distinctive characteristics

of this type of networking. Devices common to all networks are:

(a) Dispersed Data Processing equipment:

Te 1 etypewri ters

CRTs or video display units

Hand-held terminals

Remote batch terminals (high-speed input and output devices)

Intelligent terminals (CRTs equipped with cassettes, stored program capaci ty and even disk storage)

Page 31: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

22

Workstations (clustered terminals ·around a terminal controller)

Industry-application-oriented terminals ---Graphics terminals and plotters

Office computers (designed for magnetic ledger operations)

Small business computers (often minicomputer-based)

Mini computers

General-purpose computers

(b) Communications Processing Equipment:

Corrmon carriers

Multiplexers

Concentrators (often part of clustered terminal packages)

Private branch exchanges (for line switching)

Message switchers

Communications controllers

Communications processors

Communications software

Most distributed processing systems will be built using

minicomputers and small business computers (Kallis, 1977). The

philosophy behind the use of minis - give a user only what he needs

to do a particular job - is similar to the philosophy behind

distributed processing - make the data processing facilities fit .

the applications.

Two newer types of business minis, the personal computers and

Page 32: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

23

the word processors, particularly emphasize this trend toward local

processing and the distributed networks. Both are designed for

nons peci a 1 i zed·, -ncrnprogrammi n g office personne 1 , and both cons e­

quently present interesting management and control problems (Burns,

1977).

Although many factors have combined to make distributed

processing a reality, none has contributed more than minicomputers.

The minicomputer proved to users that dispersing computer power

resulted in quicker turnaround and lower costs. Experience has I

shown that while super hosts were burying user programs in long

batch processing job queues, the minicomputer users were getting

responses in a matter of seconds, usually interactively.

Bureaucracy was not only eliminated at the computer site,

but also during the purchase of the system. The cost of a typical

minicomputer system ($8000 to $150,000) is low enough that the

system can be considered a tool rather than a major capital

expenditure. Thus, fewer management levels need to be consulted

when making a buy decision.

I

If minicomputers and intelligent terminals of all sorts are

particularly characteristic of distributed systems elements, com­

munications processors are particularly characteristic of network

management hardware. There are three main types: front ends, con-

centrators and message switchers.

A front-end processor, by definition, is located with and

Page 33: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

24

attached to one or two specific host computers. ·Its primary function

is to conserve the host computer's resources by assuming some or all

of its communications management responsibilities. As a result, -.-

data received from a network can be presented to a host in a constant

format and from a single defined source. The host can be essentially

free of any direct involvement with network requirements.

In a distributed network, the front-end processor is used in

much the same capacity, but it can interface its host computer(s)

with the network's message-switching element instead of directly

with terminals. For this function, the front-end processor intercepts

and controls all traffic between its host(s) and the network. In

addition, the front-end processor can act as a controller for terminals

and peripherals that are direct subordinates of the host(s).

The remote concentrator, or line concentrator, can be linked

to a front-end processor located away from its host computer rather

than adjacent to it. In fact, many mini-based communication processing

devices can be configured either as front-end processors or as remote

concentrators.

In a distributed network, the remote concentrator can be used

either to offload the host computer and to improve line utilization

or as a network node. On the other hand, a general-purpose mini­

computer or small business computer used as a network node can be

configured to perform remote concentrator functions.

In networks where a large number of terminals exist at the

remote site, the remote concentrator may be required to perform polling

Page 34: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

25

functions, in which case it would be involved in .two different levels

of polling: polling terminals and being polled by the host computer.

Message swttchers have been variously called traffic directors,

message routers and dispatchers. Unlike that of the remote concen­

trator, the message switcher•s output is not necessarily to a host

computer, but to a terminal, remote concentrator or another message

switcher.

A message switcher can be based on either a general-purpose

minicomputer or a special-purpose processor.

Circuit switching by the host computer in a distributed

environment is strictly limited and is usually alone only as an

emergency backup. In networks where a number of remote terminals

have to communicate with one another, as well as with the host com­

puter, the use of a message switcher is cost-effective.

One major feature of a message switcher which a remote con­

centrator generally lacks is the ability to detect and act on a

priority indicator. Also, the message switcher frequently acts on

administrative data and text messages, whereas the remote concentrator

typically acts on data intended to be processed in a computer.

Most users do not buy a whole distributed system. Instead,

they take an existing network, perha~s add more intelligence to

certain elements, change the software in the host and make other

changes necessary to disperse processing. The impetus for these

changes probably came from a need to expand. Instead of upgrading

the host, a remote mini is added and the network architecture is

Page 35: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

26

altered.

Selection of distributed processing system components should

procee~ from performing a study to determine functions and tasks

appropriate or desirable for distribution, to a consideration of

what classes of devices can perform those tasks and functions, to an

evaluation of the various manufacturer's product offerings.

The operational organization of the business is the key to

determining if distributed processing is suitable. The business

structure also holds the answer to component selection once

distributed processing has been decided upon (Doll, 1977}.

Page 36: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

27

9. DISTRIBUTED DATA BASE ---

The tenm distributed data base can be taken to mean either

distributing the data base management function (the control and

manipulation of data) or distributing the content of a data base

(the data itself). These are two very different techniques with two

very ifferent realizations. The data base management function

throughout a network is still in the initial implementation stage

(Champine, 1977). Today the majority of disdtributed data bases

simply mean redundant data. Local copies of data are maintained

at user sites, with most of the same data still retained in a

centralized data base.

Most centralized data bases operate under the integrated

corporate data base (ICDB) concept. Before considering the dis­

tributed data base, it might be well to review the elements of a

centralized data base, the ICDB.

An ICDB environment can be defined as the consideration of the

collection, storage and dissemination of data as a logical, centrally

controlled and standardized utility function (Curtis, 1977).

It should be emphasized that ICDB is not a system; rather it

is a concept under which the information system structure should be

implemented. This implementation, using the ICDB concept, requires

development of the four functional elements (Yasaki, 1977). The four

elements of the ICDB are:

Page 37: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

28

1. Data Bank- the logically centralized repository

all the data utilized in a corporation.

2 . . _Data Base Administrator (DBA) - a person responsible

for coordination of all data-related activities.

3. Data Base Management System (DBMS) - a software

function performing the storage, retrieval and maintenance of data.

4. User/System Interface (USI) - the subsystems necessary

to permit multiple classes and types of users to direct the system to

structure the available data effectively into information and thus

communicate with and fully utilize the resources at their disposal.

Since a centralized data base is a collection of logically

related files at one location, then a distributed data base is a

logical integration of related data bases at a number of locations.

Tnere are various reasons for the necessity of . this integration, two

of which are paramount: it permits users to produce reports

summarizing information from different locations and it provides a

means of employing data stored in another data base. Neither of

these reasons precludes a distributed data base with no redundant

data. And although such a setup is technically feasible, it is

operationally undesirable for reasons of backup, security and

integrity (Korns, 1976).

' There are some design considerations for a sound, shared,

distributed data base. First, the design must be compatible with all

systems within the network. The data base organization~ to be easily

implemented and maintained, should be standardized, and the accessing

Page 38: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

29

languages and data access methods should be compatible with all systems.

To accomplish this, some major problems will have to be solved.

For example, the- DBA must specify the correct data content and logical

organization for each user node; a method must be devised to direct

all users to all data located around the network; and safeguards must

be developed to ensure that all those requesting data are qualified

(Rodriguez, 1976).

The integrated corporate data base concept could be applied to

support an organizationally distributed data base, as well as a

centralized one. Furthermore, DP installations with a multivendor

hardware policy may also take full advantage of the ICDB concept by

logically centralizing the data bases of different vendors• processors

into a single data base.

Storage facilities housing the data base should be designed to

support a full range of storage and accessing requirements. This

can be facilitated by using hierarchial secondary storage.

Different types of secondary storage media offering alternative

access techniques and speeds at correspondingly adjusted costs would

allow the DBA to specify and design the optimum physical storage

configuration for the data base. By providing multiple levels of

hierarchy, an installation can capitalize on the unique requirements

of individual users and save both time and money in the process of

storing and transferring data.

Total system efficiency depends largely on the specific

organization of the data base. There can be only one physical

Page 39: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

30

representation of the data (random or sequential), and the DBA•s

choice as to which representation to employ is important if not

critical. ---

The applications view of the data (sometimes referred to as

the logical representation) is equally important, inasmuch as the

application modules of the user systems will be designed to utilize

these representations. However, the amount of flexibility allowed

in logical representation for applications depends almost entirely

on the specific implementation of the DBMS (Tsichritizis and Cockouski,

1976).

Page 40: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

31

10. A REPRESENTATIVE DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM

A laboratory computer complex can be used to illustrate some

of the principles mentioned in the previous sections (Karp, 1976).

In this example, the computers are attached to analytical instruments,

used to control laboratory experiments and perform data acquisition.

One small computer is dedicated to a nuclear magnetic residence

spectometer, another to an infrared spectometer, and a third to a

mass spectometer. An application program assigned to the computer

system in each instrument manages the experimental apparatus.

The differences between a set-up of stand-alone computers

that partition a data processing workload and a computer network that

integrates these same tasks will now be shown.

In a stand-alone system each instrument's readings are

independent of each other, and either a manual set-up or another

independent computer system would be necessary to merge the analytical

data to determine, let us say, the molecular structure of a complex

organic compound.

Tie the computers together into a network, however, and they

can then do the analysis online. Moreover, the central computer by

maintaining data files on all experimental results can prevent a

researcher from inadvertently repeating an experiment. But even

more important, the research team would have instant access to all

the cumulative data and analyses on a sample because this information

Page 41: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

32

could all reside in a comprehensive network file.

In this laboratory example, the system designer also has an

option to use one- ef two methods to transmit the data around the

system. The dedicated computers could store all the analytical

data generated in an experiment and then use high-speed synchronous

communications to transmit the information to the central computer.

Alternatively, the data could be transmitted piecemeal as determined

by the program using a synchronous data communications techniques.

Either data transmission method requires that the computers

be compatible, and this constraint is typically achieved by means of

software designed to follow a so-called communications protocol. In

other words, all processors linked in a network must 11 Understand 11

all transmitted and received messages. Such compatibility should be

beneficial to users. Networks that are constructed from a diversity

of computer brands tend to require more than one protocol, and this

can cause transmissions delay. Before re-transmitting a communication,

a processor will have to reformat the received message so that it can

match the protocol required by the non-compatible computer.

Networks can perform other functions besides distributing a

data processing workload. Many networks are used to provide redundancy

and back-up as a security measure. And even when setting up stand­

alone computers, designers should consider creating a system that

could be integrated into a network to meet unforeseen or expansion

needs. The designer can build a network in increments according to

need and cash availability.

Page 42: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

33

As was explained a network distributes computer functions

among its elements according to the organizational structure, locations,

and tries to get -tfle most cost-effective arrangement in the specific

application (Benson, 1976).

An example of the above statement can be seen in the mock-up

of a distributed processing network within a single company depicted

in Figure 12. This company is made up of Research & Development,

Manufacturing and Sales (Karp, 1976).

Scientists in the research and development division work on

laboratory experiments and gather data for analysis. Each lab uses

a dedicated minicomputer having disk storage and a printer; but the

cost of individual computers are high. So, a resource sharing

computer network is employed. The large, expensive peripherals reside

at a central host computer. Each lab has a relatively small satelite

system that includes a console terminal. Scientists use the terminal

to edit, compile and transmit data and programs for storage and

execution.

The manufacturing division, aiming to automate plant operations,

wants to control raw material input, the manufacturing machinery,

and also operation of an automated warehouse for finished goods

storage. The management also wants access to current inventories

and stock levels. A hierarchical distributed computer network can

distribute the tasks to individual computers, each specifically

designed to handle a function and each in communications with all

other systems. For example, realtime process control systems control

Page 43: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

34

the actual manufacturing operations, and are in turn linked to

supervisory systems that control overall parts flow. The supervisory

system computers .pass data to a transaction-processing or other large

system for management control.

The sales offices that are widely dispersed need data to access

current inventory information and shipping dates, not individual

telephone lines to a central computer are expensive. A communications

network that significantly reduces line costs is installed. It

contains terminal concentrators at local regional centers to switch

data traffic over high speed lines to the central system. These

data can be terminal input or data-pre-input on disk or magnetic tape.

Processed information can be shipped back to the offices, to terminals

or disk storage for later printing offline.

In the example, the mechanism for data communications between

programs and devices on different systems and on computers running

under different operating systems would be the relatively high levels

of software sophistication and expense.

Page 44: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

RESE

ARCH

&

DEVE

LOPM

ENT

Smal

l Sm

all

Cam

p.

Com

p. I

Smal

l M

ini

(Hos

t)

Com

p. Co

mp.

Loc

atio

n 1

The

com

pute

rs

here

sh

ould

be

HORI

ZONT

ALLY

DI

STRI

BUTE

D fo

r fa

ster

re

spon

se

tim

es.

Min

i

/(H

ost)

Co

mp.

Smal

l Co

mp. '

Ter

min

als

Smal

l Co

mp.

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tern

R

egio

n S

ales

I T

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Rin

g or

STA

R S

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ture

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etw

ork

MAN

UFAC

TURI

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Mic

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. ( H

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p. ·

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p.

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atio

n 2

CENT

RAL

EDP

Mul

tist

ar S

truc

ture

d (H

OST)

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etw

ork

INST

ALLA

TION

~

·

~

Eas

tern

R

egio

n S

ales

Smal

l Co

mp.

I T

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s

Fig.

12

. D

istr

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roce

ssin

g.

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i /(

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mp.

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I T

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""C

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SOUR

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E

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01

Page 45: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

11. CENTRALIZATION AND DECENTRALIZATION OF COMPUTING SYSTEMS

36

The issue of centralization of information systems has been

unleashed by the increasing number of Distributed Computing Systems.

Furthermore, the centralization-decentralization problem is complex

and important enough, so that any paper dealing with Distributed

Processing should cover at least the most important aspect of the

problem: the centralization-decentralization decision.

Articles on the advantages and disadvantages of centralization

and/or decentralization abound in the literature (Fleming, 1976;

Reynolds, 1977 et al.). Since different authors have different

assumptions and approach the problem somewhat differently, the

arguments are not strictly comparable. For this reason, a table

summarizing most of the pro and con arguments advance in the

literature is condenced in Tables 1-8.

The problems of pure EDP centralization and decentralization

have produced the "common alternatives .. where distributive processing

fits best (Doll, 1977; Atrick, 1976). Some of them are:

1. Operations centralized and system development left to

division - this is an alternative most often adopted in large

organizations producing highly technical products, such as aerospace

manufacturers, with large amounts of scientific and engineering

processing.

Page 46: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

37

2. System developme"t centralized and operations

dispersed - · this is an alternative usually found in large business

organizations wit~ geographically dispersed divisions performing

identical functions, none of them of such a nature that very large

computers are required.

3. Central control of equipment acquisitions and central

development of applications common to an entire functional area -

this compromise is generally found in large, geographically dispersed

companies whose divisions and subsidiaries have products representing

a compromise between diversity and commonality.

4. One larger centralized computer plus smaller satellite

computers and remote job entry terminals, and centralized development

augmented by small development groups for unique local needs - a

compromise somewhat simpler than the one above, more appropriate in

smaller and less diversified companies.

5. Centralization of policies for equipment acquisition

and personnel training, some centralized standards, and common

systems for management reporting - this alternative is the most

appropriate to multi-national corporations, where multi-lingual and

multi-cultural factors exist, and different equipment is superior in

different countries.

Page 47: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

Cen

tral

ized

Sys

tem

s

*eas

ier

cons

olid

atio

n of

com

pany

­w

ide

oper

atin

g re

sult

s *e

ase

of c

ontr

ol

& co

ordi

nati

on

, by

co

rpor

atio

n m

anag

emen

t *e

nhan

ces

corp

orat

e co

nsol

idat

ion

*can

lea

d to

in

tegr

atio

n of

oth

er

adm

inis

trat

ive

func

tion

s *e

asie

r to

im

plem

ent

and

mai

ntai

n s t

anda

r'ds

*sha

red

deve

lopm

ent

cost

s · *

sma 1

1 us

er a

cces

s to

1 ar

ge C

PU

*a

grea

ter

vari

ety

of s

ervi

ces

and

prog

ram

s ca

n be

off

ered

*u

ser

reli

eved

of

mgt

. &

oper

atio

n of

com

pute

r fa

cili

ty

, *ea

sier

to

dir

ect

over

all

use

of

com

putin

g

TABL

E 1

GENE

RAL

AND

ORGA

NIZA

TION

AL C

ONSI

DERA

TION

S

Dec

entr

aliz

ed

Syst

ems

*p

rofi

t &

loss

res

po

nsi

bil

ity

*

fam

ilia

rity

wit

h lo

cal

prob

lem

s *r

apid

res

pons

e to

loc

al

need

s (a

lso

less

for

mal

} *s

peci

al

prog

ram

s an

d se

rvic

es

can

be

tail

ore

d t

o di

visi

on

need

s *e

asie

r con~unication

betw

een

OP a

nd

user

(m

ore

invo

lvem

ent)

· *

11ha

nds-

on11

ex

peri

ence

for

us

ers

pass

ib 1

e . *

mor

e fl

exi

bi 1

i ty

in c

opin

g w

ith

cris

es a

nd. c

hang

es

in p

lan

*b

ette

r se

rvic

e-un

der

user

co

ntro

l *

flex

ibil

ity

in

alig

ning

EDP

w

ith

orga

niz.

ph

iloso

phy

Dis

trib

uted

S

stem

s *f

eeli

ng o

f ex

clus

ive

use

by

user

org

aniz

atio

n *w

hen

usin

g st

anda

rd

equi

pmen

t; th

e de

velo

p­m

ent

of

appl

icat

ions

&

tran

sfer

of

pers

onne

l be

twee

n di

visi

ons

easi

er.

*per

mit

s th

e m

ovin

g of

11ex

tra

11

com

pute

r eq

uip­

men

t to

div

isio

ns w

ith

an e

xtra

loa

d.

*red

uces

the

num

ber

of

sepa

rate

equ

ipm

ent

\'lh ·i

1 e a

11 o

win

g de

cen­

tral

ized

DP

adva

ntag

es

~-----·--------------------------------

--------------------------~~-------------------------~

w

00

Page 48: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

TABL

E 2

GENE

RAL

AND

ORGA

NIZA

TION

AL C

ONSI

DERA

TION

S DI

SADV

ANTA

GES

Dec

entr

aliz

ed

Cen

tra 1

i zed

Sys

t_e_m

_s __ ·-----t-----~

5 ter

ns

Dis

trib

uted

Sy

stem

s

*man

agem

ent

prob

lem

s as

soci

ated

w

ith

larg

e st

affs

*p

rone

to

caus

e b

arri

ers

to

acce

ptan

ce

*mor

e li

kel

y t

o ca

use

po

liti

cal

prob

lem

s-

: *hi

gher

ris

k of

fai

lure

1

*mor

e ri

gid

: an

y ch

ange

may

ha

ve s

erio

us r

amif

icat

ions

*r

equi

res

top

mgm

t. in

volv

emen

t *m

ore

vuln

erab

le t

o co

rpor

ate

over

head

re

duct

ion

*man

agem

ent

prob

lem

s as

soci

ated

w

ith

cent

rali

zed

orga

niza

tion

s:

-sta

ndar

diza

tion

-a

ssig

ning

per

form

ance

re

s po

ns ib

i 1 i t

y -a

gree

men

t on

pri

ori

ties

-s

ched

ulin

g pr

oble

ms

-exp

ense

all

ocat

ion

& p

rici

ng

*st

rict

cont

rols

and

sta

ndar

ds

requ

ired

to

prev

ent

dupl

icat

ion

of s

oftw

are

deve

lopm

ent

*no

prof

essi

onal

ED

P m

anag

emen

t *s

epar

ate

equi

pmen

t ac

quis

itio

n st

udie

s &

inte

rcha

ngea

bili

ty

*add

itio

nal

cont

rols

&

stan

dard

s fo

r:

-ens

urin

g co

mm

unic

atio

n be

twee

n si

tes

-saf

egua

rd a

cces

s to

d

istr

ibu

ted

dat

a ba

se

-peo

ple

in D

P re

quir

ed

to h

ave

two

man

ager

s.

*pro

blem

s of

net

wor

k m

anag

emen

t: -i

ncom

e al

loca

tio

n

-exp

ense

all

oca

tio

n

-ass

igni

ng p

erfo

rman

ce

res

pons

i bi

1 i t

y -a

gree

men

t on

p

rio

riti

es

Page 49: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

TABL

E 3

COST

FAC

TORS

: AD

VANT

AGE

Cen

tral

ized

Sys

tem

s D

ecen

tral

ized

D

istr

ibut

ed

Syst

ems

Syst

ems

---------------------------------+--------~----------------~------------------~

,------~

*eco

nom

ies

of

scal

e in

mai

n fr

ames

*e

cono

mie

s of

sca

le i

n m

ass

stor

age

devi

ces

*red

uced

rec

ord

stor

age

dupl

icat

ion

*red

uced

sit

e p

repa

rati

on

and

prot

ecti

on c

osts

*f

ewer

ope

rato

rs

requ

ired

*

full

er u

tili

zati

on

of

proc

essi

ng c

apab

ilit

y.

*low

er c

omm

unic

atio

n co

sts

*mod

est

star

t-u

p c

osts

*l

ow

incr

emen

tal

expa

nsio

n co

sts

*hig

her

shar

e of

raw

co

mpu

ting

pow

er

avai

labl

e to

use

r *a

void

s ce

rtai

n u

ser-

com

pute

r co

mm

unic

atio

n co

sts

rela

ted

m

ore

to a

dmin

istr

atio

n th

an

to o

pera

tion

s *

bet

ter

cost

/per

form

ance

*

fast

er r

eact

ion

to n

ew

tech

nolo

gica

l ad

vanc

es

*dep

ends

on

th

e am

ount

of

cen

tral

izat

ion

or

dece

ntra

liza

tion

of

the

syst

em.

Als

o de

pend

s on

th

e ac

tual

ne

twor

k an

d da

ta b

ase

stru

ctu

res

Page 50: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

TABL

E 4

COST

FA

CTOR

S: DI

SADV

ANTA

GES

Cen

tral

ized

Sys

tem

s D

ecen

tral

ized

Sys

tem

s D

istr

ibut

ed S

yste

ms '

*may

req

uire

cos

tly

cont

rols

*s

ome

idle

res

ourc

es

*hig

h co

sts

for ex

tens

i~e

conv

ersi

on

*dan

ger

of e

xpen

sive

ove

rhea

d *p

ossi

ble

dupl

i ca

tion

of

*hig

h co

mm

unic

atio

n co

sts

soft

war

e co

sts -

Page 51: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

Cen

tral

ized

Sys

tem

s

*gen

eral

sh

orta

ge o

f co

mpe

tent

D

.P.

pers

onne

l *b

ette

r av

aila

bil

ity

in

met

ropo

lita

n ce

nter

s *m

ore

effi

cien

t us

e of

pe

rson

nel

tale

nts

(sp

ecia

li­

zati

on}

, *la

rger

and

mor

e ex

pert

poo

l of

con

sult

ants

*b

road

er c

aree

r op

port

unit

ies

-m

ore

attr

acti

ve

posi

tion

. *

high

er s

tand

ards

due

to

mor

e co

mpe

titi

ve s

alar

y le

vels

*p

erso

nnel

tu

rnov

er l

ess

crit

ical

*

:fer

tili

zati

on

*r

otat

ion

of p

erso

nnel

m

ore

natu

ra 1

TABL

E 5

PERS

ONNE

L CO

NSID

ERAT

IONS

: AD

VANT

AGES

Dec

entr

aliz

ed

Syst

ems

*gre

ater

in

tere

st a

nd m

otiv

atio

n at

loc

al

leve

l *

iden

tifi

cati

on

with

th

e m

issi

on

of t

he s

ub-o

rgan

izat

ion

*les

s ri

sk o

f pe

rson

nel

turn

over

*m

ore

oppo

rtun

itie

s to

co

mm

unic

ate

with

(a

nd

tran

sfer

in

to)

lin

e m

anag

emen

t *l

ess

skil

led

per

sonn

el

requ

ired

Dis

trib

uted

Sy

stem

s

*dep

ends

on

th

e am

ount

of

cen

tral

izat

ion

or

dece

ntra

liza

tion

of

the

syst

em.

Als

o de

pend

s on

th

e ac

tual

ne

twor

k an

d da

ta b

ase

stru

ctu

res.

Page 52: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

TABL

E 6

TECH

NICA

L CO

NSID

ERAT

IONS

-PRO

GRAM

MIN

G AD

VANT

AGES

Cen

tral

ized

Sys

tem

s D

ecen

tral

ized

D

istr

ibut

ed

.. ~---------

----

----

----

------4----------~Sy~s_t_e_m_s __

____

·---

------r-----S~y_s_t_e_m_s _

____

~'------~

.. *mor

e so

phis

tica

ted

soft

war

e *

bet

ter

serv

ice

to p

rogr

amm

ers

and

user

s -s

yste

m s

oftw

are

can

prov

ide

help

-g

reat

er s

elec

tio

n o

f pr

ogra

mm

ing

lang

uage

s,

debu

g ai

ds,

etc

. *c

an h

andl

e 1 a

rge

prog

ram

s,

no

need

to

bre

ak u

p pr

oble

m

*eas

ier

to

impl

emen

t ch

ange

s in

dat

a ba

se t

echn

olog

y *e

cono

mie

s o

f in

tegr

ated

re

quir

emen

ts

-

*sm

alle

r pr

ogra

ms-

need

to

han

dle

only

on

loca

l si

tuat

ion

*e

asy

to s

atis

fy "

hand

-on"

re

quir

e­m

ent fo~ te

stin

g p

urpo

ses

*ea

sier

to

add

ne

w ap

plic

atio

ns

and

serv

ices

*f

orce

s m

odul

ar

prog

ram

min

g;

e~sier

to d

ebug

an

d m

aint

ain

*pro

gres

sive

app

roac

h to

in

stal

lin

g

syst

ems

(pro

ject

s br

eak

up

natu

rall

y)

*les

s sp

ecia

lize

d su

ppor

t

*dep

ends

on

th

e am

ount

of

cen

tral

izat

ion

or

dece

ntra

liza

tion

of

the

syst

em.

Als

o de

pend

s on

th

e ac

tual

ne

twor

k an

d da

ta b

ase

stru

ctu

re.

-

Page 53: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

Cen

tral

ized

Sys

tem

s

*mul

tipro

gram

min

g li

mit

s pr

ogra

mm

ers

*vir

tual

sto

rage

co

nfl

icts

with

m

odul

ar p

rogr

amm

ing

*mut

ual

inte

rdep

ende

nce

betw

een

jobs

com

plic

ate

both

de

velo

p­m

ent

and

oper

atio

ns

TABL

E 7

TECH

NICA

L CO

NSID

ERAT

IONS

: PR

OGRA

MMIN

G DI

SADV

ANTA

GES

Dec

entr

aliz

ed

Sys t

erns

*for

ces

mod

ular

pro

gram

min

g w

hich

is

dif

ficu

lt t

o im

plem

ent

*hav

e th

e pr

oble

ms

with

cu

rren

t m

inis

an

d m

icro

s:

-lit

tle a

ddre

ssab

le s

pace

-n

on-c

ompa

tibi

lity

(ev

en w

ithi

n br

ands

) -n

o ch

oice

s be

twee

n so

ftw

are

vend

ors

Dis

trib

uted

Sy

stem

s

*dep

ends

on

th

e am

ount

o

f ce

ntr

aliz

atio

n o

r de

cent

rali

zati

on o

f th

e sy

stem

. A

lso

depe

nds

on t

he a

ctua

l ne

twor

k an

d da

ta c

ase

stru

ctu

res

Page 54: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

Cen

tral

ized

Sys

tem

s

ADVA

NTAG

ES

*red

uced

mea

n va

rian

ce o

n tu

rn

arou

nd

tim

e, w

hich

m

eans

b

ette

r se

rvic

e.

*a g

reat

er v

arie

ty o

f se

rvic

es

and

prog

ram

s ca

n be

off

ered

*l

ess

disr

upti

on w

hen

user

mov

es

(if

both

sit

es

use

sam

e fa

ci 1

i tie

s)

DISA

DVAN

TAGE

S

*sys

tem

sof

twar

e is

com

plex

an

d re

sour

ce c

onsu

min

g

TABL

E 8

TECH

NICA

L CO

NSID

ERAT

IONS

: OP

ERAT

IONS

Dec

entr

aliz

ed

Syst

ems

ADVA

NTAG

ES

*mor

e fa

ult

to

lera

nt

desi

gn

*ea

sier

to

add

new

serv

ice

*les

s sp

ecia

lize

d su

ppor

t ne

cess

ary

*new

er h

ardw

are

tech

nolo

gy o

n av

erag

e

DISA

DVAN

TAGE

S

*use

r m

ay w

ant

to s

tep-

up

to m

ore

eleg

ant

syst

em

*mor

e fr

eque

nt b

reak

dow

ns

Dis

trib

uted

Sy

stem

s

ADVA

NTAG

ES

*hig

her

reli

abil

ity

*

bet

ter

data

com

mun

icat

ions

pe

rfor

man

ce

(few

er

info

rmat

ion

erro

rs)

*fl

exib

ilit

y a

s to

loc

atio

n of

sit

e

*cha

nce

for

bet

ter

secu

rity

DISA

DVAN

TAGE

S

*sys

tem

sof

twar

e is

com

plex

; an

d re

sour

ce c

onsu

min

g

L----------------------------------------------------------~--------------·-------

-------------

Page 55: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

46

12. CONCLUSION

To some, distributed systems represent solutions to complex

problems; to others, they create problems too complex for solution.

However, distributed systems (horizontal and vertical) are coming

and both computer professionals and functional management must be

prepared.

Navy Captain Grace Hopper is often quoted (Withinton, 1973)

about a logging operation that uses oxen. When a log is too big

for one ox, they don•t send for an elephant, they use two oxen. So

too with computers according to some distributed systems advocates;

use small or medium scale computers and add another computer as the

work load increases.

If compatible systems (oxen) are used, the interface works.

Suppose, however, to interface an ox and a horse? An incompatibi 1ity -

would exist. A special interface could be design~d and built, but

at significant expense. This illustrates the hardware interface

problem.

Now suppose two oxen were interfaced correctly, but they are

not trained (programmed) to work as a team. A fight could develop

or they could refuse to pull at all. This illustrates software

incompatibility problems.

If both problems are addressed thoroughly, however, a successful

Page 56: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

47

distributed system can be attained. In a successful distributed

system of the 1980's one can expect to find an optimal mixture of

horizontal and vertical distributed computers in an on-line total

information system.

It is important to mention the fact that several mainframe

and minicomputer manufacturers like IBM, Digital Equipment, Texas

Instruments and Hewlett-Packard in particular, have started

advocating and supporting the concepts of distributed processing

(Wang, 1976; HP, 1976) outlined in this report. This enhances

the feasibility of successfully implementing such a configuration,

and makes the understanding of the choice process even more critical.

This choice of a system network is dependent on the characteristics

of the applications and how close a network can simulate the

organizational structure, speed and information flow desired.

Finally, the total cost of a distributed system is still higher than

that of a centralized system because of software development and

communications costs. But as hardware costs decreased this last

decade, so software costs are expected to decrease in the next

decade (Eker, 1976; Bremmer. 1976).

Page 57: Distributed Computing Systems: an Overview

48

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