What are the three types of distributed systems?

The three main types of distributed systems are:

1. Client-Server Systems

This type involves a central server providing services to multiple client machines over a network.

Key Features:

• Centralized Control: The server handles resource management and service delivery.
• Client Requests: Clients send requests to the server, which processes and responds to them.
• Examples: Email systems, web applications, and online gaming platforms.

Advantages:

• Simplifies resource management.
• Easier to maintain and secure.

Disadvantages:

• Single point of failure in centralized servers.
• Scalability issues with increased client requests.

2. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Systems

In P2P systems, all nodes (peers) act as both clients and servers, sharing resources and services directly with each other.

Key Features:

• Decentralization: No single central server; all nodes are equal.
• Resource Sharing: Nodes share files, data, or processing power.
• Examples: BitTorrent, blockchain networks, and file-sharing platforms.

Advantages:

• Highly scalable.
• Fault-tolerant, as there is no central dependency.

Disadvantages:

• Difficult to manage and secure.
• Resource availability depends on peer participation.

3. Distributed Databases and File Systems

These systems store and manage data across multiple nodes, providing high availability and scalability.

Key Features:

• Data Partitioning and Replication: Data is split across nodes and duplicated for fault tolerance.
• Consistency Models: Strong consistency, eventual consistency, or a mix based on application needs.
• Examples: Google Bigtable, Amazon DynamoDB, and Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS).

Advantages:

• Efficient data access and storage.
• High fault tolerance and performance.

Disadvantages:

• Complex synchronization and consistency management.
• Increased overhead in maintaining distributed data.

Understanding these types of distributed systems helps in designing scalable and fault-tolerant architectures for applications like databases, file systems, and networked services.