7.4 Distributed systems

Question 1

centrally controlled system definition

Answer 1

a system with a dedicated computer system that is responsible for all the necessary calculations

Question 2

distributed systems definition

Answer 2

a system with multiple computers, with each one performing part of the necessary calculations

Question 3

expanding a distributed system

Answer 3

easy to do by just adding new traffic lights and their infrastructure, and does not affect the rest of the system

Question 4

operationg of a distributed system

Answer 4

can operate when the central computer is not available

Question 5

distribute systems and the central computer

Answer 5

connection is limited and only necessary for synchronization purposes

Question 6

distributed system commands

Answer 6

does not receive or transmit mandatory real-time control commands over the communications network

Question 7

distributed system pros

Answer 7

• resources distributed across various systems; each system self-sustained
• each system to operate on its own
• even without connection to central systems, the system would still function
• easily expandable

Question 8

distributed system cons

Answer 8

• cost high - requires additional hardware and special software to allow it to operate independently
• backups require more bandwidth and resources at each site
• more complex
• security - difficult to secure a number of systems than a single one

Question 9

what do centralized systems use?

Answer 9

terminals attached to a central computer

Question 10

centralized systems and peripherals

Answer 10

can control peripherals directly (physically connected) or use terminals

Question 11

centralized systems benefits

Answer 11

• all resources reside in a single computer system
• lower operational costs (each client needs minimal hardware)
• greater security
• less administrative overhead and backup complexity
• greater overall control

Question 12

centralized systems cons

Answer 12

• clients need to connect to the central system to perform any actions - connection a probable point of failure
• if one computer system or connection fails it all goes down

Question 13

autonomous agents

Answer 13

• can apply pre-programmed actions and build their own sets of actions through learning algorithms
• environment play a big role

Question 14

examples of autonomous agents

Answer 14

• buyer agents
• user agents
• monitoring and surveillance agents
• date mining agents

Question 15

properties of environment

Answer 15

• accesible/inaccessabile
• determinsitic/non-determinsitic
• episodic/non-episodic
• static/dynamic
  -discrete/continuous

Question 16

example uses of autonomous agents

Answer 16

• space missions
• warehouses
• cars
• video games