Distributed Database System

A distributed database is basically a database that is not limited to one system, it is spread over
different sites, i.e, on multiple computers or over a network of computers. A distributed database
system is located on various sites that don’t share physical components. This may be required
when a particular database needs to be accessed by various users globally. It needs to be
managed such that for the users it looks like one single database.

Types:

1. Homogeneous Database:

In a homogeneous database, all different sites store database identically. The operating
system, database management system, and the data structures used – all are the same at all
sites. Hence, they’re easy to manage.

2. Heterogeneous Database:
In a heterogeneous distributed database, different sites can use different schema and
software that can lead to problems in query processing and transactions. Also, a particular
site might be completely unaware of the other sites. Different computers may use a
different operating system, different database application. They may even use different
data models for the database. Hence, translations are required for different sites to
communicate.

Distributed Data Storage :

There are 2 ways in which data can be stored on different sites. These are:

1. Replication –
In this approach, the entire relationship is stored redundantly at 2 or more sites. If the
entire database is available at all sites, it is a fully redundant database. Hence, in
replication, systems maintain copies of data.

This is advantageous as it increases the availability of data at different sites. Also, now query
requests can be processed in parallel.
However, it has certain disadvantages as well. Data needs to be constantly updated. Any change
made at one site needs to be recorded at every site that relation is stored or else it may lead to
inconsistency. This is a lot of overhead. Also, concurrency control becomes way more complex
as concurrent access now needs to be checked over a number of sites.

2. Fragmentation –
In this approach, the relations are fragmented (i.e., they’re divided into smaller parts) and
each of the fragments is stored in different sites where they’re required. It must be made
sure that the fragments are such that they can be used to reconstruct the original relation
(i.e, there isn’t any loss of data).
Fragmentation is advantageous as it doesn’t create copies of data, consistency is not a
problem.

Fragmentation of relations can be done in two ways:

 Horizontal fragmentation – Splitting by rows –

The relation is fragmented into groups of tuples so that each tuple is assigned to at least
one fragment.

 Vertical fragmentation – Splitting by columns –

The schema of the relation is divided into smaller schemas. Each fragment must contain a
common candidate key so as to ensure a lossless join.

In certain cases, an approach that is hybrid of fragmentation and replication is used.

Applications of Distributed Database:

 It is used in Corporate Management Information System.

 It is used in multimedia applications.

 Used in Military’s control system, Hotel chains etc.

 It is also used in manufacturing control system.

A distributed database system is a type of database management system that stores data across
multiple computers or sites that are connected by a network. In a distributed database system,
each site has its own database, and the databases are connected to each other to form a single,
integrated system.

The main advantage of a distributed database system is that it can provide higher availability
and reliability than a centralized database system. Because the data is stored across multiple
sites, the system can continue to function even if one or more sites fail. In addition, a distributed
database system can provide better performance by distributing the data and processing load
across multiple sites.

There are several different architectures for distributed database systems, including:

Client-server architecture: In this architecture, clients connect to a central server, which

manages the distributed database system. The server is responsible for coordinating transactions,
managing data storage, and providing access control.

Peer-to-peer architecture: In this architecture, each site in the distributed database system is
connected to all other sites. Each site is responsible for managing its own data and coordinating
transactions with other sites.

Federated architecture: In this architecture, each site in the distributed database system
maintains its own independent database, but the databases are integrated through a middleware
layer that provides a common interface for accessing and querying the data.

Distributed database systems can be used in a variety of applications, including e-commerce,

financial services, and telecommunications. However, designing and managing a distributed
database system can be complex and requires careful consideration of factors such as data
distribution, replication, and consistency.

Advantages of Distributed Database System :

1) There is fast data processing as several sites participate in request processing.

2) Reliability and availability of this system is high.
3) It possess reduced operating cost.
4) It is easier to expand the system by adding more sites.
5) It has improved sharing ability and local autonomy.

Disadvantages of Distributed Database System :

Difference between Centralized Database and Distributed Database

1. Centralized Database:

A centralized database is basically a type of database that is stored, located as well as

maintained at a single location only. This type of database is modified and managed from that
location itself. This location is thus mainly any database system or a centralized computer
system. The centralized location is accessed via an internet connection (LAN, WAN, etc).
This centralized database is mainly used by institutions or organizations.

Advantages:

 Since all data is stored at a single location only thus it is easier to access and coordinate
data.

 The centralized database has very minimal data redundancy since all data is stored in a
single place.

 It is cheaper in comparison to all other databases available.

Disadvantages:

 The data traffic in the case of a centralized database is more.

 If any kind of system failure occurs in the centralized system then the entire data will be
destroyed.

2. Distributed Database:
A distributed database is basically a type of database which consists of multiple databases
that are connected with each other and are spread across different physical locations. The
data that is stored in various physical locations can thus be managed independently of other
physical locations. The communication between databases at different physical locations is
thus done by a computer network.

Advantages:

 This database can be easily expanded as data is already spread across different physical
locations.

 The distributed database can easily be accessed from different networks.

 This database is more secure in comparison to a centralized database.

Disadvantages:

 This database is very costly and is difficult to maintain because of its complexity.

 In this database, it is difficult to provide a uniform view to users since it is spread across
different physical locations.

Difference between Centralized database and Distributed database:

 Basis of Centralized
S.NO. Comparison database Distributed database

It is a database that
consists of multiple
It is a database that is
databases which are
stored, located as
1. Definition connected with each other
well as maintained at
and are spread across
a single location only.
different physical
locations.

The data access time

The data access time in the
in the case of
case of multiple users is
2. Access time multiple users is
less in a distributed
more in a centralized
database.
database.

The management,
The management,
modification, and
modification, and backup
backup of this
Management of this database are very
3. database are easier as
of data difficult as it is spread
the entire data is
across different physical
present at the same
locations.
location.
 Basis of Centralized
S.NO. Comparison database Distributed database

This database Since it is spread across

provides a uniform different locations thus it is
4. View
and complete view to difficult to provide a
the user. uniform view to the user.

This database has

more data This database may have
Data
5. consistency in some data replications thus
Consistency
comparison to data consistency is less.
distributed database.

The users cannot In a distributed database, if

access the database in one database fails users
6. Failure
case of database have access to other
failure occurs. databases.

A centralized
This database is very
7. Cost database is less
expensive.
costly.

8. Maintenance Ease of maintenance It is difficult to maintain

because the whole of because of the distribution
the data and of data and information at
information is varied places. So, there is a
available at a single need to check for data
 Basis of Centralized
S.NO. Comparison database Distributed database

location and thus, redundancy issues and how

easy to reach and to maintain data
access. consistency.

A centralized
A distributed database is
database is less
more efficient than a
efficient as data
centralized database
finding becomes
because of the splitting up
9. Efficient quite complex
of data at several places
because of the storing
which makes data finding
of data and
simple and less time-
information at a
consuming.
particular place.

The response speed is

The response speed is less
Response more in comparison
10. in comparison to a
Speed to a distributed
centralized database.
database.

11. Advantages  Integrity of data  High performance

because of the division
 Security
of workload.
 Easy access to all
 High availability
information
because of the
 Data is easily readiness of available
portable
 Basis of Centralized
S.NO. Comparison database Distributed database

nodes to do work.

 Independent nodes and

better control over
resources

 Data searching  It is quite large and

takes time complex so difficult to

 In case of failure use and maintain.

of a centralized  Difficult to provide

server, the whole security
database will be
12. Disadvantages  Issue of data integrity
lost.
 Increase in storage and
 If multiple users
infrastructure
try to access the
requirements
data at the same
time then it may  Handling failures is a
create issues. quite difficult task

13. Examples  A desktop or  Apache Ignite

server CPU
 Apache Cassandra
 A mainframe
 Apache HBase
computer.
 Amazon SimpleDB

 Clusterpoint
 Basis of Centralized
S.NO. Comparison database Distributed database

 FoundationDB.

Or

Reference Architecture for Distributed Databases