Scribd
Upload
109 views3 pages

Distributed Operating Systems

Distributed Operating Systems (DOS) manage multiple independent computers to present a unified system, addressing issues like transparency, fault tolerance, scalability, resource management, and security. Communication is crucial, utilizing methods such as message passing and remote procedure calls, while Lamport's logical clocks help order events without a global clock. Deadlock handling and distributed file systems are also key components, with strategies for prevention, detection, and recovery, as well as design considerations for efficient file access across machines.

Uploaded by

nargeesharfudeen08
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
109 views3 pages

Distributed Operating Systems

Distributed Operating Systems (DOS) manage multiple independent computers to present a unified system, addressing issues like transparency, fault tolerance, scalability, resource management, and security. Communication is crucial, utilizing methods such as message passing and remote procedure calls, while Lamport's logical clocks help order events without a global clock. Deadlock handling and distributed file systems are also key components, with strategies for prevention, detection, and recovery, as well as design considerations for efficient file access across machines.

Uploaded by

nargeesharfudeen08
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Distributed Operating Systems

1. Issues in Distributed Operating Systems

Distributed Operating Systems (DOS) manage a group of independent computers and make them appear to

the users as a single coherent system. Key issues include:

- Transparency: Hiding the complexity of the distributed system from users.

* Access Transparency: Users access resources uniformly.

* Location Transparency: Users don't need to know where a resource is located.

* Replication and Concurrency Transparency: Consistent behavior with multiple users.

- Fault Tolerance: The system should recover gracefully from partial failures.

- Scalability: The system must maintain performance as it grows.

- Resource Management: Optimal use of CPU, memory, and storage.

- Security: Secure communication, authentication, and data protection.

2. Communication Primitives

Communication in DOS is vital since the system components are geographically separated.

- Message Passing: Processes communicate by sending and receiving messages.

- Synchronous Communication: Sender waits until the receiver gets the message.

- Asynchronous Communication: Sender continues without waiting.

- Remote Procedure Call (RPC): Simulates function calls across machines.

- Remote Method Invocation (RMI): Java-based equivalent of RPC.

3. Lamport's Logical Clocks

In distributed systems, no global clock exists. Lamport introduced a logical clock mechanism to order events.

- Logical clocks assign a numerical timestamp to events.

- If event A happens before event B, then LC(A) < LC(B).

- Helps to determine the causal relationship between events.

- Implements the 'happened-before' relation.


Distributed Operating Systems

4. Deadlock Handling Strategies

Deadlock in distributed systems is more complex due to the lack of centralized control.

- Prevention: Avoid at least one of the four Coffman conditions.

- Avoidance: Use algorithms (e.g., Banker's) to check for safe states.

- Detection and Recovery: Allow deadlock to occur and then detect it using global wait-for graphs or

probe-based algorithms.

- Recovery involves terminating or rolling back processes.

5. Issues in Deadlock Detection and Resolution

- No centralized control makes deadlock detection complex.

- Communication delays can result in false detection (phantom deadlocks).

- Distributed snapshots are needed for consistent deadlock detection.

- Choosing a process to terminate should consider resource usage and execution time.

6. Distributed File Systems (DFS) and Design Issues

DFS allows files to be stored and accessed across multiple machines transparently.

- Design Issues:

* Transparency (location, access, replication).

* Fault Tolerance: Ensures data recovery and service continuation.

* Concurrency: Maintains consistency during concurrent accesses.

* Security: Protects against unauthorized access and corruption.

- Uses client-server architecture and may use caching for efficiency.

7. Case Studies

a. Sun Network File System (NFS):

- Developed by Sun Microsystems.

- Uses RPC and stateless servers.


Distributed Operating Systems

- Supports client-side caching and file sharing.

b. Coda File System:

- Emphasizes high availability and disconnected operation.

- Uses versioning and client-side caching.

- Designed for mobile computing and fault tolerance.

You might also like