Distributed Database Systems:
Components and Applications
Distributed Database Systems (DDS) allow data to be stored across multiple
locations while functioning as a single logical database. This presentation explores
the key components, applications, advantages, and challenges of implementing
DDS.
Core Components of Distributed Database Systems
Replication Fragmentation
Copies of the same data stored at multiple sites Relations divided into smaller parts and stored at different sites
Concurrency Control Semantic Heterogeneity
Ensures correctness when multiple transactions execute Handling differences in meaning, formats, or units across
simultaneously databases
These four components work together to create a functional distributed database system that balances performance, availability, and data
consistency.
Replication: Storing Multiple Copies
Replication involves storing copies of the same data at two or more Disadvantages
sites. In full replication, every site contains the entire database.
Updates must be propagated to all sites
Advantages Risk of inconsistency between copies
High availability - system continues if some sites fail Overhead in concurrency control mechanisms
Faster query processing through parallelism Increased storage requirements
Reduced network traffic for read operations
Fragmentation: Dividing Data Strategically
Fragmentation divides relations into smaller parts (fragments) and stores them at different sites. All fragments must be reconstructable
(lossless).
Horizontal Fragmentation Vertical Fragmentation Hybrid Approach
Splits relations by rows (tuples) Splits relations by columns (schemas) Combines fragmentation with replication
Example: Customer data split by region Must include a primary key for Balances availability and consistency needs
reconstruction
Key advantage: No unnecessary duplication, making consistency management easier
Concurrency Control: Ensuring Transaction Correctness
Concurrency control ensures correctness when multiple transactions execute simultaneously across distributed sites.
Purpose Techniques
Prevents issues like lost updates and dirty reads Locking mechanisms
Makes concurrent transactions behave as if run sequentially Timestamp-based ordering
Maintains database consistency across sites Optimistic concurrency methods
Semantic Heterogeneity: Managing Differences
Semantic heterogeneity occurs when the same labels or data have
different meanings, formats, or units across databases in the
distributed system.
Example: Salary stored in dollars at one site but in rupees at
another site
This is a significant challenge in data integration and must be
resolved to ensure accuracy in query results and data processing.
Resolving semantic heterogeneity requires:
Data mapping and transformation rules
Standardized metadata
Conversion functions
Real-World Applications of Distributed Databases
Corporate MIS Hotel Chains Multimedia Applications
Management Information Systems Reservation systems across multiple Storing and serving large media files
spanning multiple offices and properties while maintaining a unified from optimal locations
departments view
Manufacturing Control Military Systems
Production systems spanning multiple Command and control applications
facilities requiring high reliability
Advantages of Distributed Database Systems
1 2 3
Faster Data Processing High Reliability & Availability Reduced Operating Cost
Parallel processing at multiple sites System continues functioning even if Smaller computers at each site can be
improves performance for complex some sites fail more cost-effective than a single large
queries system
4 5
Easy Expansion Better Sharing & Local Autonomy
New sites can be added without disrupting existing operations Sites can operate independently while still sharing data when
needed
Challenges of Distributed Database Systems
Management Complexity Consistency Risks
Distributed systems require sophisticated management tools and Without proper controls, the database can enter an inconsistent state
expertise to maintain properly. across different sites.
Security Concerns Standardization Needs
Data traveling across networks creates additional security Processing methods must be standardized across all sites to ensure
vulnerabilities that must be addressed. reliable operation.
Deadlock Handling
Distributed transactions can create complex deadlock situations that
are difficult to detect and resolve.
Key Takeaways: Distributed Database Systems
Components Applications
Replication, fragmentation, concurrency Widely used in corporate systems, hotel
control, and semantic heterogeneity chains, manufacturing, and other multi-
management form the foundation location operations
Challenges Benefits
Complex management, security concerns, Faster processing, high availability, reduced
and consistency maintenance costs, and easier expansion
Successful implementation requires careful planning to balance the advantages against the inherent complexity of distributed systems.
