In what scenarios are distributed systems preferable?

Distributed systems are preferable in scenarios where scalability, fault tolerance, and data sharing across different geographical locations are required.

Distributed systems are a collection of independent computers that appear to the users as a single coherent system. They are designed to run on multiple machines while appearing as one to the end user. This design is particularly beneficial in scenarios where scalability is a key requirement. As the system grows, additional machines can be added to the network to increase capacity. This allows for a more cost-effective and flexible approach to managing growth, as compared to scaling up a single, centralised system which may involve significant hardware upgrades and downtime.

Fault tolerance is another important advantage of distributed systems. In a centralised system, if the main server fails, the entire system goes down. However, in a distributed system, the failure of a single machine does not cause the entire system to fail. The system can continue to operate, albeit at a reduced capacity, until the failed machine is repaired or replaced. This makes distributed systems preferable in scenarios where high availability and reliability are critical, such as in banking, healthcare, and e-commerce applications.

Distributed systems are also preferable when data needs to be shared across different geographical locations. In a globalised world, businesses often have offices in multiple countries and need to share data and resources across these locations. A distributed system allows for data to be stored and accessed locally, reducing latency and improving performance. This is particularly beneficial for multinational corporations and organisations that operate in different time zones and locations.

In addition, distributed systems can also provide better security. As data is distributed across multiple machines, it is harder for malicious actors to gain access to the entire system. Each machine in the network can be secured independently, adding an extra layer of protection. This makes distributed systems preferable in scenarios where data security is a high priority, such as in government, defence, and financial services.

In conclusion, distributed systems are preferable in scenarios where scalability, fault tolerance, data sharing across different geographical locations, and security are key requirements.