By the end of this chapter, you will be able to: - correctly select and create distributed architectures for different distributed systems, - accurately apply architectural styles when designing distributed systems, - appropriately use classifications of distributed system architectures in your projects, - thoroughly analyze the architecture requirements of a simulated site for distributed systems.
Mastering these skills will help you build reliable and efficient distributed systems that meet real-world business needs.
Distributed architecture is the structural design that enables multiple independent computers to communicate and coordinate their actions by passing messages. This architecture supports system scalability, fault tolerance, and resource sharing, which are critical in Kenyan enterprises such as national banks, universities, and healthcare management systems.
Distributed architecture refers to a computing environment where system components located on networked computers communicate and coordinate their actions to achieve a common objective. Unlike centralized systems, distributed architectures decentralize processing, storage, and control across multiple nodes, improving performance and resilience.
In Kenya, distributed architecture underpins services such as mobile money platforms where transactions are processed concurrently across different servers, ensuring availability and speed.
Distributed architectures are applied in various domains, especially where reliability, scalability, and resource sharing are essential. Kenyan organizations leverage this architecture to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
These applications demonstrate how distributed architectures meet Kenya’s demand for scalable, reliable, and accessible computing services.
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Create a free accountThis chapter introduced the concept of distributed architecture, explaining its definition and practical applications in various computing environments. It examined different architecture styles, including layered, object-based, and data-centred architectures, each offering unique approaches to organizing distributed systems. The discussion then moved to types of distributed system architectures, highlighting centralized, decentralized, and hybrid models that determine how system components interact and share resources. Furthermore, the chapter addressed the process of specifying requirements for a distributed system architecture in a simulated site, emphasizing the importance of selecting an appropriate architecture style and system type. Overall, the chapter provided a comprehensive overview of how distributed systems are structured and tailored to meet specific operational needs.
Type: Pairs
| Tools & Equipment | Materials |
|---|---|
| RJ45 crimping tool | Cat6 Ethernet cable |
| Cable tester | RJ45 connectors |
| Masking tape / Labels | Working computers with Windows 10 OS |
| Plain papers |
| S/N | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cat6 Ethernet cable | 2 x 2 meters per Candidate Pair |
| 2 | RJ45 connectors | 4 Pcs per Candidate Pair |
| 3 | RJ45 crimping tool | 1 Pc per 2 Candidates |
| 4 | Cable tester | 1 Pc per 2 Candidates |
| 5 | Working computers with Windows 10 OS | 2 per Candidate Pair |
| 6 | Masking tape / Labels | 5 Pcs per Candidate Pair |
| 7 | Plain papers | 5 sheets per Candidate |
| Items to be Evaluated | Marks Available | Marks Obtained | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| TASK 1: Cable Preparation and Testing | |||
| Observed computer laboratory rules and safety procedures (Award 2 marks or 0) | 2 | ||
| Prepared Cat6 Ethernet cable by unsheathing and cutting to 2 meters (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Terminated both ends of the cable with RJ45 connectors using T568B wiring standard (Award 3 marks for each correctly terminated end or 0) | 6 | ||
| Tested the cable using a cable tester and confirmed continuity (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Sub-Total | 14 | ||
| TASK 2: Network Configuration and Setup | |||
| Set computer names to DISTSYS1 and DISTSYS2 respectively (Award 2 marks for both computers correctly named or 0) | 2 | ||
| Configured IPv4 address and subnet mask on DISTSYS1 as 192.168.10.10 / 255.255.255.0 (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Configured IPv4 address and subnet mask on DISTSYS2 as 192.168.10.20 / 255.255.255.0 (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Verified network connectivity between DISTSYS1 and DISTSYS2 using the PING utility (Award 4 marks or 0) | 4 | ||
| Sub-Total | 12 | ||
| TASK 3: Shared Folder Setup and File Operations | |||
| Shared the 'DistributedDocs' folder on DISTSYS1 with read/write permissions (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Shared the 'DistributedDocs' folder on DISTSYS2 with read/write permissions (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Created a text file named 'Test1.txt' inside the shared folder on DISTSYS1 (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Accessed and modified 'Test1.txt' from DISTSYS2 (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Verified ability to create, modify, and delete files within the shared folders from both computers (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Sub-Total | 15 | ||
| TASK 4: Password Security and Network Traffic Capture | |||
| Created strong passwords for user accounts on DISTSYS1 (includes uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols) (Award 4 marks or 0) | 4 | ||
| Created strong passwords for user accounts on DISTSYS2 (includes uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols) (Award 4 marks or 0) | 4 | ||
| Verified password strength compliance on both computers (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Launched Wireshark software on DISTSYS1 and selected the correct active network interface (Award 2 marks for launch and 2 marks for correct interface) | 4 | ||
| Captured network traffic for approximately one minute and saved a screenshot on the desktop (Award 4 marks for capture and 2 marks for screenshot) | 6 | ||
| Sub-Total | 21 | ||
| PRODUCT CHECKLIST | |||
| Verified IP addresses and subnet masks configured as specified (192.168.10.10/255.255.255.0 and 192.168.10.20/255.255.255.0) (Award 4 marks or 0) | 4 | ||
| Confirmed cable length is 2000 mm ± 10 mm with proper RJ45 termination (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Checked shared folders have correct permissions and are accessible from both computers (Award 4 marks or 0) | 4 | ||
| Validated strong password criteria compliance (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols) on both user accounts (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Verified network traffic capture file is saved and screenshot is clear on DISTSYS1 desktop (Award 4 marks or 0) | 4 | ||
| Sub-Total | 18 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | 80 | ||
Type: Individual
| Tools & Equipment | Materials |
|---|---|
| Pencil | Plain A4 papers |
| Ruler | |
| Colored pens |
| S/N | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plain A4 papers | 5 Pcs per Candidate |
| 2 | Pencils and Erasers | 1 set per Candidate |
| 3 | Rulers 30cm | 1 Pc per Candidate |
| 4 | Colored pens (Blue, Red, Black) | 3 Pcs per Candidate |
| Items to be Evaluated | Marks Available | Marks Obtained | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| TASK 1: Preparation and Sketching | |||
| Observed laboratory rules including use of PPE and clean workspace (Award 2 marks or 0) | 2 | ||
| Prepared drawing area on A4 paper correctly with margins (Award 2 marks or 0) | 2 | ||
| Sketched four distinct layers labeled correctly (Presentation, Application, Middleware, Data) (Award 1.5 marks per correct layer, else 0) | 6 | ||
| Used appropriate symbols or boxes to represent components within each layer (Award 4 marks or 0) | 4 | ||
| Drew arrows indicating data flow and interaction between layers (Award 4 marks or 0) | 4 | ||
| Used colored pens effectively to distinguish layers and connections (Award 2 marks or 0) | 2 | ||
| Sub-Total | 20 | ||
| TASK 2: Explanation and Justification | |||
| Explained the function of each layer clearly (Award 4 marks or 0) | 4 | ||
| Justified choice of layered architecture style for the distributed system (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Described interactions and data flow between layers (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Sub-Total | 10 | ||
| PRODUCT CHECKLIST | |||
| Layered architecture model drawn on A4 paper sized 297mm (height) x 210mm (width) (Award 4 marks or 0) | 4 | ||
| All four layers clearly labeled and correctly positioned (Award 4 marks or 0) | 4 | ||
| Correct representation of inter-layer communication with arrows (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Use of colors to improve clarity and distinction between layers (Award 3 marks or 0) | 3 | ||
| Sub-Total | 14 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | 44 | ||
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