Distributed computing is a computing concept that, in its most general sense, refers to multiple computer systems working on a single problem. In distributed computing, a single problem is divided into many parts and each part is given to different computers to solve. As long as the computers are networked, they can communicate with each other to solve the problem. If done properly, the computers perform as if they were a single entity. The idea of distributing resources within the computer network is not new. This first started with the use of data entry terminals on mainframe computers, then moving on with minicomputers, and finally with personal computers and client-server architecture with more tiers.
Distributed computing architecture consists of a number of client machines with very lightweight software agents installed along with one or more dedicated distributed computing management servers. The agents running on the client machines usually detect when the machine is idle and sends a notification to the management server that the machine is not in use and is available for a processing job. It then requests an application package. The client machine then receives this application package from the management server to process, runs the application software when it has free CPU cycles, and sends back the result to the management server. When the user is back and wants the resources again, the management server gives back the resources that it had been using to perform different tasks in the absence. The management server is so intelligent that, alternatively, it may send the application package to several different idle machines at once, presuming that results from one or more idle machines will be sent back quickly. Additionally, the management server manages the security and other key roles. These roles may include error handling and policy management, which is used to define the administrator rights as to which user should be given access to which machine, under what circumstances. The ultimate goal of distributed computing is to maximize performance; to connect the users and the IT resources in a cost effective, transparent and reliable way. And also to ensure fault tolerance; and to have availability in case of failure of some component.
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