
Computing
Explore The Wacky World Of Distributed Computing
By TechDogs Editorial Team

Overview
The best part is that Distributed Computing operates just like a supercomputer but at a fraction of the cost. Sounds too good to be true? Read this article to understand what Distributed Computing is, how it works, its history and the importance to understand how this incredible tech makes supercomputing super-practical!
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What in the world is Distributed Computing? No, it's not the precursor to Skynet, so breathe easy - no robotic dystopia yet.
It may sound a little sci-fi and a little wacky but Distributed Computing is a method of interconnecting computers so they can work as one entity. Distributed Computing creates a network of computers linked together to complete computational tasks. Think of it as our hero, Captain Planet! All those kids were mighty on their own but they created something lot more powerful when they combined their forces.
These systems started back in the days of ARPANET (one of the earliest networks) and are evolving even today - no, not into The Matrix, praise Keanu for that. With quantum computing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning advancing every day, it won't be long before Alexa and Siri can debate each other over the best sandwich shop in North Texas. (We feel it's Great American Hero in Dallas for sure!)
What Is Distributed Computing Anyway?
Distributed Computing is just a method of using a bunch of different computers together to enhance their computing power. This can include software and hardware but the basic idea is that the computers are working towards a common goal. Components of each machine in the distributed system work together to become a single system - but it's more than that. These systems are more efficient than a single, massive computer.
A single computer might have to devote all its processing power to a task while other computers are sitting around idle. Think back to your college group project and you'll probably remember a few 'team-members' dawdling around while the rest worked hard. Naturally, the project would have been completed earlier had everyone contributed. Similarly, by distributing the task to all the computers and using their processing power, the entire system is able to complete the task quicker, while having resources to simultaneously complete other tasks. The goal of Distributed Computing is to quickly share resources by connecting computers together.
An example of a Distributed Computing used for hardware systems is distributed rendering - one frame of an image is rendered across a network of several computers, all combining their graphics processors. To mention a specific example, the game of World of Warcraft, where everyone's games work together to create a whole world *whispers* of Warcraft....
Fun Facts About The History Of Distributed Computing
Distributed Computing has been around for five decades. Yes, really! Computer scientists and researchers had developed powerful supercomputers by the late 1960s. However, they realized that distributing computationally extensive tasks amongst various smaller processors that worked as one entity made more sense. Such a system would not have a single point of failure (even if one processor fails, it won't affect the entire system) and would be easier to expand in the future. This concept birthed a new method of computing - Distributed Computing.
By the 1980s, personal computers were starting to become commonplace. Their operating system allowed for more than one function to be run at once. Hence, in 1988, the first Internet-based Distributed Computing project was initiated by the DEC System Research Center. They sent tasks to volunteers through email, who would run these programs on their personal computers and send the results to DEC. As a result, DEC had more processing power than just the computers at their facility.
Later, in 1997, a project called distributed.net. took it up a notch. They asked volunteers to download and install a program that would allow researchers to use their computer's processing power during idle time. The volunteers won't even have to run the tasks. Pretty cool, right?
Since then, there have been more advancements in the world of Distributed Computing. Today, games like World of Warcraft or other online multiplayer games, use Distributed Computing to render the super-realistic in-game environment. Almost all Virtual Reality-based games do the same as they need to generate game scenes practically instantaneously. Similarly, most time-dependent scientific computation requires Distributed Computing to make calculations much quicker.
Now, let's move to the types of Distributed Computing systems in real-time!
Types of Devices That Exist Within Distributed Computing Systems—With Their Powers Combined, They Are Captain Computing!

There are many devices that can exist within a Distributed Computing system. Whether we are talking workstations, personal computers or mainframes, all of these devices can combine their powers together to create a blue-skinned superhero!
Let's take a look at an example of where many computers are working together within a Distributed Computing system. P2P (peer-to-peer) computer networks (which you might be familiar with from the infamous Napster) are a great example of how Distributed Computing works. These systems use the resources of thousands and thousands of computers to transfer large files to each other piece by piece. You know, just like those human-sized kids somehow formed this colossal Captain Planet dude.
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Client-server, which allows a computer system to ask a server for data. It is essentially a request-response service provided over the Internet.
- N-tier or multi-tier architecture is used to forward requests from a server or application to more services through a network. "N" refers to the number of tiers or layers being used - 2-tier, 3-tier, etc.
With that done, let’s take a look at why we really need Distributed Computing today.
Why Do We Need Distributed Computing Systems?
Modern industrial systems and processes produce such vast amounts of data that advances in processors will never be able to keep up. If you're thinking, "What about a supercomputer? That's undoubtedly going to have the processing power to drive our massive technological undertakings." Well, sadly, not everyone can afford a super-expensive supercomputer. However, most of us can afford a Distributed Computing system - a handful of interconnected computers that combine the computing power of multiple processors - just like Captain Planet has the combined power of the forces of nature!
For example, advances in the manufacturing industry, such as Smart Industry 4.0, require incredibly complex information-processing systems to analyze the data generated every second. Distributed Computing will enable this data to be interpreted in real-time thanks to its incredible information processing prowess.
We will see a similar change at the consumer level. Distributed Computing will become critical for complex systems such as smart homes, that require a massive amount of computing power for day-to-day operations - something a single computer won't be able to provide on its own.
The Future Of Distributed Systems
We're finally getting into pre-Terminator territory here folks. Processors will never reach the point where a single processor can handle the massive data processing needs of Machine Learning and AI (Artificial Intelligence). You just need a ton of machines working together to handle such massive requirements. Distributed Computing is the only way to fly.
These systems will become exponentially more powerful as quantum computing comes into its own. With these new types of computers, the speed of computing will be so fast that previously impossible tasks will now become possible. This is because quantum computers are able to process possibilities in an instant. Current computers have to process each possibility one by one and no matter how fast they are, they’ll always lag behind instantaneously.
No matter what the evil machines might do in the year 3020, today they're only here to make our lives better. In the meantime, be nice to your smart toasters - they just might become your machine overlords in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Distributed Computing and how does it work?
Distributed Computing is a method of interconnecting computers to work as one entity. Essentially, it creates a network of computers linked together to complete computational tasks. Each computer in the network contributes its processing power towards a common goal, enhancing the overall computing power of the system. This collaborative approach allows tasks to be completed more efficiently and quickly than a single, massive computer could achieve alone. Distributed Computing systems distribute tasks among multiple computers, ensuring that resources are utilized effectively and enabling simultaneous processing of multiple tasks.
What are some examples of Distributed Computing applications?
Distributed Computing has been used in various applications across different industries. One common example is distributed rendering, where multiple computers combine their graphics processing power to render complex images or animations. Online multiplayer games like World of Warcraft also utilize Distributed Computing to create immersive gaming environments by distributing computational tasks across multiple players' computers. Additionally, peer-to-peer (P2P) computer networks, client-server architectures, and multi-tier architectures are examples of Distributed Computing systems used for file sharing, data retrieval, and application processing, respectively.
Why is Distributed Computing important in today's technological landscape?
In today's rapidly advancing technological landscape, Distributed Computing plays a crucial role in handling vast amounts of data and processing requirements. Traditional supercomputers have limitations in scalability and affordability, making Distributed Computing a more feasible solution for complex computing tasks. Industries such as manufacturing, with the advent of Smart Industry 4.0, rely on Distributed Computing to analyze real-time data generated by industrial processes. Similarly, at the consumer level, Distributed Computing is essential for powering complex systems like smart homes, which require significant computing power for day-to-day operations. As technology continues to evolve, Distributed Computing will become increasingly vital for addressing the growing demands of data processing, particularly in fields like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
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