Centralized v. Distributed Computing

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Centralized v. Distributed Computing

• MIS 171 Web Technologies and Innovation
• Paul F. Clay, Ph.D.

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Decentralized Computing
Agenda

• Definitions
• Discussion of centralized v. decentralized
  computing
• Infrastructure
• Opportunities for innovation

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Definitions Types of Computing

• Centralized Computing local terminals provide
  user access to software, data, and computing
  resources that are served by one or more servers
• Decentralized Computing software, data and
  computing that occurs at the users terminal
• Hybrid Computing any combination of centralized
  and decentralized computing

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Centralized Computing

• Mainframes and dumb terminals

• At Mainframe
• Software
• Data storage
• Computing

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Decentralized Computing
Decentralized Computing

• Smart terminals

• At Hub, Router or
• Switch
• Connectivity to Network

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Decentralized Computing
Decentralized Computing (Cont.)

• All net-enabled terminals are connected via wired
  or wireless connections

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Decentralized Computing
Hybrid Computing

• Common Applications across all terminals
• Limited applications only on smart terminals

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Decentralized Computing
Timeline

• Mainframe era (late 1940s ? 1980)
• Mainframe and dumb terminals
• HR, AIS, Inventory
• PC era (early 1980s ? 2000)
• Emergence of decentralized computing relying upon
  computing power in the hands of desktop workers
• MS Office, work systems
• Post-PC era (2000 ? present)
• Utilization of hybrid computing, some centralized
  and some decentralized. Emergence of thin
  clients.
• Centralized databases that drive ERPs, web
  service work systems
• Some decentralized work systems

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Decentralized Computing
Internet Backbone

• Servers/Web Servers
• Connect users to the network

• Major Switch
• Facilitate flow within the network

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Decentralized Computing
Internet Backbone

• Examples
• Internet2 consortium of universities
• Verizon corporate network

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Decentralized Computing
Opportunities

• Organizations have a choice between methods of
  computing
• Sufficient bandwidth for rich simultaneous
  communication
• New technologies that utilize these opportunities

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Decentralized Computing
Collaborative Technologies

• Decentralized Technologies
• Groove
• Centralized Technologies
• Google Docs/Spreadsheets
• Zoho tools

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Decentralized Computing

• Questions?