Introduction:

        A distributed operating system is a type of operating system that manages a group of independent computers and makes them appear as a single system. In a distributed operating system, the individual computers communicate and coordinate their activities through a network.

In this blog, we will discuss distributed operating systems in detail, including their history, design, and uses.

History of Distributed Operating Systems:

        The concept of distributed computing dates back to the 1960s, with the development of time-sharing systems. However, it was not until the 1980s that distributed operating systems became more widely used, with the introduction of Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs). In the 1990s, distributed operating systems became more common in enterprise applications, such as banking and finance, as well as in scientific research.

Design of Distributed Operating Systems:

        Distributed operating systems are designed to manage a group of independent computers and make them appear as a single system. They use different techniques to manage system resources, such as CPU time, memory, and input/output (I/O) devices, among multiple computers. Some of the common techniques used in distributed operating systems include:
  • Resource sharing: Distributed operating systems allow different computers to share resources, such as files, printers, and storage devices, among each other.
  • Communication: Distributed operating systems use communication protocols to allow different computers to communicate with each other, such as Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and Message Passing Interface (MPI).
  • Synchronization: Distributed operating systems use synchronization techniques to coordinate the activities of different computers, such as locks and semaphores.

Uses of Distributed Operating Systems:

        Distributed operating systems are used in a wide range of applications, from enterprise applications to scientific research. Some of the common uses of distributed operating systems include:
  • Enterprise applications: Distributed operating systems are commonly used in enterprise applications, such as banking and finance, where multiple computers need to share data and resources.
  • Cloud computing: Distributed operating systems are also used in cloud computing, where multiple computers work together to provide a single service, such as web hosting or data storage.
  • Scientific research: Distributed operating systems are commonly used in scientific research, where multiple computers are used to process large amounts of data simultaneously.

Conclusion:

        Distributed operating systems have come a long way since the concept of distributed computing was first developed in the 1960s. Today, they are used in a wide range of applications, from enterprise applications to scientific research. They use different techniques to manage system resources among multiple computers, such as resource sharing, communication, and synchronization. They are known for their ability to provide scalability, fault tolerance, and high availability. Distributed operating systems are an essential component of modern computing and are likely to remain so for many years to come.