A distributed network is a system of interconnected computers or devices that work together to achieve a common goal. Unlike a centralized network, where one central server handles all tasks and data, a distributed network spreads out the tasks and data across multiple nodes (computers or devices). Here’s a simple explanation:
- Nodes: Each device in a distributed network is called a node. These nodes can be computers, servers, or any other devices capable of processing and transmitting data.
- Decentralization: In a distributed network, no single node is solely responsible for the entire network\’s operation. Instead, the workload and data are shared among all the nodes.
- Redundancy: Because data is distributed across many nodes, the network is more resilient to failures. If one node goes down, the others can continue to function, providing reliability and fault tolerance.
- Scalability: Distributed networks can easily scale up by adding more nodes, which increases the network’s capacity and performance.
- Examples: Common examples of distributed networks include the Internet, peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing networks, and blockchain networks.
Distributed networks are essential for applications that require high availability, fault tolerance, and the ability to handle large amounts of data or traffic.
