Differences Between Distributed and Parallel Systems
Differences Between Distributed and Parallel Systems
by Kiran Kumar M
Core Definitions
A single computer with multiple processors or cores. A network of distinct computers, often connected via LAN
Components are tightly coupled for efficient operation. or WAN. Systems are loosely coupled and independent.
Distributed Systems
Always use a distributed memory model. There is no direct memory
access between different computers; each has its own memory.
Communication Methods
Parallel Distributed
High-speed internal bus connects processors. Message-passing between networked computers.
Communication overhead is minimal. Network latency can impact performance significantly.
Coordination & Control
1 Parallel Systems
Typically rely on a single master clock for all processors. A
single thread often manages all tasks efficiently.
2 Distributed Systems
Employ synchronization algorithms to coordinate activities.
Require advanced mechanisms for inter-computer
coordination.
Fault Tolerance
Parallel
Limited fault tolerance; a single point of failure can affect the
entire system.
Distributed
Higher fault tolerance due to node failure handling. The system
can continue operating if individual nodes fail.
Scalability Comparison
Parallel Scalability
Limited by the maximum number of processors a single system can
support. This is known as vertical scaling.
Distributed Scalability
Highly scalable through network expansion. Achieves horizontal
scaling by adding more machines to the network.
Use Cases & Applications
Parallel Computing Distributed Computing
Edge Computing
2
Creating new distributed parallel systems.
Containerization
3
Enabling flexible deployment models.
Cloud Computing
4
Leveraging both architectures for efficiency.