ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the benefits and issues associated with distributed systems. It shows an architecture that has the data distributed, although the application is still centralized on a single server. The chapter also shows an architecture in which both the data and processing are distributed. Distributing a system allows individual groups within an organization to exercise control over their own data, while still being able to access data at remote locations when necessary. When creating the conceptual distribution design, it is important to look at the distribution of the data from the viewpoint of both the data architect and the application architect. If operating a central data store architecture with high volume access requirements over the network proves not to be feasible, and the organization is not willing to invest in upgrading of the network infrastructure, it may become necessary to distribute some or all data entities.
