Data Architecture

22. Distributed Databases

In order to describe how distributed databases are structured, we need to understand fully how centralized databases are formed and what some of their characteristics are. In a centralized database all the components exist on a single computer or computer site. The components of this centralized site or computer consist of the data itself, the DBMS, and any other storage media necessary to provide an orderly operation. Access to the data stored in the centralized site has been provided by the use of intelligent workstations and remote access terminals that utilized directed communication links. In recent years a trend has developed that allows the data and process to be disseminated to a large geographic area and linked ...