Database II

Distributed Databases

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Muhammad Asghar Khan
 Centralized Databases

 Centralized database is a system with a single logical

database located at one site under the control of single
DBMS

 It is perceived that in next decade most organizations

will be move towards distributed database systems

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 Distributed Databases (1/4)

 A logically interrelated collection of shared data (and

a description of this data), physically distributed over
a computer network.

 Distributed DBMS is software system that permits the

management of the distributed database and makes
the distribution transparent to users.

 DDBMS consists of a single database that is split into

a number of fragments, each of which is stored on one
or more computers under the control of separate
DBMS; computers are connected by a communication
network
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 Distributed Databases (2/4)

 Each site is capable of independently processing user

requests that require access to local data, and also
capable of processing data stored on other computers
in the network

 User access distributed databases via two different

applications:
• Local Applications (Those that require data from local site)
• Global Applications (Those that require data from other
sites, A DDBS must have at least one Global Application)

 Note, it is not necessary for every site to have its own

local database
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 Distributed Databases (3/4)

 A DDBMS has the following characteristics:

• Collection of logically-related shared data.

• Data split into fragments.
• Fragments may be replicated.
• Fragments/replicas allocated to sites.
• Sites linked by a communications network.
• Data at each site is under control of a DBMS.
• DBMSs handle local applications autonomously.
• Each DBMS participates in at least one global application.

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Distributed Databases (4/4)

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 Advantages of DDBMS

 Reflects organizational structure

 Improved shareability and local autonomy
 Improved availability
 Improved reliability
 Improved performance
 Economics
 Modular growth

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 Disadvantages of DDBMS

 Complexity
 Cost
 Security
 Integrity control more difficult
 Lack of standards
 Lack of experience
 Database design more complex

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 Types of DDBMS (1/2)
 Homogeneous DDBMS
• All sites use same DBMS product.
• Much easier to design and manage.
• Approach provides incremental growth and allows increased
performance.

 Heterogeneous DDBMS
• Sites may run different DBMS products, with possibly different
underlying data models.
• Occurs when sites have implemented their own databases and
integration is considered later.
• Translations required to allow for:
• Different hardware.
• Different DBMS products.
• Different hardware and different DBMS products.
• Typical solution is to use gateways.
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 Types of DDBMS (2/2)

 Multidatabase System (MDBS)

• DDBMS in which each site maintains complete autonomy.
• DBMS that resides transparently on top of existing
database and file systems and presents a single database to
its users.
• Allows users to access and share data without requiring
physical database integration.
• Unfederated MDBS (where there are no local users) and
federated MDBS.

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 Reference Architecture for DDBMS (1/2)

 Due to diversity, no accepted architecture equivalent

to ANSI/SPARC 3-level architecture.

 A reference architecture consists of:

• Set of global external schemas.
• Global conceptual schema (GCS).
• Fragmentation schema and allocation schema.
• Set of schemas for each local DBMS conforming to 3-level
ANSI/SPARC.

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Reference Architecture for DDBMS (2/2)

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Components of a DDBMS (1/3)

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 Components of a DDBMS (2/3)

 Local DBMS Component (LDBMS)

• A standard DBMS, responsible for controlling the local
data at each site that has a database
• It has its own local data dictionary
• It is homogeneous system (i.e. the local DBMS component
is the same product)

 Data Communication Component (DC)

• Software that enables all sites to communicate with each
other
• Contains information about the sites and the links

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 Components of a DDBMS (3/3)

 Global Data Dictionary (GD)

• Holds information specific to the distributed nature of the
system
• Such as fragmentation and allocation schemes

 Distributed DBMS
• The controlling unit of the entire system
• Communication services to provide access to remote sites
• Perform distributed query processing, query optimization
and remote data access
• Concurrency control in distributed environment
• Recovery services in distributed environment
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