BIG DATA ONE SHOT UNIT-3
Q1. Explain the core concepts of HDFS, including NameNode, DataNode,and the file system namespace ?
HDFS (Hadoop Distributed File System) is like a giant storage system that splits big files into smaller pieces
and spreads them across many computers. Here’s how it works in simple terms:
1. File System Namespace (The Big Index)
Think of it like a table of contents for all your files.
It keeps track of:
File & folder names
Who can access them
Where each piece (block) of the file is stored
2. NameNode (The Boss)
The main manager that knows everything about the files.
Stores only the metadata (file names, permissions, block locations).
Does NOT store actual data—just the info about where it is.
If the NameNode crashes, the whole system stops (so it’s very important!).
3. DataNode (The Workers)
These are the actual storage machines that hold the file pieces (blocks).
They constantly report back to the NameNode saying, "I’m alive and here’s what I have!"
If a DataNode fails, HDFS makes copies (replicas) of the data on other machines.
Key Features
Big Files Only – Best for large files (like TBs of data), not small ones.
Fault-Tolerant – If one machine dies, your data is safe because of copies.
Fast Batch Processing – Good for analytics (like reading huge files at once), not for quick edits.
Q2 Write the benefits and challenges of HDFS.?
Benefits of HDFS
1. Handles Massive Data (Scalability)
Stores petabytes (PBs) of data across thousands of machines.
Easily scales by adding more DataNodes (storage servers).
2. Fault-Tolerant (No Data Loss)
Automatically creates multiple copies (replicas) of each data block (default = 3 copies).
If one DataNode fails, data is still available from other nodes.
3. Cost-Effective Storage
Runs on cheap commodity hardware (regular servers, no need for expensive systems).
4. Optimized for Big Data Processing
Designed for batch processing (reading/writing large files sequentially).
Works great with MapReduce, Spark, and other big data tools.
5. Data Locality (Faster Processing)
Moves computation to where data is stored instead of moving data to computation.
Reduces network traffic and speeds up analytics.
❌ Challenges of HDFS
1. Not Good for Small Files
Designed for large files (GBs/TBs).
Storing too many small files overloads the NameNode (since it keeps metadata in memory).
2 High Latency (Not Real-Time)
2. High Latency (Not Real-Time)
Built for batch processing, not fast queries.
Not suitable for real-time analytics (like databases).
3. Single Point of Failure (NameNode Risk)
If the NameNode crashes, the whole system becomes unavailable.
Solutions like HDFS High Availability (HA) help, but add complexity.
4. Limited Write Flexibility
Follows "Write Once, Read Many" (WORM) model.
Files cannot be modified after writing (only appended or rewritten).
5. High Storage Overhead (Due to Replication)
Default 3x replication means storing 3 copies of everything.
Increases storage costs but ensures fault tolerance.
Q3. Explain how HDFS stores, reads, and writes files. Describe the sequence of operations involved
in storing a file in HDFS, retrieving data from HDFS, and writing data to HDFS. ?
HDFS follows a structured approach for storing, reading, and writing files across a distributed cluster. Below
is a step-by-step breakdown of each process.
1. Storing a File in HDFS (Write Operation)
Step-by-Step Process:
1. Client Initiates Write Request
The client (user or application) requests to write a file to HDFS.
The file is split into fixed-size blocks (default: 128MB or 256MB).
2. NameNode Assigns DataNodes
The client contacts the NameNode, which checks permissions and file existence.
The NameNode selects 3 DataNodes (default replication factor) for each block and returns their
addresses.
3. Pipeline Creation & Data Transfer
The client writes the first block to the first DataNode.
The first DataNode forwards the block to the second DataNode, which forwards it to the third
DataNode (forming a pipeline).
E hD N d h bl k d d k l d (ACK) b k
Each DataNode stores the block and sends an acknowledgment (ACK) back.
4. Repeat for All Blocks
The process repeats for all blocks of the file.
5. NameNode Updates Metadata
Once all blocks are stored, the NameNode updates the metadata (file name, block locations,
permissions).
2. Reading a File from HDFS (Read Operation)
Step-by-Step Process:
1. Client Requests Read
The client asks the NameNode for the file’s block locations.
2. NameNode Returns Block Metadata
The NameNode checks permissions and returns:
List of blocks making up the file.
Locations (DataNodes) of each block (sorted by network proximity).
3. Client Reads Directly from DataNodes
The client reads blocks in parallel from the closest DataNodes.
If a DataNode fails, the client automatically switches to a replica.
4. Blocks Reassembled into Original File
The client combines the blocks in order to reconstruct the file.
3. Writing Data to an Existing File (Append Operation)
HDFS primarily follows a "Write Once, Read Many" (WORM) model, but limited appends are possible.
Step-by-Step Process:
1. Client Requests Append
The client asks the NameNode to append data to an existing file.
2. NameNode Checks Conditions
Ensures the file exists and supports appends.
Locates the last block of the file (if incomplete, it is filled first).
3. New Data is Written
The client writes new data to the last block (if space remains).
If the block is full, a new block is allocated and replicated.
4. Metadata Updated
The NameNode updates the file’s metadata to reflect changes
The NameNode updates the file s metadata to reflect changes.
Q4 Describe the considerations for deploying Hadoop in a cloud environment. What are the
advantages and challenges of running Hadoop clusters on cloud platforms like Amazon Web
Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).?
Deploying Hadoop in a cloud environment like AWS, Azure, or GCP offers flexibility and scalability—
but also comes with important considerations. Below is a breakdown of key factors, along with
advantages and challenges of running Hadoop in the cloud.
✅ Advantages
1. Elastic & Scalable – Auto-scaling clusters, pay-as-you-go pricing.
2. Lower Maintenance – Managed services (AWS EMR, Azure HDInsight, GCP Dataproc).
3. Cost-Efficient – Spot/preemptible instances for batch jobs.
4. Durable Storage – Cloud-native storage (S3, GCS) > HDFS.
5. Built-in HA/DR – Multi-region replication.
❌ Challenges
1. Network Latency – Slow reads if compute/storage are separated.
2. Security Risks – Shared responsibility model (user manages Hadoop security).
3. Variable Performance – Noisy neighbors, network bottlenecks.
4. Hidden Costs – Egress fees, idle clusters, over-provisioning.
5. Vendor Lock-in – Hard to migrate from cloud-native services.
Q5. Discuss in brief about the cluster specification. Describe how to setting up a Hadoop Cluster?
A Hadoop cluster is a group of computers (nodes) working together to store and process huge amounts of
data. It has:
1 Master Node (Manager): Controls everything (NameNode + ResourceManager).
Many Worker Nodes (Workers): Store data and do computations (DataNodes).
How to Set Up a Hadoop Cluster?
Step 1: Get the Machines Ready
Master Node: Needs good CPU & RAM (e.g., 8 cores, 32GB RAM).
Worker Nodes: Need lots of storage (e.g., 16 cores, 64GB RAM, 10TB HDD each).
All Nodes: Install Java (JDK 8/11) and SSH (for remote access).
Step 2: Install & Configure Hadoop
1. Download Hadoop and extract it on all machines.
2. Edit Config Files (tell Hadoop how to work):
core-site.xml → Set master’s address.
hdfs-site.xml → Set data copy count (default = 3).
yarn-site.xml → Configure processing (YARN).
Step 3: Start the Cluster
1. Format the Master (like formatting a hard drive):
bash
hdfs namenode -format
2. Start Hadoop Services:
bash
start-dfs.sh # Starts storage (HDFS)
start-yarn.sh # Starts processing (YARN)
Step 4: Check if It Works
View Live Nodes:
bash
hdfs dfsadmin -report
Web Dashboard: Open browser and go to:
http://<master-ip>:9870 (HDFS status).
http://<master-ip>:8088 (YARN jobs).
Q. Demonstrate the design of HDFS and concept in detail. ?
Q. Examine how a client read and write data in HDFS. ?
