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Distributed Computing practice questions Chapter 3 pt2

The document contains practice questions related to distributed computing, covering topics such as client-server interaction, the X Window System, virtual desktop environments, web browser architecture, and failure transparency. It discusses the distinctions between application-level and middleware-level solutions, the roles of X clients and servers, and the advantages of applications controlling display rendering. Additionally, it addresses server design choices for real-time multiplayer games and includes a multiple-choice question about web browser components.

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Yousef Fayez
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views

Distributed Computing practice questions Chapter 3 pt2

The document contains practice questions related to distributed computing, covering topics such as client-server interaction, the X Window System, virtual desktop environments, web browser architecture, and failure transparency. It discusses the distinctions between application-level and middleware-level solutions, the roles of X clients and servers, and the advantages of applications controlling display rendering. Additionally, it addresses server design choices for real-time multiplayer games and includes a multiple-choice question about web browser components.

Uploaded by

Yousef Fayez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Distributed Computing practice questions (AI generated)

Question 1

Question: In the context of client-server interaction in distributed systems, what is the primary
distinction between application-level and middleware-level solutions?

Answer: Application-level solutions focus on the specific needs and protocols of the
application itself, while middleware-level solutions provide a more general framework for
communication and interaction between clients and servers, often addressing common
concerns like data marshalling, naming, and security.

Question 2

Question: Describe the relationship between the X client and the X server in the X Window
System. How do they communicate and what are their respective roles?

Answer: In the X Window System, the application acts as an X client, sending requests to the X
server, which runs as a separate process (often on a different machine). The X server is
responsible for managing the display and handling graphical operations, while the X client
sends commands to the server to draw or modify graphical elements on the screen.

Question 3

Question: What are the potential advantages of allowing applications to have complete control
over the display in a windowing system, as seen in approaches like VNC?

Answer: Allowing applications complete control over the display can lead to greater flexibility
and potentially better performance, as applications can optimize their rendering and interaction
with the display hardware directly. This approach can be particularly beneficial for applications
with specialized graphical requirements or those that need to bypass the overhead of a
traditional windowing system.
Question 4

Question: How does the concept of a virtual desktop environment relate to the increasing
prevalence of cloud-based applications?

Answer: Virtual desktop environments provide a way to access and interact with cloud-based
applications seamlessly, as if they were running locally. This is achieved by providing a remote
desktop interface that allows users to interact with the applications running on a remote server.
This approach is becoming increasingly relevant as more applications move to the cloud,
enabling users to access their applications and data from any device with an internet
connection.

Question 5

Question: Multiple Choice Question:

Which of the following is NOT a main component of a web browser's architecture?

a) Rendering engine

b) JavaScript interpreter

c) User interface

d) Network interface

e) Virtual machine

Answer: e) Virtual machine

Question 6

Question: In the context of client-side software for distribution transparency, explain the
concept of "failure transparency" and provide an example of how it can be implemented.

Answer: Failure transparency refers to the ability of client-side software to mask server or
communication failures from the user. This can be achieved through mechanisms like retries,
where the client automatically resends a request if it doesn't receive a response within a certain
time frame, or failover, where the client switches to a different server if the primary server
becomes unavailable.
Question 7

Question: You are tasked with designing a server for a real-time multiplayer game where
responsiveness is critical. Would you choose an iterative or concurrent server design? Justify
your decision.

Answer: A concurrent server design would be more suitable for a real-time multiplayer game. In
such applications, multiple clients need to interact with the server simultaneously, and any
delay in processing a request could negatively impact the gameplay experience. A concurrent
server, with its ability to handle multiple requests concurrently using threads or processes,
would ensure that each client's actions are processed promptly, leading to a smoother and
more responsive gaming experience.

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