These clients are supported by specialized servers which provide database services, printing and fax services, file storage, and communications front ends, gateways and bridges. File servers and database servers make it easier to provide universal access to info by authorized users and to maintain consistency and security of files and data. 3. very flexible. Horizontal distribution - one application is replicated on several machines, or various different applications are distributed on several machines. Peer relationship, not master-slave.
Computers operate autonomously.
Distributed Data Database - structured collection of data stored for use in one or more application. Distributed database - portions of the data are dispersed among a number of computer systems. Centralized - housed in a central computer facility. Desirable when security and integrity of data are paramount. Distributed data across multiple autonomous sites confines effects of a computer breakdown to it point of occurrence.