Computer networks and distributed systems

Computer Networks and Distributed Systems, along with Multiprocessor Systems, comprise the class of computer systems known as Multiple Instruction Multiple Data (MIMD). We distinguish Multi-processor Systems, which are not covered in this review, from the other members of MIMD, by the degree of autonomy of the computing elements and the means of communication between them. A system where the processors communicate by using shared memory or where there is a master-slave relationship among the processors is neither a network nor a Distributed System. This paper identifies, analyzes and classifies various aspects of distributed systems.