Distributed Software Architecture Research Assignment (Essay Sample)

Distributed Software Architecture
Student’s Name
Institution The example of a distributed software identified from the first e-activity is a client-server architecture, which establishes the base for multi-tier architecture – other options include the Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and broker architecture like CORBA (Tutorialspoint, 2016). The client-server platform functions by having a powerful central system (the server) as the main control area of the architecture. Other machines/ nodes in the system are controlled and acquire services from other nodes through the server. The server is what dictates the functionality and capabilities of other nodes in the system.
The client-server architecture cannot function as productively in a non-distributed architecture as it can in a distributed architecture. The client-server platform is designed such that everything is controlled from a central location for ease of access and management (Tutorialspoint, 2016). A non-distributed architecture does not enable this capability since it does not have support for other systems to be added and controlled from a centralized location.
From the second e-Activity, the two most beneficial characteristics of cloud computing from an organizational point of view are the capability to use applications remotely (from any location in the world) and storing data offsite or as most would put it, in the cloud. The capability of using applications in the cloud reduces expenses significantly since there is no need for extra equipment in the organization (Erl, Puttini, & Mahmood, 2013). Storing data in the cloud again reduces costs, increases security since the chances of data getting lost in the cloud are low, and it enables global access and sharing of data.
A challenge an organization could potentially face when implementing an existing in-house application or system into the cloud is cost. Uploading an entire application or system in the cloud can be expensive considering the amount of data that will be used before the system or applicat...