Key Characteristics of Distributed Systems

= a set of loosely-coupled components that can be deployed and scaled independently called services.

• Stability or Serviceability or Manageability = simplicity and speed with which a system can be repaired or maintained.

• Reliability = probability a system will fail in a given period. A distributed system is considered reliable if it keeps delivering its services even when one or several of its software or hardware components fail.

• Scalability = capability of a system, process, or a network to grow and manage increased demand.

• Efficiency/Performance = response time (or latency = delay to obtain the first item) + throughput (or bandwidth = the number of items delivered in a given time unit)

• Availability = simple measure of the percentage of time that a system, service, or a machine remains operational under normal conditions.

• Fault tolerance and Catastrophe-preparedness