centrally controlled system definition
a system with a dedicated computer system that is responsible for all the necessary calculations
distributed systems definition
a system with multiple computers, with each one performing part of the necessary calculations
expanding a distributed system
easy to do by just adding new traffic lights and their infrastructure, and does not affect the rest of the system
operationg of a distributed system
can operate when the central computer is not available
distribute systems and the central computer
connection is limited and only necessary for synchronization purposes
distributed system commands
does not receive or transmit mandatory real-time control commands over the communications network
distributed system pros
- resources distributed across various systems; each system self-sustained
- each system to operate on its own
- even without connection to central systems, the system would still function
- easily expandable
distributed system cons
- cost high - requires additional hardware and special software to allow it to operate independently
- backups require more bandwidth and resources at each site
- more complex
- security - difficult to secure a number of systems than a single one
what do centralized systems use?
terminals attached to a central computer
centralized systems and peripherals
can control peripherals directly (physically connected) or use terminals
centralized systems benefits
- all resources reside in a single computer system
- lower operational costs (each client needs minimal hardware)
- greater security
- less administrative overhead and backup complexity
- greater overall control
centralized systems cons
- clients need to connect to the central system to perform any actions - connection a probable point of failure
- if one computer system or connection fails it all goes down
autonomous agents
- can apply pre-programmed actions and build their own sets of actions through learning algorithms
- environment play a big role
examples of autonomous agents
- buyer agents
- user agents
- monitoring and surveillance agents
- date mining agents
properties of environment
- accesible/inaccessabile
- determinsitic/non-determinsitic
- episodic/non-episodic
- static/dynamic
-discrete/continuous
example uses of autonomous agents
- space missions
- warehouses
- cars
- video games
