What are the two schemes of distributed system?

1. Client-Server Scheme

In this scheme, the system is divided into clients and servers. Clients request services or resources, and servers provide these services.

• Features: Centralized control, easier management, and clear separation of roles.
• Examples: Web applications, database servers.
• Advantages: Simplifies resource management and provides structured communication.
• Disadvantages: Can become a bottleneck if the server is overloaded or fails.

2. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Scheme

In this scheme, all nodes (peers) are equal and share resources without a centralized server. Each node acts as both a client and a server.

• Features: Decentralization, dynamic scalability, and resource sharing.
• Examples: File-sharing networks (e.g., BitTorrent), blockchain systems.
• Advantages: Fault-tolerant, scalable, and removes dependency on a central server.
• Disadvantages: Difficult to manage, and performance depends on the cooperation of peers.

Both schemes are widely used in distributed systems depending on the application’s needs, offering trade-offs in terms of scalability, fault tolerance, and complexity.