1.
Introduction to Distributed Systems
A distributed system is a network of independent computers that coordinate and
communicate to appear as a single system to end users. These systems leverage resource
sharing, concurrency, and fault tolerance to improve efficiency, scalability, and reliability.
Distributed systems underpin many of today’s critical applications such as banking, logistics,
healthcare, and stock trading.
2. Key Features of Distributed Systems
Transparency: Users are unaware of the system's distributed nature.
Fault Tolerance: Failures in one component do not halt the system.
Concurrency: Many tasks can be executed simultaneously.
Scalability: New components can be added without affecting existing systems.
Resource Sharing: Hardware and software resources are shared across nodes.
Openness: Easily extendable and compatible with various hardware/software.
3. Importance of Real-Time Applications
Real-time systems require that tasks and data processing happen within strict time limits. In
critical environments, such as healthcare or financial trading, even milliseconds of delay can
lead to failure, loss, or harm. Distributed systems are ideal for real-time applications because
they support parallel computation, fast communication, and redundancy.
4. Real-Time Application Domains
4.1 Real-Time Stock Trading Systems
Overview:
Stock trading platforms like NASDAQ, NSE, and Robinhood must process millions of
transactions within milliseconds to maintain competitive advantage. Distributed systems
ensure market updates, user orders, and financial analytics run in parallel without delays.
Functionality:
Order processing and matching
Live market data streaming
Fraud detection
Risk analytics
Integration with global exchanges
Technologies Used:
Apache Kafka for event streaming
In-memory data grids like Redis
Distributed databases (e.g., Cassandra)
Low-latency messaging systems
Failover clusters for resilience
Real-Time Requirements:
Execution delay < 10 milliseconds
99.999% uptime
Data synchronization across geo-replicated servers
Communication Diagram:
Design Insight:
A globally distributed network with regional trading hubs interconnected through low-latency
fiber optics. Local servers buffer orders and mirror data to the central exchange system for
final settlement.
4.2 Online Ride-Hailing Platforms (e.g., Uber, Ola)
Overview:
Ride-hailing platforms depend heavily on real-time communication between passengers,
drivers, maps, pricing algorithms, and traffic data systems. Delays can result in poor user
experience, incorrect pricing, or missed rides.
Functionality:
Driver-passenger matching
Live vehicle tracking
Dynamic fare calculation
ETA prediction
Surge pricing management
Technologies Used:
GPS + Mobile SDKs
Kafka for streaming location updates
Redis + MongoDB for real-time data access
Google Maps or Mapbox for geospatial routing
Microservice architecture deployed on Kubernetes
Real-Time Requirements:
Latency < 300 milliseconds for driver allocation
Real-time vehicle tracking at < 1-second intervals
Design Insight:
Microservices handle various tasks such as dispatching, geolocation, trip tracking, and
billing. Each service communicates asynchronously over lightweight protocols. Redis is used
for caching hot data like driver availability.
4.3 Healthcare Monitoring Systems
Overview:
Hospitals, especially ICUs, rely on real-time patient monitoring systems. These systems
collect data such as heart rate, blood pressure, ECG, and SpO₂, and alert doctors in case of
critical values.
Functionality:
Continuous data streaming from patient wearables
Anomaly detection via AI/ML
Remote doctor consultation
Emergency alerts
Data backup for medical records
Technologies Used:
IoT devices and smart sensors
MQTT protocol for efficient data transfer
Edge computing for fast decision-making
HIPAA-compliant cloud storage
AI-based diagnostics tools (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch)
Real-Time Requirements:
Data transmission every 1–2 seconds
Alert generation < 5 seconds after abnormal reading
Design Insight:
Vital data collected at edge devices are filtered and sent to a centralized monitoring server. If
a threshold is breached, alerts are pushed to connected smartphones or dashboard systems.
Redundant network paths ensure reliability.
4.4 Smart Grid Systems
Overview:
Smart Grids intelligently distribute electricity based on demand and generation using real-
time monitoring and control. They help prevent outages, reduce peak loads, and improve
energy efficiency.
Functionality:
Demand-response management
Power outage detection
Real-time usage analytics
Dynamic load balancing
Integration with renewable energy sources
Technologies Used:
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
IoT Smart Meters
Real-time analytics via Apache Flink
Protocols: DNP3, MODBUS, IEC 61850
Edge-based decision nodes
Real-Time Requirements:
Meter updates every 15 seconds
Substation response < 1 second to failures
Design Insight:
Smart meters transmit energy consumption data to edge gateways. These forward data to a
control center where grid balancing decisions are taken. Distributed control units ensure local
action can be taken without central instruction in critical conditions.
4.5 Real-Time Video Conferencing
Overview:
Services like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet rely on distributed media servers for
live video/audio interaction. Synchronization and low-latency are essential for seamless
communication.
Functionality:
Live video/audio streaming
Screen sharing
Real-time transcription and translation
Chat and hand-raising features
Encryption and security
Technologies Used:
WebRTC for real-time P2P streaming
Media servers (e.g., Jitsi, Janus)
TURN/STUN servers for NAT traversal
Adaptive Bitrate Streaming
CDN (Content Delivery Network)
Real-Time Requirements:
Latency < 150 milliseconds for conversation
Video refresh rates 25–30 fps
Audio packet delivery every 20ms
Design Insight:
Each user connects to the nearest regional media server via WebRTC. These servers relay
streams with minimal delay to all participants. Bandwidth optimization and echo suppression
are done in real time.
5. Design Principles in Real-Time Distributed Applications
Event-Driven Architecture: For quick response to real-time stimuli
Load Balancing: Distribute incoming data evenly
Replication: Backup nodes ensure fault tolerance
Stateless Services: Increase scalability and simplify fault recovery
Data Locality: Process data close to the source for reduced latency
6. Comparative Analysis
Latency Uptime
Domain Criticality Technologies Used
(ms) Required
Stock Trading Very High < 10 Kafka, Redis, Cassandra 99.999%
Ride-Hailing High < 300 GPS, Kafka, MongoDB 99.99%
Life-
Health Monitoring <5 MQTT, Edge AI, Cloud Storage 99.999%
Critical
Smart Grid High < 1000 SCADA, IoT, Flink 99.999%
Video WebRTC, TURN/STUN,
Medium < 150 99.9%
Conferencing Media CDN
7. Common Challenges
Latency & Jitter: Network delays can cause inconsistencies.
Synchronization: Aligning clocks and data streams.
Security: Ensuring encryption, privacy, and secure authentication.
Fault Recovery: Systems must auto-recover from node crashes.
Scalability: Handling load spikes (e.g., market crashes or server rush hours).
Network Partitioning: Managing split-brain and CAP theorem trade-offs.
8. Conclusion
Real-time distributed systems are the backbone of our digital lives — from trading floors and
operating theaters to video calls and electric grids. Designing such systems requires careful
consideration of fault tolerance, real-time responsiveness, and scalability. As these systems
continue to grow in importance, mastering their design and architecture is crucial for any
computing professional.
9. References
1. Tanenbaum, A. S., & Van Steen, M. (2016). Distributed Systems: Principles and
Paradigms. Pearson.
2. Coulouris, G., Dollimore, J., Kindberg, T. (2011). Distributed Systems: Concepts and
Design. Pearson.
3. Uber Engineering Blog – https://eng.uber.com
4. IEEE Smart Grid – https://smartgrid.ieee.org
5. WebRTC Official Site – https://webrtc.org
