Centralized computing

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
See also: Centralisation

Centralized computing is computing done at a central location, using

text terminals or thin clients
, for example.

It offers greater

log in again, and all of their files will still be accessible. Depending on the system, they may even be able to resume their session
from the point they were at before, as if nothing had happened.

This type of arrangement does have some disadvantages. The central computer performs the computing functions and controls the remote terminals. This type of system relies totally on the central computer. Should the central computer crash, the entire system will "go down" (i.e. will be unavailable).

Another disadvantage is that central computing relies heavily on the quality of administration and resources provided to its users. Should the central computer be inadequately supported by any means (e.g. size of home directories, problems regarding administration), then your usage will suffer greatly. The reverse situation, however, (i.e., a system supported better than your needs) is one of the key advantages to centralized computing.

History

The very first computers did not have separate terminals as such; their primitive input/output devices were built in. However, soon it was found to be extremely useful for multiple people to be able to use a computer at the same time, for reasons of cost – early computers were very expensive, both to produce and maintain, and occupied large amounts of floor space. The idea of centralized computing was born. Early

cathode ray tube displays (as found in 20th century televisions and computers). The text terminal model dominated computing from the 1960s, until the rise to dominance of home computers and personal computers
in the 1980s.

Contemporary status

As of 2007, centralized computing is now coming back into fashion – to a certain extent. Cloud computing has had an important role in the return of centralized computing.

AJAX and rich clients
.

In addition,

protocols such as web services
protocols.

Diskless node model

Some organizations use a diskless node model partway between centralized computing and conventional desktop computing, in which some applications (such as web browsers) are run locally, while other applications (such as critical business systems) are run on the terminal server. One way to implement this is simply by running remote desktop software on a standard desktop computer.

Hosted computing model

A relatively new method of centralized computing, hosted computing, solves many of the problems associated with traditional distributed computing systems. By centralizing processing and storage on powerful server hardware located in a data center, rather than in a local office, it relieves organizations of the many responsibilities in owning and maintaining an information technology system. These services are typically delivered on a subscription basis by an application service provider (ASP).[2]

See also

References

  1. ISSN 1944-2866
    .
  2. ^ Core Desktop Solutions, Inc. – Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 5 September 2007.
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