Large-Scale Distributed Systems

Definition ∞ Large-scale distributed systems are computer networks composed of numerous independent nodes that work together to achieve a common goal. These systems operate across multiple machines, often geographically dispersed, communicating to coordinate their actions. They are designed for high availability, fault tolerance, and scalability, handling vast amounts of data and user requests. Blockchain networks are a prominent example of such systems.
Context ∞ The operation and optimization of large-scale distributed systems are fundamental to the infrastructure of modern digital assets and decentralized applications. News frequently covers advancements in consensus protocols and network architectures that seek to enhance their performance and security. Current efforts focus on addressing challenges related to data consistency, latency, and resource utilization to support global, high-throughput blockchain operations.