Disadvantages of Distributed DBMS


Distributed DBMS

A distributed database is the distribution of data to get stored at different computers or sites that are interlinked to each other by a network. It can also be defined as a database that collects data over separate databases with self−reliant computers that are connected over data communication links. Distributed databases can provide more availability and reliability than a centralized database system. It is because even if some site fails, the system can the working without them. Distributed database systems can give better execution by appropriating the information and handling load across numerous sites.

Disadvantages Of Distributed DBMS

  • Complex nature

    The nature of distributed databases is much more complex as compared to centralized databases. This seeks the requirement of complex software that can handle the distributed database. Due to the absence of data replication, the complexity increases. Many computers which are present at different locations are connected via a network resulting in providing high−accuracy performance, availability, and reliability.

  • Overall cost

    Due to their complex nature, distributed DBMS take high maintenance which makes them costlier. It is more costly than normal dbms because of various other things like procurement costs, hardware costs, network/communication costs, labor costs, etc.

  • Security issues

    The security of data in the database is a major task. Distributed databases maintain no data redundancy and the security of data and network. Providing security is difficult because the data is stored in multiple databases with different locations, so security is maintained at every location along with the connecting networks. This task is shared along several sites with different people.

  • Integrity control

    Distributed databases consist of different sites, so it is important to provide data consistency. To ensure the integrity of data, distributed databases will cost higher, as the communication and processing cost is much high. The changes done in the single server must occur at other servers to maintain the integrity.

  • Lacking standards

    There is a lack of standard protocols in the database which results in decreasing the potential of distributed databases. The protocol is present at the network connection level, but not at the application level. Data sharing and communication are done effectively, but to convert centralized dbms into distributed DBMS, there is no such standard protocol.

  • Lack of professional support

    It is difficult to provide resources to every user. Due to a lack of communication support, The resources produced by different vendors are not linked to the network, as a result, many beneficial resources are not available to the users of different locations.

  • Data design complex:

    The design of a distributed database is more complex to make than a centralized database.

  • The performance gets reduced as the data is accessed from a remote system. This also makes an increase in network traffic.

  • Distributed databases cannot use static SQL.

  • During the recovery of a failed system, the recovered system must be consistent with another system.

Conclusion

This article consists of the disadvantages of distributed dbms. Distributed dbms store the data at different sites which are connected via a network. Several disadvantages of distributed dbms are: complex nature which refers to the complexity of the database, cost refers to the high maintenance cost security refers to the security provided at different sites, integrity control refers to providing data consistency at every site, lack of standard and professional support refers to protocol issues and resource unavailability, data design complex shows the complex structure of the distributed database. Other disadvantages are performance reduction due to remote access, traffic increase, unable to use static SQL and recovery of system failure conditions.

Updated on: 14-Jul-2023

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