Distributed operating system is a special operating system, which is essentially a multi-machine operating system, and is the development and extension of the traditional stand-alone operating system. It divides a computer system into multiple independent computing units (or also called nodes), and these nodes are deployed on each computer, and then connected by the network, and maintain a continuous communication state. In a distributed operating system, each node can independently perform local computing tasks like a stand-alone operating system, or can be combined with each other to perform larger-scale computing tasks in a distributed and coordinated parallel manner. Thus providing users with stronger computing power, higher scalability and redundant fault tolerance.
This article will take the LAXCUS distributed operating system as an example to discuss the concept, characteristics and why we need it.
1. The concept of distributed operating system
A distributed operating system divides a computer system into multiple independent computing units (or also called nodes), and these nodes are deployed on each computer, connected by a network, and maintain a continuous communication state. In a distributed operating system, each node can independently perform local computing tasks like a stand-alone operating system, or can be combined with each other to perform larger-scale computing tasks in a distributed and coordinated parallel manner. Thus providing users with stronger computing power, higher scalability and redundant fault tolerance. The distributed operating system should also ensure the flexibility, availability, manageability and elastic scalability of the system distribution
Second, the characteristics of distributed operating system
A general-purpose distributed operating system should have the following basic features:
Modularity: The distributed operating system adopts a modular design idea, which divides the system into multiple functional modules, and each module is responsible for completing a specific task. This design makes the system easier to maintain and upgrade.
Parallel processing: Distributed operating systems support multiple parallel processing models, such as shared memory model, message passing model, and client/server model. These models can take full advantage of the performance of multi-core processors and improve the processing capacity of the system. If the client/server is further extended and combined, a new type of client/cluster model is derived. This is the fundamental reason why distributed operating systems can provide powerful computing capabilities.
Fault tolerance: The distributed operating system has strong fault tolerance and can automatically recover when a node fails. This mainly depends on the redundant design and fault detection and diagnosis mechanism in the distributed system.
Data consistency: Distributed operating systems need to ensure data consistency between nodes. This is usually achieved by using techniques such as transactions, locks, and coordinators.
Resource management: Distributed operating systems need to effectively manage hardware resources in the system, including memory, disk space, and CPU time. This is usually achieved by using techniques such as resource scheduling algorithms and priority scheduling policies.
Let's take the LAXCUS distributed operating system as an example to briefly explain this.
Referring to the figure above, in the LAXCUS distributed operating system, the system is divided into three dimensions: the core layer, the business layer, and the calling layer. The core layer consists of a local core and a distributed framework. The local core includes a local kernel and a local Shell. Its design idea is similar to Unix/Linux. The difference lies in the distributed framework, which is an important technology of the LAXCUS distributed operating system. Innovation, because of its existence, LAXCUS can be called a "distributed operating system", including a multi-mode communication network, loosely coupled architecture, and distributed Shell. Among them, the distributed shell accepts the user's distributed instructions (user instructions and system scheduling instructions), and parses these distributed instructions. The loosely coupled architecture of LAXCUS is an important technological innovation. It has been introduced in previous articles, such as parallel processing capabilities, fault-tolerant processing capabilities, data consistency, resource management capabilities, and scheduling capabilities. The combination of these technologies can make multiple Machine distributed collaborative operation becomes possible. For a more detailed introduction to the loosely coupled architecture of the LAXCUS distributed operating system, please refer to related articles, which will not be repeated here. A multi-mode communication network is a combination of various network communication technologies, the most important of which is a MASSIVE MIMO technology similar to 5G networks. Due to its existence, large-scale communication and ultra-large-scale communication based on physical networks can be realized. Realization is also one of the core basic functions of the LAXCUS distributed operating system.
Let's simulate the running process of the LAXCUS distributed operating system.
In the distributed operating system of LAXCUS, the client computer is a graphical desktop on which various application software are running. These application software exist in the form of a graphical interface or a character field. Unlike the application software of the stand-alone operating system, which only runs locally, the distributed application software of LAXCUS is not only compatible with local operation, but more importantly runs in parallel on multiple computers in the computer cluster in a distributed manner, ensuring powerful processing capabilities.
A distributed instruction is sent from the LAXCUS distributed application software. It is passed to the core layer through the calling layer and the business layer. Decoupling, divided into multiple parallel computer instructions, and handed over to the multi-mode communication network for processing. The multi-mode communication network transmits each parallel instruction to the corresponding computer node, and the local Shell on the node analyzes it and hands it to the system kernel for processing. After the processing is completed, it aggregates and returns according to the original path, thus completing a distributed computer work.
3. Why do we need a distributed operating system?
Simply put: Times have changed.
If we look back at history, we can see that everything in the world is a process from simplicity to complexity. Operating systems also follow this rule, such as the early IBM 0S360 system, and later UNIX, DOS, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, IOS, and Android. Except for a small part of these operating systems, which are server systems, most of them are personal systems, but they are all stand-alone operating systems in essence. Thirty years ago, our requirements for computers were WORD, EXCEL, PPT, music, and video, which can be completed by ordinary personal computers and mobile phones. Thirty years later, our requirements for computers are big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, large-scale chatGPT, hypersonic air flow, and nuclear fusion simulation. These tasks require massive computing resources, and personal computers are no longer competent. The bottom layer begins to provide huge basic computing for application services, which is the fundamental reason for the emergence of distributed operating systems. If you refer to Bell's Law: "A new type of operating system will appear in the world about every 10 years or so" inference. Now with the development of the times and changes in business requirements, the emergence of a new type of operating system has become inevitable: the era of distributed operating systems.
At present, we need a distributed operating system mainly for the following reasons:
Improving performance: a distributed operating system can distribute computing tasks to multiple nodes for execution, thereby improving the processing capacity of the system. Especially in the fields of large-scale data processing and high-performance computing, the advantages of distributed operating systems are more obvious.
Improve scalability: The distributed operating system can dynamically increase or decrease nodes according to demand to meet the expansion requirements of the system. This makes the system more flexible and able to adapt to changing workloads.
Improve fault tolerance: The distributed operating system has strong fault tolerance and can automatically recover when a node fails. This is very important for business-critical systems and can ensure the stable operation of the system.
Improve resource utilization: Distributed operating systems can effectively utilize hardware resources in the system through resource scheduling and management technologies to avoid waste of resources. This helps reduce system costs and increase return on investment.
Promoting technological innovation: The development of distributed operating systems has promoted technological innovation in the field of computer science. Many new technologies and methods, such as cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence, are developed on the basis of distributed operating systems.
To sum up, the distributed operating system is a computer technology with broad application prospects. With the development of the Internet, Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence and other fields, the demand for high-performance, high-availability and scalable computing systems is becoming more and more urgent, and distributed operating systems will become an important part of future computer systems.