Distributed Environment [Dido Solutions, Inc Wiki]

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====== Distributed Environment ======

[[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:start|Go to Terms and Definitions]]

===== Discussion =====

A Distributed Environment is an [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:i:infrastructure_environment|Infrastructure Environment]] whose components, resources, services, or operational functions span multiple networked [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:f:financial_node|Nodes]] or locations.

The distribution can involve:

  * Compute resources
  * Storage resources
  * Network resources
  * Software components
  * Services
  * Data
  * Processing
  * Management functions
  * Operational responsibilities

The participating Nodes or locations cooperate to provide the behavior of the environment.

A Distributed Environment can span multiple:

  * Geographic locations
  * Data centers
  * Cloud regions
  * Edge locations
  * Network zones
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:deployment_target|Deployment Targets]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:security_domain|Security Domains]]
  * Connected, disconnected, or intermittently connected network segments

A Distributed Environment differs from a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:distributed_system|Distributed System]]:

  * A Distributed Environment describes the infrastructure, resources, services, and operational context distributed across Nodes or locations
  * A Distributed System describes coordinated system behavior allocated across multiple networked Nodes

A Distributed Environment can host one or more Centralized Systems, Distributed Systems, or combinations of both.

A Distributed Environment also differs from a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:distributed_network_topology|Distributed Network Topology]]:

  * A Distributed Environment describes the complete operational environment
  * A Distributed Network Topology describes the arrangement and interconnection of its network Nodes

A Distributed Environment can operate under [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:c:centralized_management|Centralized Management]] even though its resources and functions remain distributed.

===== Definition =====

//[[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:i:infrastructure_environment|infrastructure environment]] whose components, resources, services, or operational functions span multiple networked [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:f:financial_node|Nodes]] or locations//

===== Source =====

  * DIDO Reference Architecture, Network Topology Taxonomy
  * Dido Solutions, Inc. and Jackrabbit Consulting, Inc.

===== Note =====

A Distributed Environment does not require:

  * Every Node to perform the same function
  * Every Node to hold the same data
  * Direct communication between every pair of Nodes
  * Equal authority among Nodes
  * One specific network topology
  * One specific management model

The governing architecture determines:

  * Node roles
  * Resource allocation
  * Service placement
  * Data placement
  * Communication paths
  * Management authority
  * Security boundaries
  * Failure-handling behavior
  * Connectivity requirements

Physical separation alone does not establish a Distributed Environment. The separated components, resources, services, or operational functions form one environment through defined relationships and coordinated operation.

The term does not prescribe cloud computing, peer-to-peer communication, consensus algorithms, distributed ledgers, containers, virtual machines, or a particular network protocol.

===== Example =====

An Infrastructure Environment contains compute resources in two data centers, storage resources in a cloud region, and validation services at an edge location.

The resources and services cooperate as one managed environment. [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:c:crucible|Crucible]] performs Centralized Management of the Distributed Environment while its infrastructure remains distributed across the participating locations.

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