Question 1: Illustrate the main reasons for and potential merits of distributed databases?
Question 2: Illustrate the main software modules of a DDBMS? Describe the main functions of each of these modules in the context of client-server architecture.
Question 3: What do you mean by the term fragment of a relation? Illustrate the main types of fragments? Why is fragmentation a helpful concept in distributed database design?
Question 4: Why is data replication helpful in the DDBMSs? Illustrate the typical units of data which are replicated?
Question 5: What do you mean by data allocation in distributed database design? Illustrate the typical units of data which are distributed over sites?
Question 6: How is horizontal partitioning of a relation specified? How can a relation be put back together from a complete horizontal partitioning?
Question 7: How is vertical partitioning of a relation specified? How can a relation be put back together from the complete vertical partitioning?
Question 8: Describe what is meant by the given terms:
a) Degree of homogeneity of a DDBMS
b) Degree of local autonomy of a DDBMS
c) Federated DBMS
d) Distribution transparency
e) Fragmentation transparency
f) Replication Transparency,
Question 9: Describe the naming problem in the distributed databases.
Question 10: Describe the various methods for executing an equijoin of two files positioned at various sites. What main factors influence the cost of data transfer?