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Session 4.1 - Decentralization vs Distribution

Distinguishing decentralized from distributed systems

Module 4 45 minutes

Learning Objectives

  • Distinguish decentralized from distributed systems
  • Understand the spectrum of centralization to decentralization
  • Analyze trade-offs between different organizational models
  • Evaluate when to use decentralized vs distributed approaches

Key Distinctions

Fundamental Difference

Distribution refers to physical or logical separation of components, while decentralization refers to the absence of central control or authority.

Distributed Systems
  • Components spread across multiple locations
  • May still have central coordination
  • Focus on performance and reliability
  • Examples: CDNs, cloud computing
Decentralized Systems
  • No single point of control
  • Autonomous decision-making nodes
  • Focus on autonomy and resilience
  • Examples: Bitcoin, BitTorrent

What's Next?

Next, we'll explore DAO Concepts and decentralized autonomous organizations.

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