---
title: "Autonomous vs distributed system"
subject: "Distributed System"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/distributed_system:autonomous-vs-distributed"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/distributed_system/autonomous-vs-distributed
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Autonomous vs distributed system

Distributed System · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: Model question
- Video: [What is a Distributed System? Definition, Examples, Benefits, and Challenges of Distributed Systems](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKsySmuM81o) — Dr Nitin Naik - Aston University, UK
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/distributed_system/autonomous-vs-distributed
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/distributed_system/chapter-1

## Question

Define distributed system. Differentiate between an autonomous system and a distributed system with examples.

## Short answer

A distributed system is a collection of independent computers connected by a network, appearing as one coherent system and communicating by message passing. An autonomous system is a single computer with its own OS and control that does not cooperate with others; a laptop is autonomous, while the web and cloud storage are distributed systems with resource sharing, partial failures, and scalability by adding nodes.

## Answer

#### Definition
A **distributed system** is a collection of independent computers, connected by a network and running distribution middleware, that appears to its users as a single coherent system. Its components communicate and coordinate their actions only by passing messages (Tanenbaum; Coulouris).

An **autonomous (stand-alone) system** is a single computer, or a group of computers each working independently, that has its own OS, memory, clock and control and does not co-operate with others in running applications.

#### Difference
| Point | Autonomous system | Distributed system |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | One computer, self-contained | Many computers joined by a network |
| Co-operation | None; independent work | Components co-operate to do a common task |
| Control | Local OS controls all resources | Control is shared and spread over nodes |
| Resource sharing | Only local resources | Remote resources are shared |
| System view | Single machine | Appears as one system (transparency) |
| Communication | Not needed (or by files) | Message passing between nodes |
| Failure | Whole machine stops | Partial failures, others continue |
| Scalability | Limited by hardware | Add nodes to grow |
| Complexity | Low | High (synchronisation, consistency) |
| Example | A personal laptop running a word processor | Web, cloud storage, bank network |

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is an autonomous system?
   A. A computer (or group working independently) with its own OS, memory, clock and control that does not co-operate with others
   B. A network of co-operating nodes under shared control
   C. A system with a global clock
   D. A cloud service
   Answer: A. Autonomous systems work on their own. (Key point: Autonomous definition)

2. How does co-operation differ between the two?
   A. Autonomous systems co-operate; distributed do not
   B. Distributed components co-operate on a common task; autonomous ones do not
   C. Neither co-operates
   D. Both share one memory
   Answer: B. Co-operation via message passing defines distributed systems. (Key point: Co-operation)

3. What happens on failure in each type?
   A. Autonomous continues; distributed stops entirely
   B. Both continue unaffected
   C. Autonomous: whole machine stops; distributed: partial failure while others continue
   D. Both always stop together
   Answer: C. Distributed systems have partial failures. (Key point: Failure)

## Related in Distributed System

- [Centralized vs distributed; design issues](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fdistributed_system%3Acentralized-vs-distributed) — Distributed System, chapter 1
- [Network OS vs distributed OS](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fdistributed_system%3Anos-vs-dos-diff) — Distributed System, chapter 3
- [Models of distributed system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fdistributed_system%3Amodels-of-ds) — Distributed System, chapter 1
- [True distributed system; middleware organisation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fdistributed_system%3Atrue-ds-middleware) — Distributed System, chapter 3
- [Nested vs distributed transaction; 2PC](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fdistributed_system%3Anested-vs-distributed-2pc) — Distributed System, chapter 8, asked 2×
- [Distributed object, IDL; RPC vs RMI](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fdistributed_system%3Aobject-idl-rpc-rmi) — Distributed System, chapter 2

## Related in other subjects

- [Lumped vs distributed analysis, applications, protocols](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Frf_and_microwave_engineering%3Alumped-distributed-protocols) — RF and Microwave Engineering, chapter 1
- [Distributed system in big data example](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fbig_data_technologies%3Adistributed-system-example) — Big Data Technologies, chapter 1
- [Short note: Distributed system implementation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fobject_oriented_analysis_and_design%3Ashort-note-distributed-implementation-issues) — Object Oriented Analysis and Design, chapter 4
- [Distributed system and Hadoop](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Adistributed-system-hadoop-voluminous-data) — Information System, chapter 8