On Synchronous and Asynchronous Interaction in Distributed Systems

Rob van Glabbeek, Ursula Goltz, Jens-Wolfhard Schicke

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

When considering distributed systems, it is a central issue how to deal with interactions between components. In this paper, we investigate the paradigms of synchronous and asynchronous interaction in the context of distributed systems. We investigate to what extent or under which conditions synchronous interaction is a valid concept for specification and implementation of such systems. We choose Petri nets as our system model and consider different notions of distribution by associating locations to elements of nets. First, we investigate the concept of simultaneity which is inherent in the semantics of Petri nets when transitions have multiple input places. We assume that tokens may only be taken instantaneously by transitions on the same location. We exhibit a hierarchy of `asynchronous' Petri net classes by different assumptions on possible distributions. Alternatively, we assume that the synchronisations specified in a Petri net are crucial system properties. Hence transitions and their preplaces may no longer placed on separate locations. We then answer the question which systems may be implemented in a distributed way without restricting concurrency, assuming that locations are inherently sequential. It turns out that in both settings we find semi-structural properties of Petri nets describing exactly the problematic situations for interactions in distributed systems.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMathematical Foundations of Computer Science 2008: 33rd International Symposium, MFCS 2008, Torun, Poland, August 25-29, 2008, Proceedings
EditorsEdward Ochmański, Jerzy Tyszkiewicz
Place of PublicationBerlin, Heidelberg
PublisherSpringer
Pages16-35
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-540-85238-4
ISBN (Print)978-3-540-85237-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Aug 2008
EventThe 33rd International Symposium on Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science, 2008 - Torun, Poland
Duration: 25 Aug 200829 Aug 2008
Conference number: 33

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science
PublisherSpringer Berlin, Heidelberg
Volume5162
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

ConferenceThe 33rd International Symposium on Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science, 2008
Abbreviated titleMFCS 2008
Country/TerritoryPoland
CityTorun
Period25/08/0829/08/08

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