A distributed database can use which of the following strategies?

Solution (By Examveda Team)

A distributed database can employ various strategies to manage its data across multiple sites.

Option A: Totally centralized at one location and accessed by many sites
In this strategy, although the database is centralized at one location, it is accessed by multiple sites. This approach may involve having a central server that holds the entire database, and other sites access this central database over a network. While it simplifies data management and ensures data consistency, it can lead to network congestion and single points of failure.

Option B: Partially or totally replicated across sites
Replication involves creating and maintaining copies of data across multiple sites. In a distributed database, data can be partially or entirely replicated across sites to improve data availability, fault tolerance, and performance. Replication allows local access to data, reducing the need for network communication and enhancing responsiveness. However, it requires mechanisms to ensure data consistency among replicas.

Option C: Partitioned into segments at different sites
Partitioning, also known as sharding, involves dividing the database into segments or partitions, with each partition stored at a different site. This strategy aims to distribute data and workload evenly across sites, improving scalability and performance. By partitioning data, queries can be executed locally on the site where the relevant data resides, reducing network overhead and enhancing efficiency.

Option D: All of the above
All the mentioned strategies—centralization, replication, and partitioning—are viable approaches for managing data in a distributed database. Depending on the requirements of the application, a distributed database system may utilize one or a combination of these strategies to achieve its goals, such as improving performance, availability, and fault tolerance.

Therefore, in the context of a distributed database, the correct option is All of the above (Option D).