Which term describes a model where processing can be done at many connected locations?

• A. Centralized Architecture
• B. Shadow IT
• C. Distributed Architecture
• D. Service-oriented Architecture

Answer: (C)

A model where processing happens at many connected locations is distributed architecture. In this setup, computing tasks are carried out by multiple nodes across different machines, data centers, or edge devices that work together over a network. This is different from centralized architecture, where a single location handles most processing. While service-oriented architecture can involve distributed components, the key idea here is that the processing itself is spread across multiple locations rather than centralized in one place. The big advantages are scalability and resilience—if one node goes down, others can keep the system functioning, and workloads can be placed closer to users to reduce latency. But it also brings challenges like coordinating work across nodes, maintaining data consistency, and securing multiple communication paths. Examples include edge computing and distributed databases.