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

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

Answer: (D)

In a distributed architecture, processing is spread across multiple interconnected locations rather than being centralized in one place. This setup means workloads can run on different servers or data centers, close to where data is generated or where users are, and they all coordinate to present a unified system. This arrangement boosts resilience and availability because a single node or site failing won’t bring down the entire system, and it allows scaling by adding more nodes as demand grows. It also helps reduce latency by placing compute closer to users or data sources.

Service-oriented architecture focuses on designing software as reusable services and can be implemented in distributed ways, but the emphasis is on service boundaries rather than the geographic distribution of processing. Shadow IT refers to technology used without formal authorization and isn’t about how processing is distributed. So the term that best describes a model where processing can be done at many connected locations is distributed architecture.