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Internet usage has evolved from a predominately client/server-based Web server interaction to additionally involving the use of more decentralized applications – through which users contribute more equally in the role of the application as a whole - and still further to distributed communities based around the Web. This broad-ranging new edition of a classic textbook/reference provides a comprehensive overview of emerging distributed-systems technologies and has been significantly enhanced and extended to cover the many new, state-of-the-art infrastructures and technologies that have since appeared. The focus is also broadened, retaining the technical aspects, but additionally including useful historical contexts for each of the technologies. Features: • Fills in the gaps and includes an additional 8 chapters on highly popular developments, including BitTorrent, Web Services specifications and Web 2.0, as well as the underlying technologies used by these • Includes helpful learning tools to aid the reader’s understanding, such as a thorough foundational introduction, end-of-chapter conclusions, and pointers to online information for further reading, etc. • Offers a more applied approach, with a comprehensive representation of the distributed systems field • Describes various possible communication methods from history and the basic connectivity • Presents a unique combination of P2P, Web services and grid technologies discussion that is both in-depth and accessible • Provides additional helpful info at www.p2pgridbook.com This easy-to-follow textbook/reference retains the detailed aspects of the successful first edition and is now substantially expanded, providing the reader with a comprehensive context in which to consider the most advanced and broad-ranging distributed systems available today. It is an essential reference text for designing new distributed systems, offering invaluable insight to both students and researchers. Ian J. Taylor is a senior lecturer in the School of Computer Science at Cardiff University, teaching two Distributed Systems courses. He holds an adjunct assistant professorship at Louisiana State University and consults independently with the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C. Andrew Harrison is a research fellow/associate, also in the School of Computer Science at Cardiff University.