This report will discuss problems and solutions to transaction processing (TP) systems.
A brief introduction to the issue by defining and describing a transaction and a TP system is to give here before beginning with the core discussion.
A transaction in general implants changes made in the real world in a physical database [1]. There-fore business transactions are multiple basic operations involving exchanges (cash, credit, informa-tion) that have financial implications, such as customer placing an order or someone paying parking tickets and they establish a connection between an organization and its database [3]. A TP system is a form of data base management system that processes business transactions [1]. Usually there exit several different systems in one organization. Examples of TP applications are payroll, inventory, order processing, reservations, account processing in banks, and stock trading [3]. Considering the highly increased volume of transactions processed by organizations due to the credit card revolution and the Internet and their need to process the transactions in a timely fashion there arise several problems and performance constraints to the transaction processing and its systems, which need to be addressed. To identify a certain performance of a TP system the Input/Output (I/O) of a system is a adequate measure.
In the following it will be assumed that the organizations already provide of Transaction Processing Facilities (TPF), that Main Memory Database Systems (MMDS) are not practical, that most TP sys-tems are already distributed [i.e. that the organization have implemented a Distributed Database Management System (DDMS)] and finally that the organizations have the fastest available comput-ers & networks already installed.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Problems to Transaction Processing Systems
- III. Solutions to Transaction Processing Systems
Objectives and Key Themes
This report aims to identify and propose solutions for performance constraints in transaction processing (TP) systems, particularly focusing on the challenges presented by high transaction volumes in modern organizations. The report assumes the existence of Transaction Processing Facilities (TPF) and Distributed Database Management Systems (DDMS), and focuses on improving performance within these existing infrastructures.
- Performance constraints in Transaction Processing Systems
- Problems related to Transaction Processing Facilities (TPF)
- Challenges posed by Distributed Database Management Systems (DDMS)
- Solutions for enhancing TPF performance
- The Tandem approach to high-volume transaction processing
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter defines key concepts: a transaction as a change implemented in a database reflecting real-world changes, and a TP system as a database management system processing business transactions. It highlights the increasing transaction volume due to credit cards and the internet, leading to performance bottlenecks. The chapter sets the stage by outlining the report's focus on solving these performance issues within existing organizational infrastructure, assuming the availability of TPF and DDMS and the use of the fastest available computer and network resources.
II. Problems to Transaction Processing Systems: This chapter details the performance issues related to TPF and DDMS. The TPF, responsible for terminal and disk management, lacks robust transaction processing capabilities, leaving application programmers to handle file and resource management, creating a bottleneck. The DDMS, while seemingly a solution, introduces challenges of size, communication overhead, reliability, and scalability. Managing a large number of terminals and disks is costly and complex, impacting system availability. Inefficient message communication, especially in wide area networks, further reduces performance. Maintaining high reliability in a DDMS is crucial but difficult, and expansion requires significant investment in hardware, software, and infrastructure. The central problem, therefore, is I/O constraints related to both TPF and DDMS.
III. Solutions to Transaction Processing Systems: This chapter explores solutions to the previously identified problems. It outlines desired system characteristics, including manageability, high availability, centralized/distributed capability, granularity, scalability, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness. Improving the TPF involves enhancing its capabilities by integrating data management, network management, and transaction management systems, potentially using IMS as a back-end. A message-based architecture can facilitate distribution. The Tandem approach, with its message-based interface, modularity, and high availability, is presented as another strong solution. Key features include automatic transaction logging, requestor-server architecture allowing for modular growth, and data replication for fault tolerance and disaster recovery. Techniques such as converting random I/O to sequential I/O are highlighted to improve performance. Finally, the chapter suggests addressing DDMS performance issues using extended memory as a non-volatile memory extension, inspired by mainframe architectures.
Keywords
Transaction Processing Systems, Transaction Processing Facilities (TPF), Distributed Database Management Systems (DDMS), I/O constraints, High-volume transaction processing, Tandem architecture, Fault tolerance, Data replication, Message-based architecture, System scalability, System availability, Performance optimization.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Transaction Processing Systems
What is the main topic of this report?
This report focuses on identifying and proposing solutions for performance constraints in transaction processing (TP) systems, especially those dealing with high transaction volumes in modern organizations. It examines the challenges within existing Transaction Processing Facilities (TPF) and Distributed Database Management Systems (DDMS) infrastructures.
What are the key objectives of this report?
The report aims to analyze performance bottlenecks in TP systems, explore problems related to TPF and DDMS, and suggest solutions for enhancing the performance of these systems, particularly focusing on high-volume transaction processing scenarios. The Tandem approach is also presented as a potential solution.
What are the key challenges discussed concerning Transaction Processing Facilities (TPF)?
The report highlights that TPFs often lack robust transaction processing capabilities, forcing application programmers to handle file and resource management, leading to bottlenecks. Managing a large number of terminals and disks is also a major challenge impacting system availability.
What are the main problems identified with Distributed Database Management Systems (DDMS)?
DDMS, while seemingly offering a solution, introduces challenges related to size, communication overhead (especially in wide area networks), reliability, and scalability. Maintaining reliability and expanding a DDMS requires significant investment.
What are the proposed solutions for improving Transaction Processing System performance?
Solutions discussed include enhancing TPF capabilities by integrating data management, network management, and transaction management systems (potentially using IMS as a backend), adopting a message-based architecture for distribution, and utilizing the Tandem approach with its message-based interface, modularity, and high availability features. Improving I/O efficiency through techniques like converting random I/O to sequential I/O is also suggested. For DDMS, using extended memory as non-volatile memory extension is proposed.
What are the key characteristics of a well-performing transaction processing system according to this report?
The report outlines desired system characteristics such as manageability, high availability, centralized/distributed capability, granularity, scalability, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness.
What is the significance of the Tandem approach in this context?
The Tandem approach is presented as a strong solution due to its message-based interface, modularity, high availability, automatic transaction logging, requestor-server architecture (allowing modular growth), and data replication for fault tolerance and disaster recovery.
What are the main I/O-related issues impacting TP system performance?
The central problem identified is I/O constraints related to both TPF and DDMS. Inefficient message communication, particularly in wide area networks, further contributes to performance degradation.
What are the key terms and concepts used throughout the report?
Key terms include Transaction Processing Systems, Transaction Processing Facilities (TPF), Distributed Database Management Systems (DDMS), I/O constraints, High-volume transaction processing, Tandem architecture, Fault tolerance, Data replication, Message-based architecture, System scalability, and System availability.
What is the overall structure of the report?
The report is structured into three main chapters: an introduction defining key concepts and setting the stage, a chapter detailing the problems associated with TPF and DDMS, and a final chapter exploring potential solutions to these problems.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Christian Rodiek (Autor:in), 2006, Problems and Solutions to Transaction Processing Systems, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/68140
