Question

The LIBSYS system has to include support for cataloguing new documents where the system catalog may be distributed across several machines. What are likely to be the most important types of non-functional requirements associated with the cataloguing facilities?

Short answer

Key non-functional requirements: reliability, scalability, performance, security, interoperability, and usability.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Non-functional Requirements

Non-functional requirements in a distributed cataloguing system refer to those criteria that judge the performance of the system rather than specific functionalities. These requirements include aspects such as reliability, scalability, performance, security, interoperability, and usability.

Analyze Requirement - Reliability

Reliability is crucial in ensuring that the system operates continuously without failure. In the context of a distributed catalog, reliability implies that the cataloguing process should continue to function correctly even if one or more systems or networks in the distribution go down.

Analyze Requirement - Scalability

Scalability ensures the system can handle increased load. The cataloguing system should be able to accommodate more documents as the library collection grows, without a significant decrease in performance.

Analyze Requirement - Performance

Performance relates to how fast the system can catalogue new documents. It includes quick response times for cataloguing tasks, minimal latency in updating records across distributed systems, and efficient retrieval times for documents from any part of the distributed catalog.

Analyze Requirement - Security

Security ensures that unauthorized access to the catalog and its documents is prevented. This includes using authentication and data encryption to protect sensitive bibliographic and cataloguing information across the distributed network.

Analyze Requirement - Interoperability

Interoperability is about the system’s capability to work with other existing library systems. The cataloguing facilities need to integrate seamlessly with other systems that may be used within different parts of the distributed network.

Analyze Requirement - Usability

Usability refers to how easy it is for librarians and staff to use the cataloguing system. This entails intuitive interfaces and straightforward processes for entering and managing new documents across the distributed network.

Key concepts

Distributed Systems

In the context of library cataloguing, distributed systems play a pivotal role by sharing data management tasks across several machines instead of relying on a single central server. This setup allows libraries to maintain catalogs that span over various locations or branches. Each branch can handle its local data while also having access to a central database that synchronizes and updates information across all locations.
Distributed systems enhance the efficiency and speed of cataloguing processes, as tasks are split among multiple servers, reducing the load on any single machine. This architecture is beneficial for libraries with large volumes of data, ensuring that updates are reflected promptly across the entire system.
Some key aspects of distributed systems include:

• Data Redundancy: Copies of data are maintained across different machines, providing backup in case one system fails.
• Fault Tolerance: The ability of the system to continue functioning even when encountering certain failures, due to the distribution of tasks and data.
• Flexible Scalability: Ease of adding new machines to the network to accommodate growing data needs without disrupting the existing system.

Library Cataloguing

Library cataloguing is the process of systematically listing library materials such as books, multimedia, and other resources. This is essential for organizing the library's collection and facilitating easy retrieval of items. Ideally, a cataloguing system provides comprehensive and up-to-date records that include detailed bibliographic information, such as author, title, subject, and even format-specific metadata.
In a distributed cataloguing environment, this process becomes both more complex and more efficient. Systems must manage not only the entry of new items into the catalog but also ensure accurate and timely updates across distributed servers.
Some important aspects of efficient library cataloguing include:

• Standardization: Adherence to cataloguing standards like MARC or Dublin Core ensures consistency across databases.
• Interoperability: Ability to work with various library systems to share and access information easily.
• User-Friendly Interfaces: Intuitive designs that enable librarians to input data quickly and with minimal errors.

System Reliability

System reliability is a critical non-functional requirement for distributed library cataloguing systems. It refers to the system's ability to perform its intended functions consistently and accurately over time. In such systems, reliability is crucial since librarians and users depend on accurate and accessible catalog information at all times.
A reliable system ensures that even if some components or connections fail, the cataloguing processes continue seamlessly. This requires implementing measures such as:

• Redundancy: Using multiple backups of catalog data across different servers to prevent data loss.
• Error Handling: Capabilities to automatically detect, address, and log errors that may occur during cataloguing operations.
• Continuous Monitoring: Regularly observing system performance to preemptively identify and resolve potential issues.

System Scalability

System scalability refers to the ability of the library cataloguing system to handle a growing amount of work, or its potential to be enlarged to accommodate that growth. In a distributed system, scalability is crucial as libraries expand their collections over time by adding new items. This growth should not affect the performance or usability of the cataloguing system.
For a library cataloguing system, scalability can be achieved through various means, such as:

• Resource Allocation: Dynamically adjusting computational resources to match current demands.
• Modular Design: An architectural design that allows easy addition of new components or functionalities without impacting existing ones.
• Load Balancing: Distributing the workload evenly across multiple servers to ensure that no single server is overburdened.

System Security

System security is essential for protecting sensitive bibliographic information and safeguarding against unauthorized access or data breaches in a library cataloguing system.
In a distributed environment, the challenge increases due to the multiple entry points that could be potentially vulnerable to tampering or attack.
Ensuring robust security measures helps maintain the integrity and confidentiality of the catalog data. Key security strategies include:

• Data Encryption: Encrypting data both at rest and during transmission to prevent unauthorized access.
• Authentication and Authorization: Ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to certain functionalities or data within the system.
• Regular Security Audits: Conducting routine checks to identify vulnerabilities and implement necessary patches or updates.