How to Fix Common scaling challenges in distributed systems?

Introduction

Date : 21th April 2025 Original Source:(https://medium.com/@mukesh.ram/how-to-fix-common-scaling-challenges-in-distributed-systems-0ec81e673b00) In any ideal software product engineering service, managing a distributed system efficiently is a milestone because it comes with significant challenges. As time flows, data volumes increase within a system, making static processing with a limited tech stack more difficult.

Common scalability issues in software development are thus born out of such situations. If not controlled, it can become worse for your system by impacting its performance, reliability, and consistency. This blog will cover similar aspects and will uncover the solutions to fix them!

What is a Distributed System?

A distributed system is a collective set of independent servers and digital devices. Together, they intercommunicate with each other through message communication to complete a task.

All these servers collaborate as a single system, managing the tasks independently. Common tasks could be managing a complex system or availing a web service, etc.

Working of a Distributed System

• Each node (system/server) can be located at any point globally and performs a specific set of tasks.
• Nodes connected via different hardware configurations and operating systems can communicate with other nodes to share every piece of information, promoting system flexibility.

Though distributed systems are easier to scale, as they process large data volumes in minimal time, their challenges vary and may affect data processing if not addressed on time.

What is Product Scalability in a Distributed System?

Product scalability in a distributed system is defined by developing a system to handle larger data volumes. Any system in its initial stage needs to expand to accommodate more user demand and data processing needs. Mainly, there are two distinct ways to scale a distributed system—

• *Vertical Scaling—*This is mostly utilized by monoliths or systems in their early stage when they are not as complex and when they grow big.
• *Horizontal Scaling—*Widely adopted by businesses implementing microservice architecture scalability within their system.

There's always a funnier way to write blogs! Presenting you the sarcastic scalability signs your application needs to scale.