This document discusses algorithms for achieving mutual exclusion in distributed systems. It describes a centralized algorithm where one process acts as a coordinator and processes request access to critical sections by sending requests to the coordinator. It also describes a token ring algorithm where a token circulates in a logical ring between processes, and only the process holding the token can access the critical section. The document compares the benefits of each algorithm, noting that the centralized algorithm maintains FIFO order while the token ring algorithm does not guarantee order but prevents starvation.