What are coherence protocols in distributed systems?

What are coherence protocols in distributed systems?

Coherence protocols ensure that multiple copies of data in distributed systems remain consistent. They manage how updates are propagated.

Can you explain the different types of coherence protocols?

Sure! There are several types, including strict, sequential, and eventual coherence protocols, each with different consistency guarantees.

What are the trade-offs between these protocols?

The trade-offs often involve performance versus consistency. For example, strict coherence provides strong consistency but can be slower.

How do these protocols affect system performance?

They can significantly impact performance; stricter protocols may lead to higher latency, while looser ones can improve speed but risk inconsistency.

Can you give an example of a system using coherence protocols?

Certainly! Distributed databases like Google Spanner use coherence protocols to maintain consistency across their distributed architecture.