How is Raft used in distributed systems?

What is Raft and how does it work in distributed systems?

Raft is a consensus algorithm designed to manage a replicated log. It ensures that multiple nodes in a distributed system agree on the same sequence of operations.

Why is Raft preferred over Paxos?

Raft is often preferred because it is easier to understand and implement compared to Paxos, while still providing strong consistency.

Can you explain the leader election process in Raft?

Sure! In Raft, a leader is elected through a voting process. Nodes become candidates and request votes from other nodes. The first to receive a majority wins.

What are some real-world applications of Raft?

Raft is used in various systems like etcd, Consul, and RethinkDB for managing distributed state and configuration.

How does Raft handle network partitions?

Raft can handle network partitions by ensuring that only the leader can commit entries. If a partition occurs, the leader will wait for the majority to be available to continue operations.