What is the difference between quorum and majority in replication?

What is the difference between quorum and majority in replication?

In replication, a quorum is the minimum number of nodes that must agree on a value for it to be considered valid, while a majority refers to more than half of the nodes. Quorum can be less than a majority, allowing for more flexible consensus.

Can you give an example of how quorum works in a distributed system?

Sure! In a distributed database with 5 nodes, a quorum might require 3 nodes to agree on a transaction. If 3 nodes confirm the transaction, it is accepted, even if 2 nodes are down.

What are the advantages of using quorum over majority?

Using quorum can improve availability and performance, as it allows for decisions to be made even with some nodes down, while majority requires more nodes to be operational.

Are there any scenarios where majority is preferred?

Yes, majority is often preferred in scenarios where strong consistency is required, as it ensures that more than half of the nodes agree, reducing the risk of split-brain situations.