Understanding replication in databases and distributed systems

TLDR

Replication is a key area in distributed systems and databases, with solutions from both communities sharing conceptual similarities but differing in models, assumptions, mechanisms, guarantees, and implementation. The paper proposes an abstract, neutral framework for comparing replication techniques across distributed systems and database communities. The framework emphasizes the role of mechanisms and facilitates comparisons between techniques. The study compares replication techniques from both communities and identifies integration strategies for more robust protocols.

Abstract

Replication is an area of interest to both distributed systems and databases. The solutions developed from these two perspectives are conceptually similar but differ in many aspects: model, assumptions, mechanisms, guarantees provided, and implementation. In this paper, we provide an abstract and "neutral" framework to compare replication techniques from both communities. The framework has been designed to emphasize the role played by different mechanisms and to facilitate comparisons. The paper describes the replication techniques used in both communities, compares them, and points out ways in which they can be integrated to arrive to better, more robust replication protocols.