> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://isubasinghe.gitbook.io/isithas-wiki/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://isubasinghe.gitbook.io/isithas-wiki/computer_science/distributed_systems.md).

# distributed\_systems

## Basic idea

Multiple networked nodes that coordinate to appear as one system. The interesting problems all come from partial failure, asynchrony, and the absence of a global clock.

## Key formulas

* CAP: under partition, choose either consistency or availability
* FLP: no deterministic consensus in async with even one crash failure
* Quorum: $R + W > N$ ⇒ read sees most recent write
* $f$-Byzantine consensus needs $N \ge 3f+1$ nodes
