Quorum State Store for Reliable Remote Procedure Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed network computing, existing RPC mechanisms face challenges in ensuring high availability and redundancy, particularly in scenarios where direct communication between nodes is unreliable or unavailable, leading to potential data inconsistencies and failures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a quorum state store that allows nodes to share a common view of state information, enabling remote procedure calls (RPCs) to be executed even without direct connectivity between nodes, using a shared state store that propagates updates and maintains eventual consistency through heartbeat messages and version numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional RPC mechanisms are used in distributed networks, then basic remote procedure calls can be made, but availability and reliability deteriorate when direct node communication is unreliable or unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The quorum state store acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables nodes to communicate and execute RPCs without requiring direct connectivity between them. Instead of direct peer-to-peer communication, nodes interact through the quorum state store which mediates state propagation and RPC coordination, ensuring reliability even when direct communication paths fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The quorum state store serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains shared state information, propagates updates across nodes, enables RPC requests and responses, and ensures consistency through heartbeat messages and version numbers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate communication mechanisms, improving overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If additional communication layers are added to improve RPC availability, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quorum state store performs multiple functions within a single unified structure: storing state information, propagating updates, handling RPC requests and responses, and maintaining consistency through heartbeat messages and version numbers. This eliminates the need for separate communication layers while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges RPC communication functionality with the existing quorum state store infrastructure. Instead of adding separate communication layers, the RPC mechanisms are integrated into the state store's update and propagation operations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high availability.
3Reliability
If nodes operate without direct connectivity, then availability improves in unreliable networks, but data consistency challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The quorum state store uses feedback mechanisms through heartbeat messages and version numbers to track changes and ensure consistency. Nodes continuously receive feedback about state updates and can reconcile their local views with the quorum state, maintaining data consistency even without direct connectivity between all nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the quorum state store as the source of truth and pre-configuring update propagation rules. When nodes need to synchronize, they can do so by retrieving state information from the quorum state store rather than requiring direct peer-to-peer communication, ensuring consistency while maintaining availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and non-transitory computer readable medium are disclosed to regarding remote procedure call (RPC) functionality from a requestor node to a processing node using a quorum state store communication protocol. Records from a quorum state store may be augmented to include an indication of both the processing node and the requestor node; remote procedure call (RPC) request information; and information including RPC coordination information. Heartbeat messages may propagate updated quorum state store records throughout the quorum. Requestor nodes and processing nodes may perform requested functions and supply status information via updates to their own quorum state store records. Quorum state store records may be propagated throughout the quorum even when direct communication between requestor nodes and processing nodes may not be available.