Limitations on database availability when networks partition
Brian Coan, Brian M. Oki, Elliot K. Kolodner · 1986
Abstract : In designing fault-tolerant distributed database, a frequent goal is making the system highly available despite component failure. We examine software approaches to achieving high availability in the presence of partitions. In particular, we consider various replicated-data management protocols that maintain database consistency and attempt to increase database availability when networks partition. We conclude that no protocol does better than a bound we have determined. Our conclusions hold under the assumption. There may be some particular distribution for which specialized protocols can increase availability. (KR)