What is replication and how does it apply to NoSQL databases?
What is replication and how does it apply to NoSQL databases?
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27-Apr-2023
Aryan Kumar
27-Apr-2023Replication is the process of copying and distributing data from one database or node to multiple other databases or nodes. It is a common technique used to improve availability, scalability, and fault tolerance of databases.
In the context of NoSQL databases, replication is a key feature that allows data to be replicated across multiple nodes in a cluster. Each node in the cluster contains a copy of the same data, which means that if one node fails, another node can continue to serve requests without interruption. This improves availability and fault tolerance, as well as reducing the risk of data loss.
There are different types of replication models used in NoSQL databases, such as master-slave and multi-master replication. In master-slave replication, one node (the master) is responsible for writing data, while the other nodes (the slaves) receive a copy of the data and can serve read requests. In multi-master replication, all nodes can both read and write data, which allows for greater scalability and flexibility.
Replication in NoSQL databases can be either synchronous or asynchronous. In synchronous replication, each write operation is confirmed only after it has been written to all nodes in the cluster. This ensures that all nodes have an up-to-date copy of the data but can negatively impact performance due to increased latency. In asynchronous replication, the write operation is confirmed after it has been written to at least one node in the cluster, which allows for better performance but may result in some data inconsistency between nodes.
Overall, replication is a crucial feature of NoSQL databases that helps ensure data availability, scalability, and fault tolerance.