Distributed locking

Table of Contents

What is Distributed Locking?

Distributed Locking is a technique that enhances concurrency in a distributed computing environment. (https://www.dremio.com/wiki/distributed-computing/)
It is used to regulate access to shared resources like databases, files, or network resources that are distributed across multiple nodes in a cluster.
Distributed Locking ensures that only one node at a time can change or update a shared resource. This prevents conflicting updates that can corrupt or damage data.

Distributed Locking uses a centralized locking manager called a lock server.
The lock server is responsible for maintaining a record of which nodes lock or release resources.
When a node needs to access a shared resource, it requests a lock from the lock server.
The lock server grants a lock if the resource is available.
Otherwise, the requesting node waits until the lock is released before proceeding.

Distributed Locking makes it possible for multiple nodes to access shared resources without conflict.
This is critical for businesses that depend on fast and reliable data processing and analytics. (https://www.dremio.com/wiki/data-processing/)
Distributed Locking enhances system efficiency by reducing the time spent waiting for resources to become available, making it possible to execute more transactions simultaneously.
It also improves system availability by preventing resource contention that can lead to system crashes or data corruption.
Distributing resources across multiple nodes can cause latency and delays.
Distributed Locking mitigates this risk by ensuring that nodes only access resources when necessary.

Distributed Locking is widely used in distributed computing environments that require fast and efficient data processing and analytics.

Some of the most common use cases include:

Clustered databases that require concurrent access to shared data.
In-memory data grids (IMDGs) that provide real-time access to data in a distributed environment.
Message queues that require reliable and concurrent access to shared resources.
Distributed file systems that require shared access to large volumes of data. (https://www.dremio.com/wiki/distributed-file-systems/)

Distributed Locking is often used in conjunction with other distributed computing technologies like:

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