Master-Slave Architecture
1. Introduction
The Master-Slave Architecture is a design pattern that facilitates the distribution of workload across multiple systems or components. It typically consists of a Master node that controls one or more Slave nodes. The Master node handles requests and distributes tasks, while the Slave nodes execute the tasks and report back to the Master.
2. Key Concepts
- Master: The central component that manages and coordinates the tasks among the Slave nodes.
- Slave: The components that perform the tasks assigned by the Master and return results.
- Communication: The interaction between Master and Slave nodes can be synchronous or asynchronous.
Note: Master-Slave architecture is commonly used in databases, caching systems, and distributed computing.
3. Implementation
Implementing a Master-Slave architecture involves the following steps:
- Define the roles: Identify which components will act as Master and which will act as Slaves.
- Establish communication: Set up communication protocols (e.g., HTTP, TCP) for data exchange.
- Task distribution: Implement a mechanism for the Master to distribute tasks to the Slaves.
- Result collection: Ensure the Master can collect results from the Slaves and handle errors.
Code Example
class Master {
constructor() {
this.slaves = [];
}
addSlave(slave) {
this.slaves.push(slave);
}
distributeTask(task) {
this.slaves.forEach(slave => {
slave.performTask(task);
});
}
}
class Slave {
performTask(task) {
console.log(`Performing task: ${task}`);
// Simulate result
return `${task} completed`;
}
}
// Example usage
const master = new Master();
const slave1 = new Slave();
const slave2 = new Slave();
master.addSlave(slave1);
master.addSlave(slave2);
master.distributeTask("Data Processing");
4. Best Practices
- Ensure fault tolerance: Implement mechanisms to handle Slave failures.
- Load balancing: Distribute tasks evenly among Slaves to prevent bottlenecks.
- Monitoring: Continuously monitor the health and performance of Master and Slave nodes.
5. FAQ
What are the advantages of Master-Slave architecture?
It provides better scalability, performance, and can improve the reliability of systems by distributing workloads.
Are there any disadvantages to consider?
Single point of failure at the Master node and potential latency in communication between nodes.