Amazon patents database method that lets users read data before a leader is chosen
This filing describes a way to manage copies of a database in a distributed system. It allows users to read certain types of data from any copy immediately, without waiting for a specific 'master' copy to be selected or to coordinate the request.
In the filing’s own words
Methods and apparatus for conditional master election in a distributed database are described. A plurality of replicas of a database object are stored by a distributed database service. Some types of operations corresponding to client requests directed at the database object are to be coordinated by a master replica. Client access to the database object is enabled prior to election of a master replica. In response to a triggering condition, a particular replica is elected master. The master coordinates implementation of operations with one or more other replicas in response to client requests.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A system, comprising: one or more processors; and a memory, that stores program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the one or more processors to implement a distributed database, wherein the distributed database is configured to: store a plurality of replicas of a data at respective storage nodes of a distributed database, wherein the plurality of replicas forms a replica group that includes an elected master replica that waits for write acknowledgements from one or more non-master replicas before indicating write completion, and wherein the write acknowledgements from the one or more non-master replicas are received at the elected master replica before indicating write completion; receive, at a first non-master replica of the one or more non-master replicas, a request to read the data, wherein the request does not require coordinating with the master replica, wherein the request specifies a type of read request out of a plurality of types of read requests supported by the distributed database, wherein the specified type of read request does not require further data of a write request that completed before the request to perform the request at the first non-master replica; and respond, by the first non-master replica to the request to read the data, comprising executing the read without coordinating with the master replica.
Facts
- Company
- Amazon (Amazon Technologies, Inc.)
- Official title
- Conditional master election in distributed databases
- Patent number
- US12743446B2
- Application number
- 18314760
- Filed
- May 9, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 8
- Claims
- 18
Classified under
G06F 16/275 Physics & computingG06F 16/24565 Physics & computingG06F 16/2471 Physics & computingG06F 16/27 Physics & computingG06F 16/28 Physics & computingG06F 16/90 Physics & computingMore from Amazon in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.