Scaling Techniques

"Scaling Up" vs. "Scaling Out"

1. Scaling up: improving capacity, e.g., increasing memory, upgrading CPUs, or replacing network modules.

2. Scaling out: expanding the distributed system by deploying more machines

Scaling Out

In particular, "scaling out" includes 3 techniques:

1. Hiding communication latencies

   • asynchronous communication

   • server check form vs. client check form

2. Partitioning and distribution

   • E.g., DNS

   • tree of domains and zones

3. Replication

   • Caching

   • Leads to consistency problems

   • OK for Web users but not OK for electronic stock exchanges and auctions