When network partitioning isolates cluster nodes from one another, split-brain occurs if multiple nodes unilaterally promote themselves to write-leaders. Each node processes distinct transactions, creating divergent data timelines that are mathematically irreconcilable without manual data loss.
Core Mitigation Standards:
- 1Quorum & Distributed Consensus: 3-node or 5-node topologies mandate strict majority quorum (
N/2 + 1) backends (etcd / Raft / Group Replication Paxos). Any partition falling below the majority threshold immediately revokes write privileges and transitions to read-only mode. - 2Node Fencing (STONITH): Deterministically terminating the isolated or failed primary via hardware IPMI or virtual IP demotion before a standby promotes to prevent concurrent writes.