Free PDF — Engineering Reference

The Distributed Systems Cheatsheet

For Engineers Who Build Across Networks

Every distributed systems concept that matters in one place. CAP, consistency models, consensus algorithms, replication, partitioning, failure modes, idempotency, distributed transactions, observability.

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Consistency Models Linearizable, sequential, causal, eventual — with concrete examples and when each is enough.
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Consensus Demystified Raft, Paxos, Multi-Paxos, ZAB. What each does, where they're used, what they can't do.
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Failure Modes Crash-stop, omission, Byzantine, network partitions, gray failures. How real systems handle each.
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Operating at Scale Idempotency, exactly-once myths, distributed transactions, observability for split systems.

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What's Inside

Theory

  • CAP, PACELC, FLP impossibility
  • Consistency models: linearizable → eventual
  • Time and ordering: Lamport, vector clocks, hybrid
  • Failure detectors and the 'φ' algorithm

Coordination

  • Raft step-by-step (with diagrams)
  • Paxos and Multi-Paxos vs Raft
  • Leases, leadership, fencing tokens
  • Quorum math: N, W, R reasoning

Data

  • Replication: leader, multi-leader, leaderless
  • Partitioning: hash, range, consistent hashing
  • Distributed transactions: 2PC, Saga, TCC
  • Conflict resolution: LWW, CRDTs, app-level

Operate

  • Idempotency keys and dedup patterns
  • Retry, backoff, jitter, circuit breakers
  • Observability: traces, logs, RED/USE metrics
  • Chaos testing and failure injection