Flernodenettverk

Flernodenettverk is a term used to describe a multi-node network architecture in which processing, data storage, and control functions are distributed across many interconnected nodes. The goal is to improve resilience, scalability, and resource utilization compared with centralized networks.

Nodes communicate using a chosen protocol stack, supporting peer-to-peer or partially centralized control planes. Design options include data replication, consensus to maintain a coherent state, and partition-tolerant messaging. Timing may be synchronous or asynchronous, with varying consistency guarantees from strong to eventual.

Key characteristics include redundancy, horizontal scalability, dynamic topology, and data locality to reduce latency. The network is typically designed to tolerate node failures and adapt as nodes join or leave.

Applications include distributed databases, edge computing, sensor and IoT networks, and other large-scale services that require continuous availability and geographic distribution. Such networks are often considered for use cases where single points of failure must be avoided and where resources are geographically dispersed.

Challenges involve network partitions, coordination overhead, latency variability, security, and management complexity. Design decisions frequently balance trade-offs between consistency, availability, and partition tolerance, as described in related distributed-system literature.

See also: distributed systems, peer-to-peer networks, edge computing, consensus algorithms, distributed databases.