[ntp:questions] Magice Server Numbers: 4,5,7,9
unruh
unruh at wormhole.physics.ubc.ca
Fri Sep 16 06:24:40 UTC 2011
On 2011-09-16, Richard B. Gilbert <rgilbert88 at comcast.net> wrote:
> On 9/15/2011 10:34 PM, Doug Calvert wrote:
>> Hello,
>> From time to time people mention that the magic number of servers is
>> 4,5,7 and nine. However I can not find a reference or explanation for
>> the magical properties. Can anyone explain the background/basis in
>> general? And specifically how is five or seven preferable to six?
>
> Okay! It looks as if you read something I posted here.
>
> 1. A man with two clocks can never be certain what time it is!
> 2. Three clocks are the minimum necessary to get reasonably good and
> reliable time.
> 3. The weakness of three clocks is that the failure of any one clock
> leaves you with case 1.
And the failure or 2 leaves you with 1. And the failure of 3 leaves you
with nothing.
> 4. Four clocks is the minimum robust configuration.
And two clocks going wrong in the same way leaves you with case 1.
robust in what sense. As you say below, 4 is not immune to failure of 2.
> 5. Five clocks allows for two failed clocks.
But the loss of three leaves you with case 1
> 6. Seven clocks allow for the failure of three.
> Etc, etc. . . .
The only answer is to have at least 10000000000001 clocks although that
is also not foolproof:-)
You decide what safety you want, and get enough backup to get that
safety.
>
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